I find it VERY hard to relive Lennon's final day. What makes it so poignant was that he was so busy living and enjoying life on that day. There was so much promise. Such a mature and happy Lennon. 1981 seemed so promising!
I was 16 years old too. Heard the sad news on the radio before I left for school. I was in shock all day long. The next day I went to buy most of the newspapers and made a scrapbook where I collected all the obituaries.
I had just turned 17 at the time, born, raised and lived in the UK. I was (and still am) a massive Beatles fan and John Lennon in particular. I loved his look, his voice, his wit and his honesty. I was so excited that he'd just released a new album and single. I remember listening to Radio 1's, Andy Peebles who was broadcasting his show live from RKO in New York. During the show John and Yoko strolled in to say "Hi" to all their UK fans, which was just fantastic. Does anyone else remember hearing this? I don't know if this was done before or after John's famous interview with Andy captured in the Lennon Tapes book. Then a couple of days later, I walked into work at 07:00 on the 9th December 1980, when one of my colleagues said, "Your mate has been shot dead". I couldn't believe it, the BBC put 'Help' on that night and Annie Nightingale played one song as a tribute - Julia. I cried for weeks and was so sad for months. I still get upset when I think of that day, 39 years ago today.
I was 22 when it happened, in the Air Force and stationed in England at the time. When my roommate told me the news I thought it was a bad joke, then I turned on the radio. The BBC was playing only Lennon and Beatles songs. That was the last time I got drunk, few celebrity deaths have hit me that hard. John was taken from us way too soon. he was just creating art again, I'm sure he would have made some incredible albums, he had the talent. Who knows if there might even have been a Beatles reunion. We'll never know.
His music has been a big part of our lives for so many years it is hard to believe he has been gone that long. But then again he always is there in our lives through the music and film.
I was nine years old. I didn't hear the news until late in the afternoon, whilst walking home from gymnastics club after school. Even as a kid, the impact bowled me over. One clearly etched memory is watching A Hard Day's Night on the telly, I think on the evening of the 9th December. My mum and dad were in pieces whilst us kids found it hard to make sense of what was really going on. The local radio station 'Radio City' in Liverpool played Beatles/Lennon songs for what seemed like weeks on end. A truly sad day.
The Jerk was determined to kill Lennon. Period. Personally (I'm American) ... a more tragic death than Jack Kennedy. Still difficult for me to comprehend. Thanks John for filming a very difficult commemoration on this day. ❤️
I wasn't even born yet when he passed away...but I still feel the pain from it. My parents both remembered where they were and what they were doing when they heard of John's death. I wish I could have been alive when John was...he was a genius, poet, and phenomenal musician.
I was also 16, my experience was very similar to yours. I was in such a, state of shock that I sat in the local park and did not go to school, with my radio, crying. John Lennon forever in our hearts.
I was about to turn seventeen. I was watching Monday Night Football with my father when Howard Cosell said John had been shot. I was hoping against hope it wasn’t life-threatening. When it became clear, I was devastated. I spent several weeks listening to A Day in the Life, watched the memorial gatherings around the Dakota, with people holding signs Why John? Imagine, etc. I thought it was all a bad dream. I can’t help but harbor some resentment - unfairly, I know - toward Goresh for not confronting or responding to the killer’s comment that he wouldn’t be seeing John again. What I loved about John was that he was friendly to average people. He asked the killer after he had signed the album whether it was all right because the killer wasn’t saying anything, just giving him that creepy smile. I feel robbed, too, of not having the chance to grow old with him, to hear his music and to listen to him talk. He spoke and sang from the heart. He was real in a way that few artists are. I miss you, John Lennon.
It's horrible enough finding out about how he was murdered but I can't imagine just how awful it was to see it on the news and experience it while it was all happening.
I felt the same way. What really sucked about it was that very few of my high school class actually listened to the Beatles in general or to Lennon specifically. Then, all of a sudden, "Imagine" was their favorite song and we had to hear it over and over again.
