Lady Gaga Angers Beatles Fans

Lady Gaga Photo Irks Beatles Fans
Posted Mon Jul 12, 2010 2:21pm PDT by Liana Maeby in Stop The Presses!

Lady Gaga's stirring up controversy yet again -- but this time all she did was play a little piano. A photo of the "Bad Romance" crooner seated at John Lennon's famous white Steinway recently hit the Web, and Beatles fans are up in arms.

John's son Sean Lennon posted the photo on Twitter with the caption: "With gaga at mom's house, she's belting on the white piano..." The instrument was a gift from The Beatles' frontman to Sean's mother, Yoko Ono, and it sits out in the open at Yoko's home.

In the pic, the singer wears typically skimpy Gaga-gear (a skintight body suit and thigh-high fishnets) while singing and tickling away at the keys. The image drew an outcry from some Beatles fans who considered Gaga unworthy of the iconic instrument.

One fan responded to Sean's Twitpic, saying, "WHY WOULD YOU LET LADY GAGA PLAY ON JOHN'S PIANO? I'm disappointed. >:("

To which the youngest Lennon replied, "pianos meant are to be played. Why is everyone so uptight? What should we do, lock it away in a dusty room? So judgmental..."

Sean eventually took the photo down and used his Twitter page to once again respond to the criticisms, saying, "Firstly, he gave that piano to my mother for her birthday, it is hers, secondly, he was not uptight the way you seem to be," adding, "Come on, lighten up...life's too short, there're enough real problems in the world...."

Lady Gaga may not have attained John Lennon's cult status yet, but she certainly knows how to play a piano. The pop star was classically trained in the instrument from the age of 4, to prodigal results. Gaga began giving concerts in elementary school and wrote her first keyboard ballad at 13 . The Lady continued her musical education through college, majoring in the subject at NYU.

The "Paparazzi" superstar is also a noted fan of John Lennon and The Beatles. While performing at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in 2009, Gaga played Lennon's 1971 sensation "Imagine."

The song was meant as a tribute to the fallen heroes of the gay rights movement, Gaga explained, stating, "I'm not going to play one of my songs tonight, because tonight is not about me." Angry Beatles fanatics aside, it sure seems she's earned her place at those famous keys.

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I can't stand Lady Gaga at all. That said, it's not like she broke in the Dakota with a crowbar, shoved Yoko to the ground and started playing the piano. Lighten up folks, geez.

I don't see why people are so up in arms about this.

It's Yoko's piano, (it was given to her by John) she's free to let whoever she wants touch it (or not touch it).

Plus, as Sean says Pianos ARE meant to be played. And a Steinway? That's a top of the line make of piano...what is she supposed to do, never ever touch it, let it get dusty and go out of tune as the years go by?

Gaga isn't too bad, not really. Her songs are pretty catchy, and she's got a pretty good voice. Sure, she's not the most amazing musician to come along, but she isn't the worst either. And at least she puts effort into being entertaining.
Also, the girl has talent. If you look at some of her pre-fame stuff, it's a lot less commercial and mainstream.

Finally, what an honour, for ANY musician to play a piano that John Lennon must have used?

Let's take a step back for a moment... what's the big deal?

What is the objection to Lady Gaga playing this instrument? She is a little strange, sure, but she's uber-talented. She's a top-selling artist, but she's respected within the artistic community for her music and her fashion sense. But that's not the point. I wouldn't even be upset if someone like Miley Cyrus was photographed playing that Steinway. It's not my place to get upset! It's none of my freakin' business!!! Like Pepperland Kamer said, it's not like she broke into the place to play it. She was invited in, and was obviously granted permission to play the piano. And what an honour!!!

Where in the world do we get off telling other people what they can and cannot do with their possessions? How can anyone justify being so protective of someone or something? Is it really that horrible? Can anyone justify getting upset over a beautiful musical instrument, once (and still) owned by a beautiful human being, being played beautifully by someone who not only owes a debt of thanks to The Beatles but who obviously respects and admires them and who is in turn fairly well-respected as a musician in her own right?

