BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1836

"TORMENTED" LBJ DIED 43 YEARS AGO TODAY

Stonewall, Texas (JFK+50) Forty-three years ago this afternoon, January 22, 1973, the 36th President of the United States Lyndon Baines Johnson died in his bedroom at the LBJ Ranch.

The former POTUS had suffered three heart attacks in his lifetime and was said to be "tormented" by the failures of the Vietnam War.  LBJ died just two days after the end of President Richard M. Nixon's first term.  Mr. Johnson had decided not to seek another term for himself in late March 1968.

According to The Atlantic, LBJ had commissioned a study in 1967 on his own life expectancy and was given a somber prediction...he would die at age 64. This meant that if re-elected in 1968, LBJ would not survive another term.**  

His days of retirement were marked by chain-smoking cigarettes and frequent use of bottles of oxygen.  Adding to his medical problems were psychological issues.

Historian Michael Beschloss writes...

"Feeling like an unappreciated outcast, (LBJ) often depressed, repeatedly listened to Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.*

*'Bridge Over Troubled Water', written by Paul Simon & sung by Art Garfunkel, was recorded on Jan. 26, 1970. Within two days it was #1 on the charts and stayed there for six weeks.

Part of the song was heard for the first time on a CBS TV special, broadcast in Nov 1969.  It was heard in the background as video clips of JFK, RFK and MLK were shown.

Elvis recorded the song in Nashville on June 5, 1970.  Rolling Stone magazine rated it #47 in the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.

"BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER"

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
And friends just can't be found

If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will ease your mind

**Just as predicted, LBJ died at the age of 64.


SOURCES

"LBJ Agonized Over His Legacy," by Michael Beschloss, www.pbs.org, December 4, 2012.

"The Last Days of the President, LBJ in retirement," The Atlantic, July 1973, www.theatlantic.com/

Lyndon Baines Johnson

August 1972

LBJ Library Photo

Death of LBJ

LYNDON B. JOHNSON DIED 41 YEARS AGO 

Stonewall, Texas (JFK+50) Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy's Vice-President from 1961-1963 and 36th President of the United States from 1963-1969, passed away 41 years ago today, January 22, 1973 at the LBJ Ranch.

                  Lyndon Baines Johnson
                             August 1972
                       LBJ Library Photo

The date of LBJ's death was just two days after the end of President Richard M. Nixon's first term, the term that LBJ might have completed.

Mr. Johnson made the decision in March 1968 to not seek the renomination of the Democratic Party for the Presidency.

The former president had suffered three major heart attacks.

The first came in 1955, but despite warnings from his physicians, LBJ reportedly continued chain smoking, overeating, and drinking too much.

LBJ was in his bedroom at the time of the last heart attack and was pronounced dead at 4:33 p.m. (CST).

In his last days, Mr. Johnson was said to be "tormented"  by the failure of the Vietnam War. 

Historian Michael Beschloss writes...

"Feeling like an unappreciated outcast, (LBJ) often depressed, repeatedly listened to Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.*


*'Bridge Over Troubled Water', written by Paul Simon & sung by Art Garfunkel, was recorded on Jan. 26, 1970. Within 2 days it was #1 on the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks.

Part of the song was heard for the 1st time on a CBS TV special, broadcast in Nov 1969.  It was heard in the background as video clips of JFK, RFK and MLK were shown.

Elvis recorded the song in Nashville on June 5, 1970.  Rolling Stone magazine rated it #47 in the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.


When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
And friends just can't be found

If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will ease your mind


There has been a debate about whether or not JFK would have kept LBJ on the ticket in 1964.  Evelyn Lincoln, JFK's personal secretary, wrote in her book 'Kennedy and Johnson' that the President discussed the issue just three days before his death.

JFK was sitting in a rocker in Mrs. Lincoln's office when she asked...

 'Who is your choice as a running mate (in 1964)?'

The President answered without hesitating....

"I am thinking about TERRY SANFORD of North Carolina.  But it will not be Lyndon."

Mrs. Lincoln said she was not shocked by his answer.


SOURCES

"LBJ Agonized Over His Legacy," by Michael Beschloss, www.pbs.org, December 4, 2012.

"Kennedy and Johnson," by Evelyn Lincoln, Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, New York, 1968.

LBJ DIED 40 YEARS AGO TODAY

January 22, 2013

LBJ DIED 40 YEARS AGO TODAY

Stonewall, Texas (JFK+50) Lyndon B. Johnson, JFK's Vice-President & 36th President of the United States, passed away 40 years ago today, on January 22, 1973 at the LBJ Ranch.

                  Lyndon Baines Johnson
                             August 1972
                       LBJ Library Photo

The date of LBJ's death was just 2 days after the end of Richard Nixon's 1st term, the term that LBJ might have completed.

LBJ made the decision in March 1968 to not seek renomination for the Presidency.

The former president had suffered 3 major heart attacks, the 1st being in 1955, but despite warnings from his physicians, LBJ continued chain smoking, overeating & drinking too much.

LBJ was in his bedroom at the time of the last heart attack & was pronounced dead at 4:33 p.m. (CST).

In his last days, LBJ was tormented by the failure of the Vietnam War. 

Historian Michael Beschloss writes...

"Feeling like an unappreciated outcast, (LBJ) often depressed, repeatedly listened to Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.*


*'Bridge Over Troubled Water', written by Paul Simon & sung by Art Garfunkel, was recorded on Jan. 26, 1970. Within 2 days it was #1 on the charts & stayed there for 6 weeks.

 Part of the song was heard for the 1st time on a CBS TV special, broadcast in Nov 1969.  It was heard in the background as video clips of JFK, RFK & MLK were shown.

Elvis recorded the song in Nashville on June 5, 1970 & Rolling Stone rated it #47 in the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
And friends just can't be found

If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will ease your mind


There has been a debate about whether or not JFK would have kept LBJ on the ticket in 1964.  Evelyn Lincoln, JFK's personal secretary, wrote in her book 'Kennedy & Johnson' that the President discussed the issue just 3 days before his death.

JFK was sitting in a rocker in Mrs. Lincoln's office when she asked, 'Who is your choice as a running mate (in 1964)?'

The President answered without hesitating....

"I am thinking about TERRY SANFORD of North Carolina.  But it will not be Lyndon."

Mrs. Lincoln writes she was not shocked by his answer.

SOURCES

"LBJ Agonized Over His Legacy," by Michael Beschloss, www.pbs.org, December 4, 2012.

"Kennedy & Johnson," by Evelyn Lincoln, Holt, Rhinehart & Winston, New York, 1968.

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