Man oh man, John, I was 30 years old on that unforgettable day.. What stands out so much in my mind is the total emptiness that overtook the entire Planet.. People walking around like complete zombies, like a moving picture out of focus, and with no understandable audio.. To this day I can't get that image, and feeling, out of my mind.. But, somehow we carry on.. This World is far too empty without him.. Lary
"life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans". Beautiful Boy, one of the most gorgeous songs and lines ever written. RIP John Lennon.
I was 5 I can vaguely remember me older brother and dad talking about it. I’m now 44 and it never fails to amaze me that I am older than John lives to be - I know that sounds silly... his music lives on as does his two sons
Thanks again John. I was 17 and too upset to get to work that day. I listened to radio all day and bought the newspapers, I was in total shock, I was having Double Fantasy for Christmas and bought the Beatles monthly and was collecting the albums after starting in 77, I had all the main Beatles albums by then and had a few solo ones and Lennon was my absolute favourite musician. I walked into a shop and heard Happy Christmas War is over a few days later and had to walk out again. I see the day clearly, in my grandparents house taping radio shows on a music centre, devastated. I’ve never felt as knocked by a celebrity death, I wonder what we’ve missed and will never know....tomorrow never knows.
I was 12 and was off school because of the Oxford/Cambridge varsity match. My mum came in and woke me up and told me and I can remember that instant very clearly. At that age I liked the Beatles but wasn’t aware of John’s solo work and sadly it took his death for me to realize what a great artist he was because of the subsequent re-release of songs like imagine which had passed me by the first time (I was 4). A sad day.
Hard to believe it's been 39 years. I was 15 at the time and I was a huge Beatles fan (still am). I was in a complete daze for about 3 months after. Looking back, I think I was actually clinically depressed. The murder really marked the end of innocence for me and it took me many years to believe in the good of humanity again. RIP John. Hope you're having a pint with George.
Hi John, This amount of time baffles me. Still remember where I was.... what I was having for breakfast and what news program I learned of this tragic news. An icon like him there will never be. How fragile a life is. Incredible that he is gone almost the same amount of time he graced this Earth. Love your tribute. Yes, who knows what other masterpieces he would have recorded. This world as is really needs a man like him but unfortunately not possible. Thank you for doing this. R.I.P. John Lennon
Good God, man, I'm surprised you did this but I'm glad. I was 19 and had just gotten home from work (4x12). I think killerboy was a manchurian candidate. I was born in Manhattan and lived in Greenwich village so it hit very close to home. Eff that idiot. I hope he rots in jail, never gets released.
Sad but true. I know I heard it December 9 in the morning before going to school over here in the Netherlands. I was 17 then. That day I did not go to school. Just went upstairs to my room and played The Beatles and John Lennon music. Could not understand why such a creep did this, and I still can't. Let's hope the creep will stay in jail forever
I'm the same age as you. I was a huge Beatles fan at the time and was so upset I didn't go to school that day. The following day I defied the school's strict uniform code by wearing a black tie. I still find his murder hard to take. It was such a shock
I was 12 came home from school and found out on the 4.00 news on the radio - Sydney time. One of the few times in my life that I remember where I was when I heard the news. Was a massive Beatles fan...nothings changed.
I was 13 at that time and had only just started listening to my Mum’s copy of the Sergeant Pepper album. I had only a vague idea of who John Lennon was. In fact, I can remember looking at the cover and only recognising Paul McCartney, because Paul had been by far the most visible Beatle during my life up to that point.
I was 8 at the time and just getting into the Beatles cartoon series on TV .I kinda dont remember feeling anything ,i was just a kid getting into this great music.I do remember buying alot of Beatles magazines that all of a sudden popped up & also seeing the Japan gigs from 66 on tv a few days later . I also remember my dad saying "Why would anybody want to do that ".
