“John Lennon ain’t no revolutionary”: ‘The Beatles’ Star Was Not Happy After Todd Rundgren Called Him a “F*cking Idiot”
In the luminous and masterful world of Pop culture where artists are known for their exceptional voices and talents, one name stands out the most, John Lennon, a vital member of the renowned band The Beatles, and his impact extended far beyond music to include social action and change. However, being one of the most influential individuals the singer was not exempt from disagreements and disputes.
Todd Rundgren, a fellow musician with whom John Lennon had disagreements, notoriously called him an idiot This unexpected encounter highlights the complexity of Lennon’s revolutionary identity as well as the inherent human complications in even the most famous of partnerships. It also illuminates the depth of Lennon’s rebellious persona.
John Lennon’s Unexpected Friction with Todd Rundgren
With no less than 24 studio albums to his credit, Todd Rundgren is a talented multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, and record producer, who once got into a high-profile public argument with John Lennon. Rundgren found himself on a promotional tour in 1974, right after the publication of his well-acclaimed experimental record Todd, to sell a few more copies. As a consequence, the artist agreed to an interview about his recent work with Melody Maker. John Lennon, the man of the hour and former Beatle, was soon on Rundgren’s tongue when he failed to stay on subject.
“John Lennon ain’t no revolutionary”. “He’s a fucking idiot, man. Shouting about revolution and acting like an ass. It just makes people feel uncomfortable.”
Later on, the topic of the former Beatle came up, and Rundgren wasn’t willing to hold back from giving him a harsh evaluation of his personality. However, Lennon took it upon himself to answer Rundgren by penning an open letter addressed to “Sodd Runtlestuntle” and making not-so-subtle jabs throughout, including the accusation that Rundgren had plagiarized a song produced by the Beatles. Lennon was perpetually quick-witted in response to adversity.
Reason Behind the Strained Relationship Between John Lennon and Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren and John Lennon had a spat over promoting peace in the 1970s. Tensions were raised when Rundgren questioned Lennon’s motivations. Rundgren compared Lennon to Richard Nixon and accused them of being opportunistic. His cover of Rock and Roll Pussy subtly refuted Lennon’s position. In his creative letter of retort, Lennon dubbed Rundgren “Sodd Runtlestuntle” and dismantled his claims. This struggle of values and egos revealed their divergent perspectives on honesty and attentiveness, leaving a deep effect.
Their enduring musical legacy shined through throughout the strife. Despite having different styles, they had a big impact on the music of the 1970s. Intricate artistic dynamics were on display in Rundgren’s collaborations with other Beatles members, particularly his participation in Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band. A monument to how Lennon and Rundgren’s artistic endeavors established an era of timeless masterpieces when disagreements subsided was the music’s indisputable influence.
Source: Far Out Magazine
