Before his tragic death, John Lennon gave a chilling warning to Bruce Springsteen about the pitfalls of fame.
Lennon had a tumultuous relationship with the music industry, and he became acutely aware of the public's fickle perception and demands of successful artists.
He lamented how his solo track "From Me to You" was criticized as being "below-par Beatles," which made him realize the pressure to constantly deliver hit songs.
Lennon's experience with negative criticism led him to worry about the future of rising stars like Springsteen, who were still ascending to their career peak.
He warned Springsteen that once the public decided he was no longer "God," they would turn on him.
Lennon advised Springsteen to be prepared to face his own success and grow older, as the public would demand he produce hit after hit.
Lennon was a fan of Springsteen's music, but he recognized the challenges of navigating fame.
He drew parallels between his own experiences and those of other successful artists like Mick Jagger, noting that the cycle of "up and down" can be relentless.
Lennon expressed his disinterest in being a "dead fucking hero," foreshadowing the tragic events that would unfold just days later with his own untimely death.
Explore Lennon's insights into the music industry and his advice for future artists.