John Lennon - Ned Rupp
John Lennon is, without question, one of the most fascinating people of the last century. The fact that he stuck with his mission of spreading peace through the world, even though his cause brought great danger to himself and his family from the U.S. government, is something that I greatly admire about him, almost more than his musical successes. He could have simply retired and been remembered by his hugely successful musical career, and his place in history as one of the most influential artists of all time, but instead took it as his initiative to become a political activist and help stop the casualties from continuing in the Vietnam War. He was the leader that everyone needed in the era of the "counter-culture", and was perfectly fit for the job; he was able to spread his message through music which everyone was already accustomed to and loved, and which was popular enough to be aired on every major radio station around the world. He was one of the most popular figures of the time, and was greatly respected by the younger generations; they listened to him. He recognized, but ignored, the fact that the FBI was following his every action. He knew that Hoover and Nixon had him in their crosshairs. He knew that every time he made a new song, or appeared at an anti-war rally, his life was in danger. Still he continued with his cause, and he made a great difference in stopping a war which continued to cause more casualties every day. He encouraged people to vote and to state their opinions, rather than what the government wanted them to say. This is why to me he is one of the most influential people of the last 100 years.