John died nearly 14 years before I was born and remains the only person who I’ve burst into tears upon realising how they died despite predating my birth. I love that man. RIP
It just still hurts. I was conceived around about 2-3 weeks before the time John was murdered and I know to some it may appear weird and strange and sad but it makes me a little happier to know I was probably around on the planet for a few days at the same time as him.I still grew up with him from my dad and probably heard him plenty of times while in the womb because he was endlessly mentioned and discussed and his music played just as double fantasy came out and woman and then after he died all his stuff. Just thanks John Lennon. And mom and dad. And you John Heaton. Peace ✌ and Love ❤
I've noticed that there are quite few young fans making comments who were either born during the Beatles years of existence or even many years after the split, and are still deeply affected by what happened. It just goes to show just much an influence John Lennon was and still is. I was a young kid in the 60's and for 2 thirds of my life the horror of John's death is still as raw today as it ever was. Next year we will be marking the 40th anniversary - that will be tough .............
Nice thoughts and recollections of that tragic day. I caught the news while watching a Monday night football game certainly one of the saddest and darkest days of my lifetime. Too many what if,s and dreams left unrealized.
Good job, John. I was 22 watching Monday Night Football. The radio dial was filled with Beatles and Lennon solo immediately after Howard Cosell's announcement. I was living in Portland, Oregon. One has to wonder what words John would have delivered when he learned of George Harrison's death. I'll never forget Dec 8th, 1980.
Edged in my mind also, I was 20years old, I was listening to his interview the day before on radio 1 & loving double fantasy album. It was 1 of those rare surreal genuine moments of disbelief when I was informed at work that morning. I listened to the beatles in the 60's on my older sisters dansette record player as 6 year old, yip even at such a young delicate age the beatles had that impact on me. Thanks for that respectful remembrance John!
I was watching Monday night football, when Howard Cosell announced that terrible news. i put a cassette in my stereo and started recording off the radio, i still have the Cassette. i only listen to it once a year. I'm sorry to say Paul Koresh, who took that photo of John signing an autograph for that piece of garbage, passed away last year he had some health problems.
That morning, I had to be at work for 7am and my radio alarm went off at 5.59 and I heard the beeps, the newscaster's voice and everything just stopped. This morning I listened to his last recordings, Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey, deep in my own thoughts. Back in 1985, I took a photograph of the tunnel entrance at the Dakota where John was gunned down but couldn't bring myself to look at it today.
Chapman traveled to New York City from Hawaii. He was born in Georgia. The people of NYC loved John Lennon. John Lennon loved NYC. He made it his home. Chapman is a depraved individual who wanted notoriety and fame and sought out a way to achieve it. Enough of that hump. John Lennon touched the lives of hundreds of millions of people. He told us to *'Love'* and *Give peace a chance* He will be remembered for a very long time to come because his music will span the decades- possibly even centuries. Thank you *John Lennon* for being one of the guys! On the *Friday evening* before John Lennon was killed- (that following Monday evening...) It was pouring/raining ☔ 'cats and dogs' as I was directly across the street from the Dakota on 72nd Street and Central Park West. As I hailed a cab to get across Central Park two Blond-haired- young girls, approximately 12 years old asked me if they could "share the cab" with me. I said, "sure." I just turned 22 in Nov. I remember that because of what happened that Monday evening. It's because of musical groups like *The Beatles* that my friends and I: -played music -wrote music -bought albums -went to concerts -listened to music and it became part of our lives. Here's to you *John Lennon* your memory lives on in your music because of the beauty that was inherent in your spirit. *Richard* 🍀 Yes, I remember John Lennon to the Heavenly Father no differently than I remember other loved ones. ❤
I would like to see a review of the John Lennon album that was created with Andy Warhol's artwork, issued after Lennon's very last record. A similar artwork can be found on an Aretha Franklin album that came out the same time.
What sickens me most is that that "guy" was lucky enough to meet John and get a autograph, then later that same night he did what he did. It's so unbelievable and completely messed up.
