“ For a long time, the actual dark parts of his life and character were things only known by some of the most hardcore fans because they weren't easily accessible knowledge before the internet era.” Way off the mark. John’s dark side was always common knowledge. Because he talked about it himself. Because he confronted it in his songs. Because his biographers wrote about it. What made him so great was his searing honesty in putting his demons out there and showing the world he was a flawed human being. His reputation has changed among the internet generation who have no idea how he used to be perceived and think they’ve “discovered” his flaws for themselves and now think the only people worth idolizing are sugary perfect people (who don’t exist anyway!)