John F. Kennedy remembered in rock

It was 50 years ago today November 22, 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  It was a blow felt by everyone.  The music industry was no exception.

Here then, is but a partial playlist of songs influenced by the John F. Kennedy assassinationâ€"John F. Kennedy remembered in rock:

“The Warmth of the Sun”â€"The Beach Boys: This was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love and included on their 1964 platter Shut Down Volume 2 as well as the flipside of the “Dance, Dance, Dance” single.  It was a tribute to JFK although it never mentions him directly.

“He Was a Friend of Mine”â€"The Byrds: This was a traditional folk song that was rewritten by Roger McGuinn to lament Kennedy’s death.  It was featured on the band’s 1965 LP Turn! Turn! Turn! .  McGuinn recalls in an interview: “I wrote the song the night John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  The arrangement used was as I’d always sung it.”

“Crucifixion”â€"Phil Ochs: Ochs wrote the song in 1966.  In it he compares President Kennedy’s life to that of Jesus Christ.  It was released as a single in 1967 and he once said it is “the greatest song I’ve ever written”.

“Sympathy For The Devil”â€"The Rolling Stones:   This was co-composed by Mick Jagger.  It’s the lead-in to their 1968 album Beggars Banquet.  The lyrics had to be changed because Robert Kennedy was assassinated.  The line was changed from the singular “Who killed Kennedy?” to the plural.

“God”â€"John Lennon:  Written by Lennon, this is off his first solo project, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.  Released in late 1970, the song includes a list of icons, ideas and idols in which he could no longer “believe”.  The list included The Beatles, Jesus Christ, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley and Kennedy.

“Jackie Onassis”â€"Human Sexual Response: This is by the now defunct new wave band.  It’s off their 1980 release Fig 14.  It was one of their first songs to garner more than college airplay and is (obviously) named after Kennedy’s widow.

“Seconds”â€"Human League:  This is a mood piece written by Phillip Oakey.  It’s featured on the group’s 1981 release Dare.

“The Day John Kennedy Died”â€"Lou Reed: This is off his 1982 disc The Blue Mask.  In a recent interview Reed reported his lyrics describe “literally exactly what happened. It was just a terrible time . . (it had) a terrible affect that lasted a long time.”

“The Late Great Johnny Ace”â€"Paul Simon: Simon wrote this for his 1983 Hearts and Bones release.  In it he sings of both John Lennon and Kennedy.  “It was the year of the Beatles / It was the year of the Stones / A year after JFK.”

“We Didn’t Start The Fire”â€"Billy Joel: This tune is off his 1989 album Storm Front. In it he races through decades of historical headlines from 1949 to May of 1989 including the assassination of Kennedy.

This is but a partial list of songs remembering a man whose legacy influenced the world and whose death was felt across the globe.  John F. Kennedy, 35^th President of the United States, born may 29, 1917â€"assassinated November 22, 1963.  R.I.P. J.F.K.

(Image courtesy of Mirror.co.uk)