I remember the day, too. I have zero interest in sports but it was displacing rather than studying for a calculus exam the next day. I turned on Monday Night Football and almost immediately heard Howard Cosell announcing that he had been shot. I ended up staying up all night. That said, i think that the murderer was schizophrenic and likely is not a danger now. I don't think that he should be called garbage, despite the terrible, disgusting murder that he committed. Also, as minor asides, i was lucky enough to meet John Lennon in 1974 via my uncle, who was a VP at ABC TV and i had watched movies at Howard Cosell's house that year because my uncle and Cosell were good friends. I learned from my uncle's obituary, a few years ago, that my uncle had come up with the idea of Monday Night Football in the late 1960s. For me, it's a huge circle of coincidence that hits me in multiple ways.
Terrible day that happened...I try and think of the best days he lived, the best days he gave us his music, to think of that day too often can be very depressing...all good men should live to at least 80...Bowie, George H and John of course....it wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't made any more records...it would have been enough to watch him in interviews and have a laugh to this very day.
I was 6 years I remember hearing starting over imagine and jelously guy and women all the time on my mum radio I was to young to understand it all I think the sun said They loved him yeah yeah yeah
I was 17 in Highschool back in East Europe Budapest, Hungary Dec. 09 Tuesday morning a schoolmate of mine came to my class and told me the sad news... John Lennon shot dead in NYC..... she knew that i loved the Beatles and John Lennon. In 1980 there was still hope for a Beatles reunion 'till Dec. 08 i cried for 2 days been real sad and could not believe it.... the killer's name should be erased he is rotting in Jail he must die there...a JERK with No Name a nobody
John, although you expressed a number of thoughts the one that sticks in my mind is the one about the release of the murderer. I live in the States and regrettably this topic arises far too often here. You mentioned terrorists and then said that what's his name (even though you mentioned his name, I can't recall it - nor do I care to), took John's life without knowing him - for the sake of notoriety. To me, this equates to the same reasoning that terrorists employ. So, the consequences of the action should be the same as that afforded to any terrorist and as severe as society allows. He obviously is a continuing menace to society and should be viewed as such. No remorse, only a feeling of accomplishment which he would again perpetrate to feed his twisted ego. Obviously not insane as his action was premeditated and in his mind was a means to an end. I hope you are able to find solace to your pain.
I was 7. Of course i had no idea who he was. But i just remember this man playing a big white piano in a big room singing (imagine). I asked my parents if he was Jesus Christ, why ? I don't know. I just remember that song and when i hear it now , i always think back to that day. RIP
This is something the world will never recover from because we'll never know what we lost, or maybe we do know. Releasing his killer (and thank you for not naming him) would in fact be a death sentence. Some other nut would surely get to him.
I was 15 when John was shot and l remember the horror of it like yourself. Words can't express the senselessness of that piece of trash's actions. If there is a hell l hope they find a particularly hot corner for him to spend eternity in.
I was 14 at the time, and remember that day clearly. It is hard to believe it was nearly 40 years ago. How time flies. I remember on the sunday before, buying a Beatles ep with From Me To You, Thank You Girl and a couple of other tracks on it, from a Henley-In-Arden market, and playing the songs continuously on that monday evening, the night before the sad news. I didn't hear the news on the radio that morning, but i did at school, and couldn't have been more shocked. I overheard some fellow students mentioning John's name, but didn't catch on with the conversation, and thought it was good that John's re-emergence in music was being noted by the very young. I was flabbergasted a little later when i actually found out he had been murdered. I remember Andy Peebles appearing on Nationwide that evening, as he had only interviewed John a few days before. I also remember looking at the Double Fantasy album cover, and noting John had changed a lot physically since his days as a Beatle. He'd especially lost a lot of weight It is surprising that Andy Peebles years later revealed some very different thoughts on Yoko, as he had the freedom to say what he pleased as he was no longer under contract with the BBC. I believe John was a very complex man, both peace loving and idealistic, but also at times rather cruel and neglectful to those close to him. He was a great interviewee because of his honesty, but i also think there was a dreadful naivety to him, unlike his old mate, Paul. Peebles shows Yoko in quite a manipulative light, in that she expected him to spend as much time directing questions to her, as John. This seems to tie in with housekeeper, Fred Seaman's observations of her. It is interesting to speculate how John's musical comeback would have proceeded. Double Fantasy showed he'd retained a nice melodic touch, and his voice retained a very unique quality in his tone and phrasing, even if the material itself was rather conservative, when viewed alongside the contemporary sounds of the day. Yoko's contributions certainly showed she had her fingers on the button in terms of appealing to a more contemporary audience. How things would have developed since no one knows.
