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Great Lives

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Factual: Life Stories

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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Great Lives: John Lennon

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John Lennon

BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, John Lennon

John Lennon is the life nominated by writer John Harris. Matthew Parris presents.

Cultural commentator, John Harris champions singer John Lennon. With Matthew Parris and expert witness Barry Miles. From 2010. 

Journalist John Harris, author of influential books on music, politics and popular culture, was born just as the Beatles were splitting up.

He was aged only 11 when John Lennon died. Yet Lennon's mischievous anti-establishment position - and the richness of his lyrics and music - makes him Harris's nomination for a Great Life.

Matthew Parris tries to define what it is that makes this enigmatic, often difficult figure an inspiring subject for reflection. 

The expert witness is Barry Miles, in whose London gallery John first met Yoko in the mid 1960s.

Producer:  Christine Hall 

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2010.

*** Broadcast as part of 4 Extra's Fab 4 season marking the 60th anniversary of the Beatles first universal chart number 1, From Me To You, in May 1963.

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