John Lennon, the iconic Beatles legend, was known for his bold personality, outspoken opinions, and his candid approach to discussing everything from politics to music. While Lennon was instrumental in shaping the sound of modern rock with The Beatles, he didn’t hold back when it came to voicing his feelings about other popular bands of his time. Some bands he openly criticized, while others, he simply dismissed as “unoriginal” or “phonies.”
Here are the top 6 bands that John Lennon despised or at least expressed serious dislike for:
1. The Rolling Stones
Perhaps the most famous rivalry in rock history was between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Despite the fact that both bands were on top of the music world during the 1960s, John Lennon didn’t hold back in expressing his disdain for Mick Jagger and his bandmates. Lennon was particularly critical of the Stones’ persona and what he perceived as their lack of originality.
“The Rolling Stones? They’re just the Beatles’ rivals. I don’t think they were that creative. They tried to be like us, but they were never as original.” — John Lennon
This rivalry came to a head when the Beatles were still active, and Lennon was especially vocal about his frustration with how the Stones would often try to imitate their sound. Although Lennon later mellowed somewhat on this, his early remarks showed just how much he thought of them as “wannabes” rather than trailblazers.
2. The Monkees
The Monkees were a pop band that was created for a TV show, and despite their popularity, Lennon didn’t hold back in expressing his opinion about them. He felt that the band was a manufactured act with little substance. This sentiment was shared by many in The Beatles’ circle, who saw The Monkees as a “corporate” imitation of a real band. Lennon didn’t mince words when it came to calling them out.
“They don’t write their own songs. They’re the perfect pop group, but there’s no feeling in it. They don’t have the depth that a real band has. They’re just actors pretending to be a band.” — John Lennon
Lennon was especially critical of the fact that The Monkees’ success was built on their image rather than genuine artistic talent. His feelings on the matter were evident in “The Beatles Anthology,” where he expressed that they were “manufactured” and “plastic.”
3. The Beach Boys
While John Lennon respected The Beach Boys for their early work, he was highly critical of Brian Wilson’s later albums, especially “Pet Sounds”. Lennon was not impressed by the fact that Wilson’s work, particularly after the album, was seen as a more artistic, experimental direction. He felt that Wilson was being overhyped as a creative genius.
“They get so much credit for doing what we were already doing. It’s just a continuation of what The Beatles were doing, and they made it out to be something brand new. The Beach Boys? I think we had more soul than them.” — John Lennon
He also found some of Wilson’s obsession with perfectionism in the studio to be too much, and the comparisons between the two groups only fueled Lennon’s frustration. While he admitted Brian Wilson was talented, he made it clear that he didn’t think the Beach Boys deserved all the praise they received after The Beatles’ rise to fame.
4. The Byrds
Although The Byrds were often seen as pioneers of folk-rock, Lennon wasn’t exactly a fan. He found their music to be derivative of the style that The Beatles had popularized, especially when it came to their sound on songs like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and their use of 12-string guitars. Lennon believed that The Byrds’ sound was simply an imitationof the music The Beatles had already mastered.
“They’re copying our style. I don’t see anything that makes them stand out. It’s just another version of us. The Byrds? I don’t get it. They’re not really doing anything original.” — John Lennon
Though he admitted that The Byrds were talented, Lennon couldn’t help but feel that their success was a product of The Beatles’ own influence.
5. The Doors
While John Lennon never shied away from criticizing his contemporaries, The Doors and their frontman Jim Morrisonwere frequent targets. Lennon was especially frustrated by the band’s pseudo-poetic image, finding it to be a bit too theatrical for his tastes. He was also very critical of Morrison’s arrogance and narcissistic tendencies.
“The Doors were too pretentious. Jim Morrison thought he was some kind of mystical poet, and I didn’t buy into it. It was all smoke and mirrors. I don’t think they had the same depth we had.” — John Lennon
While The Doors had their share of fans and cultural impact, Lennon saw them as overly self-indulgent, and their self-important persona rubbed him the wrong way. He preferred more grounded, authentic music, which he felt was something The Beatles and other bands brought to the scene, in contrast to the overblown artistry that Morrison and The Doors represented.
6. The Moody Blues
Though The Moody Blues had a massive following, John Lennon wasn’t particularly impressed with their progressive rock sound. The band was known for their grandiose approach to music, with symphonic influences and conceptual albums, which Lennon often described as “too over the top” for his taste. He didn’t connect with their grandiose nature and felt it lacked the simplicity and raw energy he valued.
“The Moody Blues? It’s all very nice, but I don’t see the need for all that pomp and ceremony. We had more fun with simple things, and I think that’s what music is really about.” — John Lennon
Lennon’s more stripped-back, honest approach to music and life made him skeptical of bands that embraced such complex and elaborate stage presentations, and he viewed The Moody Blues’ style as an attempt to be more grandiosethan necessary.