I was in 12th grade high school. The night before, I was watching Monday Night Football. But, I turned it off to go to bed before Howard Cosell made that famous announcement during the broadcast of the game. (it was kind of a dull game. I believe the Dolphins vs. Patriots.) The next day a couple of friends and myself were in the hall of school talking about it before the homeroom bell. My other friend came down the hallway wearing a green winter coat and a red face from the cold (this is Pittsburgh, Pa), came up to us all with this stunned look on his face (he was a huge Lennon fan) and said, "Man, Lennon is dead." I will never forget it.
Terrible tragic event which I call the 9/11 of pop music in terms of the magnitude for The Beatles and fans worldwide and happened in NYC.I can remember my Mum crying on the day and she put on the ELO album A New World Record.Of course Jeff Lynne would go on to work with the remaining Beatles so that is a kind of uncanny coincidence on that awful day.My Mum also got the Yoko Ono single Walkiing On Thin Ice which I believe is the last record John played guitar on.I was discussing the other night what songs John may have performed live if he had done a World Tour in 1981 and we both agreed that he would have embraced the Internet in terms of letting fans know what he was planning.I think that if he had lived there would have been collaborations with different artists and there would have been a Beatles reunion at some stage possibly at an event like Live Aid.I hope that one day Paul,Ringo with Julian /Sean and Dhani Harrison get together for a concert or album.As you said 40 years is a long time it would nice to pay tribute to John and George in the best and fitting way possible.Anyway great channel John and Merry Xmas and a Happy 2020.
Le 8 décembre, cette page Facebook a été créée, pour dire à toutes celles et ceux à qui John Lennon, manque, que nous devons nous unir pour la Paix entre le féminin et le masculin, deux genres complémentaires qui permettent à l'humanité de grandir, grâce à des enfant qui se souviennent d'avoir été heureux, avec leur papa et leur maman prenant leur petit déjeuner ensemble, s'asseyant au bord du lit de leur enfant petit, pour leur chanter des berceuses qui tôt ou tard, deviendront des hymnes comme par WHO HAVE SEEN THE WIND chantée en premier par Yoko et John, OH MY LOVE écrite par YOKO et JOHN, IMAGINE écrite aussi par John & Yoko, HAPPY XMAS WAR IS OVER IF YOU WANT IT avec ce début permettant d'entendre YOKO dire : HAPPY XMAS KYOKO, permettant d'entendre John dire : HAPPY XMAS JULIAN. JULIAN LENNON & SON PAPA CHANTANT YA YA, AVEC JULIAN à la batterie et Dad au piano, quelle beau final de WALLS AND BRIDGES sorti en 1974, et puis il y a WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS, la chanson préféré du petit garçon SEAN.. une chanson chantée par Ringo vêtue de rose, avec PAUL & JOHN au choeurs, sacré duo..;duo sacré faisant résonner HEY JUDE DON'T MAKE IT BAD, TAKE A SAD SONG AND MAKE IT BETTER facebook.com/8-dicembre-A-day-for-LIFE-101770281320546/?modal=admin_todo_tour ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O-Z9XSBwWTM.html
I read a book about Lennon's killer about twenty years ago. I can't remember who wrote it, but it stated that he believed tiny people told him what to do. It's obviously bollocks but it's still interesting. Also, I've often wondered whether Lennon's death didn't help the Beatles' popularity during the eighties. People being what they are, a morbid fascination with death has been known to boost sales. For example I'd never heard of 2Pac until after he'd died.
