John Lennon’s “Imagine” piano is unveiled for display at Northpark Center

by Laura Seewoester

Okay, so the piano that John Lennon wrote Imagine on is a big deal. It's a great song, yay peace, fine, whatever I get it. George Michael (who bought the piano in 2000 for $2.1 million) and Kenny Goss have decided to send the piano on a Piano Peace Project tour, where the piano will be photographed in cities across the U.S. and the world where horrific acts of violence have taken place. It's kind of like when you steal a gnome from your parent's garden and take it on vacation with you, and then send them pictures of the gnome in front of national monuments. Except it's John Lennon's piano, in front of places known for violence and there is the purpose is to promote peace. Again, I get it. As of the piano's unveiling this morning, it is taking a brief (4 month) break from touring while it sits on display at Northpark Mall until December 1st.

Wait, what? John Lennon's piano is promoting peace at.... an upscale shopping center? Sounds to me like George and Kenny are tired of lugging that piano around the country and want a little break. Whatever the reason, it's still pretty cool to look at, despite the fact that it sits under an AMC movie sign and amidst the smell of Cinnabon. And if you put your ear close enough to the plexi-glass case, you can almost smell the burn of John Lennon's cigarette and hear him singing... "Imagine all the people, livin' life in peace..."