Lennon Talks of 'Dead Heroes' in Final Interview

John Lennon chillingly discusses the media's thrall with "dead heroes" in the last interview of his life, just released by Rolling Stone on the 30th anniversary of the ex-Beatle's death. In a heart-breaking reflection made just three days before he was gunned down, Lennon also talks of all the time he has left to pursue his dreams. "His words are totally joyous and vibrant and hopeful and subversive and fearless," interviewer Jonathan Cott tells AP, which obtained excerpts of the piece. "He didn't mince words." The full interview will be in the magazine issue hitting stands Friday.

Lennon, 40, lashes critics with "illusions they've created about artists. It's like idol worship. They only like people when they're on their way up. I cannot be on the way up again," he adds. "What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I'm not interested in being a dead hero. So forget 'em." He talks warmly of his joy at being a father to his young son, Sean, and his place as an artist and a human being. "I'm not claiming divinity. I've never claimed purity of soul. I've never claimed to have the answers to life," he says. "I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can. But I still believe in peace, love, and understanding." (More John Lennon stories.)