John Lennon Died on December 8, 1980: 30th Anniversary

It is hard to believe that soon it will be 30 years since John Lennon died. December 8th, 1980 was a sad day for the world. That evening John Lennon was shot to death outside his apartment at the The Dakota on West 72 Street in New York City.

John Lennon was shot to death at about 11 p.m. on December 8th, 1980. Many people remember exactly where they were, what they were doing, and who they were with when the heard the news about Lennon's death.

Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono was with John Lennon at the time they were shot. They had just gotten out of a limousine at The Dakota apartments. It is so tragic that she witnessed the shooting that killed her husband.

Dr. Stephen Lynn tried to save John Lennon's life at the Roosevelt Hospital Emergency Room. He also had to speak with Yoko Ono to inform her of the death. He was only age 33 at the time. To handle such a task at a relatively young age must have been horrific. He had only been the Emergency Room Chief of Staff for just two years at the time of Lennon's death.

He recalled to the NY Daily News how Yoko Ono reacted. "She screamed for what felt like five minutes. You're a liar! Tell me it's not true! I can't believe it! He can't be dead!"

John Lennon's Music Will Live Forever

John Lennon lives on in the hearts of the world every time someone hits play on one of his songs. His voice still croons to us when we listen to the Beatles. And I for one wonder how long the gun violence insanity will continue. How many more super stars of the world lose their lives due to a stalker with a gun?

Two Sons Lose a Father

The bullets that killed John Lennon also left two sons without a father. They lost the chance to grow up with the man who should have been there to teach them about life, share his creativity and share their joy at major events in their lives.

John Lennon: New York City & Gun Violence

It is an honor to America that John Lennon chose to live here. He could have lived anywhere in the world. He chose New York City, a place full of creative people and where he could enjoy the arts and the enormous diversity of the population.

The shooting death of John Lennon is a great tragedy that the world will never heal from. The joyful music of the Beatles now has a dark feeling to it sometimes. To have to acknowledge that John Lennon, creative genius, was gunned down on the street is a stark reality that America has to contemplate forever.

On December 8th each year people all over the world remember John Lennon. They listen to his music and they gather in parks and other places to remember him. His spirit lives on in his fans around the world.

I usually listen to "Imagine" on December 8th and try to imagine a world where gun violence no longer exists. Then I listen to some of the other Beatles' songs that I love such as "Hey Jude," "Long and Winding Road," "Yesterday," While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Let it Be." I try to both mourn and celebrate John Lennon on the anniversary of his death. He gave the gift of beautiful music to the world.

Beatles Now Available on iTunes

The Beatles made some very joyful music. Their music lives on and is popular with both old and young. Some of the songs of the Beatles finally recently became available on iTunes. Sales are strong and they likely always will be. John Lennon and the Beatles are forever.

Sources:

NY Daily News