Did Citroën Make A Faux Pas? Lennon's Commercial Appearance Stirs Up Tension

The New York Times reports:

From our colleagues at Arts Beat:

Presumably, this wasn’t what John Lennon meant by instant karma: a European automobile commercial in which that singer is featured has drawn swift outrage from fans, as well as a rapid defense from his son, Sean Ono Lennon.

The commercial for the Citroën DS-3, which is being promoted with the slogan “Anti Retro,” includes footage of Mr. Lennon criticizing people’s nostalgia for the 1960s and ’70s. In the ad, which began showing in Britain in February, that former Beatle says, “Once a thing’s been done, it’s been done.” He adds: “Looking backwards for inspiration, copying the past — how is that rock ’n’ roll? Do something of your own. Start something new...”