John Lennon
A rock icon who co-wrote and sang on Bowie's first US number one single.
John Lennon was a legendary musician and songwriter who collaborated with David Bowie on the 1975 song "Fame." As a former member of the Beatles, Lennon contributed to the song's creation during a one-day session at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975. He came up with the hook when he started to sing "aim" over a guitar riff developed by Carlos Alomar, which Bowie turned into "Fame." Lennon's voice is heard interjecting the falsetto "Fame" throughout the song. According to Bowie, Lennon was the "energy" and the "inspiration" for "Fame," which is why he received a co-writing credit. Lennon also played rhythm guitar on Bowie's cover of "Across the Universe" during the same sessions.
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- John Winston Lennon
- Birth Date
- 1940-10-09
- Birth Place
- Liverpool, England
- Death Date
- 1980-12-08
- Death Place
- New York City, US
- Death Cause
- Gunshot wounds
- Resting Place
- Cremated; ashes scattered in Central Park, New York City
- Education
- Liverpool College of Art
- Occupation
- Singer · songwriter · musician · author · artist · peace activist
- Years Active
- 1956–1980
- Spouse
- Cynthia Powell · 23 August 1962 · 8 November 1968 · 20 March 1969
- Partner
- May Pang (1973–1975)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The collaboration between John Lennon and David Bowie occurred during Lennon's "lost weekend" period of estrangement from Yoko Ono, shortly after he reunited with her. The pair jammed together, leading to the session at Electric Lady Studios. There, Carlos Alomar had developed a guitar riff for Bowie's cover of "Footstompin'" by the Flares, which Bowie thought was "a waste" to give to a cover. Lennon, who was in the studio with them, came up with the hook when he started to sing "aim" over the riff, which Bowie turned into "Fame." According to Marc Spitz, Bowie wrote the rest of the lyrics to the song with Lennon. However, according to biographer Peter Doggett, Lennon made the "briefest lyrical contributions" that was "enough" to give him co-writing credit. Lennon stated in a 1980 interview: "We took some Stevie Wonder middle eight and did it backwards, you know, and we made a record out of it!"
Reader's Guide
John Lennon's role in David Bowie's career is defined by their collaboration on the 1975 song "Fame." Lennon co-wrote the song with Bowie and Carlos Alomar, providing the hook by singing "aim" over a guitar riff. He also sang falsetto interjections of "Fame" throughout the track. The song was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975, during Lennon's "lost weekend" period. Lennon's contributions were described by Bowie as the "energy" and "inspiration" for the song. "Fame" became Bowie's first number 1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100, displacing "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell during the week of 20 September 1975.
Did You Know?
- John Lennon came up with the hook for "Fame" by singing "aim" over a guitar riff developed by Carlos Alomar.
- Lennon's falsetto in "Fame" expands three octaves, from 'Yoko Ono soprano' to 'Johnny Cash basso profundo'.
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