In January 1981, in Europe all the pressing factories were only making Beatles and Lennon records. I never bought any because I had all the originals, but they weren't up to much with thin vinyl and much thinner card sleeves, all at full price, of course.
It's hard to find the words say now thirty nine years removed from John Lennon's assassination. Obviously there was a loss of life and with it the great amount of potential that life brings. From a strictly legal standpoint, I believe that Lennon's assassin is truly where he belongs. I believe him to be a danger to the greater society to this day if released. Violence begets violence so it's better for society in general if he remains where he is. Now was/is he mentally ill? I think so. Perhaps not in the strictest legal definition but it's clear to see with just a cursory interest in how this individual was obsessed with and stalked Lennon prior to assassinating him that he didn't have both oars in the water. But enough about him. He'll never contribute anything to society going forward so it's meaningless speaking of him. John Lennon was on upswing in 1980. I think he had come out of the decade of the nineteen seventies in a better state of mind compared to how he entered the decade. I think he was finally setting about to burying some of his demons and finding some semblance of emotional stability in his life, although that is all up for debate. He wasn't a saint, very few folks are but he embodied the spirit of a generation quite unlike any other and therefore his loss was immense. As with virtually any other loss, the impact of that loss across the board tends to abate with time, but on the same token, we don't forget.
Sadly his name will always be remembered because his name is in print, sadly when you type in his name and you read about his murder, you see the bastard's name. He wanted fame, well sadly he is forever linked to John Lennon. Unless the media agrees, to remove his name from all articles about John Lennon's murder.
Last summer I visited my sister in NJ., who lives 1 hour from NYC., and got to see the Dakota Apartment where he was murdered, and the spot where Yoko spread his ashes, in Central Park West, and the spot where a nice memoir that reads " IMAGINE".
Well done for not mentioning his name.....i am still so angry at the complete senslesness of the whole thing.....no doubt as John lay dying he thought WHY.....
That was one of the saddest days of my life, I will never forget waking up to the radio report that John was murdered. I was 20 years old and was supposed to go to my class that day but after hearing that news, I was unable of course. To this day I still can't believe that it really happened. I don't buy that he was insane, he definitely has a screw loose but he plotted the whole thing out. I just hope the powers that be never release this asshole into society. He robbed the world of a great human being.
They're thick, ugly and usually sit at a computer all day in their soiled underwear, painfully attempting to promote their latest 'conspiracy theories'.
I don't believe in coincidence I don't believe in lone assassins I don't believe in Yoko I don't believe in Paul playing cupid I don't believe in homophobia I don't believe in segregation I don't believe in war I don't believe in fear I only believe in me and forgiveness for anyone striving to be better.
It was traumatic for all of us who grew up with the Beatles. As with the MLK civil trial that ended in 1999 with a unanimous verdict finding the US government guilty of orchestrating his assassination, there must also be an accounting for the US government's involvement with the Lennon assassination. These are the facts (look them up for yourself): According to the official records collected at the crime scene, eight to 10 bullets were fired from two distinct trajectories. Chapman, the man made out to be the "lone nut" assassin, held then dropped a 38 charter arms revolver, a five shooter, according to the doorman. Do the math. Lennon's son has even stepped forward and admitted he believes the government took John out. So miss me with this "psychopathic killer" bullshit. Chapman wasn't alone in the assassination. The police records were available to the public until recently. I would encourage you to check it out for yourselves. We're dealing with fascists in a fascist state who've a long history of targeting artists and activists opposed to imperialism.
