This is strictly autobiographical – this is Paul Simon talking about himself, not a bit of fiction to it.
Paul Simon explains how three times in his life were linked together, with the first two thematically linked to the third.
Johnny Ace (a stage name, of course) was someone Simon didn't know that well, but noted with sadness and got to know a bit after his death.
The Beatles (and Stones) were more Simon's time, and obviously great inspirations to him.
The third event, in 1980, is what Simon really wanted to comment upon – how he felt when he heard the news about John Lennon's death. The two earlier passages are the setup for it. In this case, unlike the 1954 case, Simon cared very deeply about the deceased, and his death was untimely and shocking. Now, a capable and celebrated musician himself, Simon's response was to go to a bar – obviously anywhere he arrived would welcome him – and play music to console himself and honor Lennon. And he feels that the stage name of the older musician, "Johnny Ace," is appropriate for Lennon, in the sense of an ace, as in cards, being the highest ranking member of a set.
That's the payoff of the song, to give John Lennon that name, the affectionate "Johnny" instead of his given name, and "Ace" to proclaim his greatness. The first portion of the song warmly remembers the man who had that as his stage name, but at the end of the song, it's Lennon who is remembered by Simon as the late, great Johnny Ace.
You're absolutely right, Will26. Two other things I didn't know/notice when I posted my first comment:
1) All three Johnnys were shot. Johnny Ace shot himself. The other two cases, we all know.
2) "The Late Great Johnny Ace" was the title of a biography written about Johnny Ace.
You're absolutely right, Will26. Two other things I didn't know/notice when I posted my first comment:
1) All three Johnnys were shot. Johnny Ace shot himself. The other two cases, we all know.
2) "The Late Great Johnny Ace" was the title of a biography written about Johnny Ace.
This is strictly autobiographical – this is Paul Simon talking about himself, not a bit of fiction to it.
Paul Simon explains how three times in his life were linked together, with the first two thematically linked to the third.
Johnny Ace (a stage name, of course) was someone Simon didn't know that well, but noted with sadness and got to know a bit after his death.
The Beatles (and Stones) were more Simon's time, and obviously great inspirations to him.
The third event, in 1980, is what Simon really wanted to comment upon – how he felt when he heard the news about John Lennon's death. The two earlier passages are the setup for it. In this case, unlike the 1954 case, Simon cared very deeply about the deceased, and his death was untimely and shocking. Now, a capable and celebrated musician himself, Simon's response was to go to a bar – obviously anywhere he arrived would welcome him – and play music to console himself and honor Lennon. And he feels that the stage name of the older musician, "Johnny Ace," is appropriate for Lennon, in the sense of an ace, as in cards, being the highest ranking member of a set.
That's the payoff of the song, to give John Lennon that name, the affectionate "Johnny" instead of his given name, and "Ace" to proclaim his greatness. The first portion of the song warmly remembers the man who had that as his stage name, but at the end of the song, it's Lennon who is remembered by Simon as the late, great Johnny Ace.
Just noticed the third Johnny is JFK (John F Kennedy)
Just noticed the third Johnny is JFK (John F Kennedy)
You're absolutely right, Will26. Two other things I didn't know/notice when I posted my first comment: 1) All three Johnnys were shot. Johnny Ace shot himself. The other two cases, we all know. 2) "The Late Great Johnny Ace" was the title of a biography written about Johnny Ace.
You're absolutely right, Will26. Two other things I didn't know/notice when I posted my first comment: 1) All three Johnnys were shot. Johnny Ace shot himself. The other two cases, we all know. 2) "The Late Great Johnny Ace" was the title of a biography written about Johnny Ace.