[Lennon inspires new generation]

On this day 25 years ago arguably one of the greatest songwriters of the last 50 years was murdered. His influence on music is still being felt even to this day. This article highlights Lennon's influence on the next generation of musicians/songwriters and discusses a real life "School of Rock" class led by a Rush fan.

A quarter century after his death, John Lennon continues to inspire a new generation of rock fans, most of whom learned about him by listening to their parents' records.

For proof, look no further than Carmel High School. That's where Spanish teacher Paul Lobbee advises the Carmel High Rock Club, a group of about 30 students, most of them musicians, united by their love of the music that flourished in the 1960s and 1970s.

"John Lennon and the Beatles are pretty much responsible for the whole rock culture," said Pat Mitchell, a 17-year-old senior. "Without John Lennon and the Beatles, I probably wouldn't be playing guitar."

Junior Devin Brown, who plays bass, said he started getting deeper into rock music about four years ago, thanks to his parents and their love of such classic rock bands as Jefferson Airplane and the Beatles.

"My whole taste in music comes from my parents and what they listened to," said Brown, 17. "With Lennon, you could feel his emotions. He just let it all go."

In this "school of rock," Lobbe, 36, plays the role of Jack Black. He discusses classic rock with his students and has them stage two performances per year.

"I usually choose about half the songs they perform. They choose the other half, which tend to be on the harder side," said Lobbe, who grew up in Garnerville and favors such progressive rock bands as Rush, Yes and King Crimson.

For any Rush fan that's seen the movie School of Rock they'll certainly remember this part (courtesy Power Windows):

During the scene where Jack Black's character gives the students music cd's for inspiration, he gives the drummer "Rush, 2112. Neil Peart [pronounced Pert], one of the great drummers of all time, study up." A later scene shows a closeup of a chalkboard displaying a "family tree" of rock, with RUSH listed under "Prog Rock".

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