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2020-12-26
John Lennon, one of the four members of the Beatles, was killed 40 years ago, this month.
Lennon had served as an inspiration to millions around the world, first and foremost because of his artistic and song-writing genius, but also for his political activism. Since his death, he has remained a cultural icon. He is beloved not only by those who came of age during the height of “Beatlemania,” but also by each new generation, as it discovers the timeless appeal of the Beatles.
Lennon was just 40 years old when his life was cut short. On December 8, 1980, he and his wife, Yoko Ono, had just returned home to their apartment building in New York City, when a deranged young man named Mark David Chapman – formerly a Beatles fan – shot him four times at close range, right outside the entrance to the building. Lennon died shortly thereafter on the way to the hospital.
John Lennon’s violent death broke the hearts of millions and brought about an outpouring of mourning around the world.
On the day of his death, Lennon had given an interview, in which he said, “I consider that my work won’t be finished until I’m dead and buried, and I hope that’s a long, long time.”
“My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.”
-John Lennon
More about John Lennon
- Born John Winston Lennon, on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England. Lennon was born during World War II, in an air raid shelter.
- When he was five, Lennon was separated from his parents and went to live with his mother’s sister, Mimi Smith, who went on to raise him.
- Formed the band, The Quarrymen, when he was 16. Named after his school, Quarry Bank High School, The Quarrymen eventually became The Beatles.
- The first instrument Lennon learned to play was the harmonica. He also learned the banjo from his mother. Neither Lennon, nor his Beatles song-writing partner, Paul McCartney, could read music.
- Lennon was 17 years old when his mother was killed by a drunk driver.
- Married Cynthia Powell at age 21. They had a son together, Julien, named after Lennon’s deceased mother, Julia.
- In 1963, following the release of two of their earliest hits, “Love Me Do,” and “Please Please Me,” the Beatles became a phenomenon in England and in Europe. The band, which included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, went to the United States in 1964, where they quickly rose to stardom with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Their American tour brought them stratospheric success, electrifying audiences from coast to coast. And that sealed the deal: the Beatles had arrived, and the world couldn’t get enough of them. They continued to play live concerts until 1966. That’s when there was sudden backlash due to Lennon’s comment that “the Beatles were more popular than Jesus.” The Fab Four quit touring and returned to the studio. They turned out albums that continued to be wildly popular, as well as critically acclaimed.
- In 1967, Lennon’s picture appeared on the cover of the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
- Divorced Cynthia in 1968; married Yoko Ono in the following year.
- The Beatles broke up in 1970, after which Lennon released several solo albums. Possibly his most famous was Imagine, released in 1971 – the same year in which John and Yoko moved to the U.S.
- Lennon was a passionate opponent of the Vietnam War. He often talked and wrote about peace, non-violence, and love in the world.
- Lennon considered himself a feminist. When his and Yoko’s son, Sean, was born in 1975 (on October 9th, just like John), he devoted himself to taking care of the homemaking end of things, while Yoko Ono worked as his business manager. Lennon added “Ono” to his name, out of respect for his wife.
- After his death, Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once in 1988, as part of the Beatles, and the second time in 1994, for his work as a solo artist.
- Yoko Ono made the decision to give all royalties from the song Imagine to the human rights organization, Amnesty International.
- If you are a fan of John Lennon’s, you can visit a memorial to him in the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park in New York City. It is located across the street from the apartment building where Lennon had lived with Yoko and Sean
Sources: Christgau, Robert, Britannica, “John Lennon, British Musician,” https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Lennon; IMBD, “John Lennon, Biography,” https://www.imdb.com/; History.com, “John Lennon is Shot,” https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-lennon-shot.