The Murder of John Lennon

Thirty years ago today, December 8th 1980, John Lennon was murdered outside of his flat in New York City.  Shot five times in the back by a nonentity, rushed to the hospital, he died.  John Lennon died.

He and his wife, Yoko Ono had spent the day giving interviews, going on a cover shoot for Rolling Stone, and had lived a happy life with their son Sean.

Having semi-retired, becoming a ‘house husband’, John was more relaxed then ever he had been.

No longer a Beatle, living in a cosmopolitan city where he could walk a street, eat at a restaurant without being charged by fans,  he was often seen, whether at a political rally, whether going shopping, or attending a show. He was able to spend time with his son, unlike his first child, Julian, whom he had rarely seen during the years of fame, John deliberately took time off to be a father.

When he was shot, people from all over New York raced to stand vigil outside of his apartment, later joined by others from around the world.

Born in Liverpool, England in 1940   he was raised by an Aunt Mimi.  He was interested in Art and Music and belonged to a number of groups until forming the Beatles in 1960 with Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe and Pete Best.  The last two never made it to fame. Sutcliffe dying and Best replaced by Ringo Star.

In 1963 America embraced the Beatles and from then every song they recorded, action they performed, word they uttered became canon.  They had millions upon millions of fans, and led the British musical invasion of the United States. 

In 1969  the group broke up, some claim it was the fault of his wife, Yoko Ono. 

John Lennon and Yoko moved to New York City in 1971.  Due to his Anti-War stance, President Nixon tried to have him deported.  The attempt lasted four years and he was not granted permanent residency until 1976.

During that period he separated from Yoko for eighteen months, 1973 – 1975, then reunited, and subsequently Sean was born.  It all seemed to be coming together for John Lennon.

It all ended on Monday night, December 8th 1980.