We don't have "voices of a generation" anymore these days, sadly, so "kids" (anyone under, say, 35-40) today don't know the power that music has to change lives, influence hearts and minds, and basically change the world. The Beatles did this, as did Bob Dylan and a handful of others. But with John Lennon it was his achingly beautiful, intimate honesty, and willingness to explore difficult emotional subject matter, that set him apart. Plus, you must remember that, during his lifetime, very few musicians before Lennon combined intelligent lyrics, emotional honesty and infectious melodies with a haunting voice.
Yes, add the tragedy of his murder, yes add the immense popularity of The Beatles...but for most Lennon fans it was his uncanny insight into humanity, how he somehow - somehow - managed to communicate exactly the unspoken feelings and attitudes of millions of people who couldn't express those feelings (or even identify them) themselves.
Again, Voice of a Generation for a disparate Generation (Baby Boomers) unable to agree on anything except Lennon's Genius.
Plus, he was cool. You have ears, his music doesn't move you? Make you think? Make you FEEL....something? If not then I really can't help you out here.