I don't think John would approve of all this nonsense...

Is it the fact the piano was played that is angering everyone, or is it just because the player was Lady Gaga? I don't believe that it was last played by John before Gaga, its history has not been tarnished but now extended. Despite the fate of Gaga's career and remembrance, it may actually add value to the piano.

I wonder if Gaga asked to play it, or if Yoko invited her in?

I think part of the anger may come from the disapproval of some for Lady Gaga's slightly outlandish style. I do know some people think she's an overplayed pop star, and may not "deserve" to be playing on the same instrument and compared to the talent of John?

I do hope she felt it was an honor to be in the home of our former Beatle, and to play on such a beautiful piano that was once played by one of the greatest performers in music history.

Who cares? Play away. It's just a piano. Wonder how many of those 'outraged' fans would strum John's Rickenbacker if given the chance?

How DARE her! She actually played JOHN'S piano. OMG, what is this world coming to?

Seriously, some folks need to get lobotomies. I agree with all of the previous posters except for #1 and the comment about Gaga actually ADDING to the value of the piano? It belongs(ed) to John & Yoko, it doesn't get more valuable than that!

Originally Posted by Maggie Mae

I don't think John would approve of all this nonsense...

If John was here he'd probably be a fan - if not of her music then at least of her irreverence!

Actually the piano only holds sentimental value for now until it is sold, then it would be up to the buyer to really determine its value and whether or not Gaga's moment on it devalues it or adds to it.

You mean she can actually play and sing?

Originally Posted by Miss Nani Moonlight

to tell you the truth, i am mad. like, really, really, really, really, REALLY mad. but i applaud Sean for handling it so well. if i were him and she came into my house wanting to play my deceased father's famous piano, things would have gone bad pretty quickly.

i don't know how Sean was able to pass it off so nonchalantly.

Sean's probably the one who invited her to the apartment in the first place..

people getting mad at a 'strange, Eccentric and highly talented woman "messing" with Johns music/piano again..sounds all to familiar.

Originally Posted by bobdude

Who cares? Play away. It's just a piano. Wonder how many of those 'outraged' fans would strum John's Rickenbacker if given the chance?

haha, too true, too true

I think the reason people are so mad about this is that they think that John and any iconic image that attaches to him belongs to THEM and is sacred to THEM and that they hold the rights over that - even more so than his own family. I can understand the "she's not worthy" way of thinking but to absolutely play up and message Sean about it and start a big thing like this is just stupid.

I don't like Gaga but I'm not furious about this - I'm jealous I guess! She was clearly a guest there and had permission to play it - so much so that Sean actually took a picture of her doing so. So what's the problem? I guess it comes back to the "she's not worthy" thing.

Also Gaga would have realised that it was something of an honour to play that piano - she is such a John fan that she has that peace sign tattoo on her wrist in memory of him.

after reading the responses i suppose you all are right. at first i was initially angry because i didnt think about the situation in the right light. now i realize it IS yoko's piano; she can do what she wants with it. plus, i guess she was an invited guest.

i'm pretty much over it now, and i regret being angry in the first place. and as someone said, if john were here to see her, i just bet he'd be a fan.

Originally Posted by In My Life

You mean she can actually play and sing?

Well yes, and write her own songs as well. I'd say she is one of the most talanted artists around nowadays, it doesn't always translate in the released songs tho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laIr_...eature=related

I agree these fan reactions don't make sense.

what do they mean by his famous white piano. Is this the Imagine one? i thought george michael bought that.

You got the famous white one from the video clip, and the one he actually played "imagine" on.

Whomever owns or has owned it, an instrument is still just an instrument, isn't it? The real inspiration to Imagine and any other Lennon song came from his mind and heart, not from some well crafted piece of equipment.

Originally Posted by In My Life

You mean she can actually play and sing?

exactly, was gonna' say.

Originally Posted by bobdude

Who cares? Play away. It's just a piano. Wonder how many of those 'outraged' fans would strum John's Rickenbacker if given the chance?

yeah i kinda' see your point, except i wouldn't be dressed like a tart, or have a uber-dorky look on my face.