"I ASSASSINATED HIM BECAUSE HE WAS VERY FAMOUS"

FORMER BEATLE JOHN LENNON SHOT & KILLED IN NEW YORK

New York City (JFK+50) On December 8, 1980, former "Beatle" John Lennon* was shot and killed outside, The Dakota, his apartment building near Central Park in Manhattan.

Mr. Lennon, 40 years old, "was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital."

The shooter was identified as 'longtime Beatles' fan, Mark David Chapman**, a 25 year old former security guard and YMCA employee from Hawaii.

Five shots were fired from a .38 special revolver with four hitting Lennon in the back.

Chapman later told the parole board...

"I assassinated him because he was very, very, very famous and that's the only reason."

Ironically, earlier in the day John Lennon autographed a copy of his "Double Fantasy" album for Chapman.

*John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) was born in Liverpool, England & was co-founder, co-lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist & songwriter  of the British rock group, The Beatles, 1960-1969.

After The Beatles, JWL started The Plastic Ono Band with his 2nd wife, Yoko Ono.  He is credited with 25 #1 singles & the 1981 Grammy Album of the Year, "Double Fantasy."

**Mark David Chapman was born in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1955.  He attempted suicide in 1977 & was treated for clinical depression.  MDC was waiting outside the archway of 'The Dakota' where he called out JL's name & opened fire.

MDC is currently serving "20 years to life" at Green Haven Correctional Facility in New York.  He has been denied parole 13 times. 

SOURCES

"How did John Lennon die?  This is who killed the famed Beatle musician 43 years ago," by Clare Mulroy, USA Today, www.usatoday.com/

"John Lennon's Death:  Inside His 1980 Murder and Where His Killer Is Today," by Nicole Briese, December 6, 2023, People, www.people.com/

 

 

Yoko Ono & John Lennon

photo by Joost Evers/Anefo

March 31, 1969

National Archief (Dutch National Archives) 

 

"The Dakota"

New York City (2013)

by Andrevruas

'"THE BEATLES ARRIVE AT JFK"

AMERICA WELCOMES THE BEATLES

New York City (JFK+50) On February 7, 1964, the British rock band, The Beatles, arrived at JFK International Airport aboard Pan Am's Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London.  The band had just recently scored their first #1 hit in the United States, "I Want to Hold Your Hand."  

Thirty thousand "screaming fans" greeted George Harrison*, John Lennon**, Paul McCartney*** and Ringo Starr****.

The 'Fab Four' would perform their first American concert at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C. on February 11th and make an appearance on the popular Ed Sullivan television show.  Before their return to the U.K. on February 22nd, they performed at Carnegie Hall.

The Beatles broke up in 1970 after selling millions of singles and record albums world-wide.   Singer-songwriter Paul McCartney went on to have a highly successful post-Beatles career which made him the wealthiest musician in the world with a net worth of $1.2 billion.

*George Harrison (1943-2001) was born in Liverpool, U.K.  He became lead guitarist for the Beatles.  GH's musical career spanned 1958-2000.  He died of cancer at age 58.

**John Winston Ono Lennon (1940-1980) was born in Liverpool, U.K. & was singer/songwriter for the Beatles.  JWOL's 'Double Fantasy' won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.  He was murdered outside his NY apartment.

***Sir James Paul McCartney was born in 1942 in Liverpool, U.K.  He was singer/song-writer for the Beatles and played bass guitar.  JPM was one of the most prolific & successful songwriters in history.  In 1997, he was knighted by the Queen of England.

****Sir Richard (Ringo) Starkey (Starr) was born in 1940 in Liverpool. He was drummer/singer for the Beatles.  His musical career spanned 1957 to the present.  RS is said to be the wealthiest drummer in the world. 

SOURCE

"The Beatles Arrive in New York, February 7, 1964," This Day In History, www.history.com/

 

 

The Beatles Arrive in New York

Kennedy Airport

February 7 1964

UPI Photo

Library of Congress Image

 

BIRTHDAY OF JOHN LENNON

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1738

JOHN LENNON BORN 75 YEARS AGO

Liverpool, U.K. (JFK+50) Three quarters of a century ago today, October 9, 1940, John Lennon* of the British rock group "The Beatles" was born here in Liverpool.  

The "Fab Four" as they came to be called originated in 1957 when then 16 year old John Lennon formed a band called "The Blackjacks."  That name was changed to "The Quarrymen" when it was learned there was another band called "The Blackjacks."

John Lennon joined with Paul McCartney, a 15 year old singer and songwriter, and 14 year old guitarist George Harrison.  Another band member, Stu Sutcliffe, quit to attend art school and the drummer, Pete Best, was replaced by Ringo Starr.

The Beatles, Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starr, became a national and world sensation.  Brian Epstein, a music columnist, became manager of the group which signed with EMI and did their first recording session at Abbey Road Studios on June 6, 1962.

In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr members of the Order of the British Empire.

*John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) was born in Liverpool, the son of a merchant seaman, but grew up living with an aunt & uncle.  JWL attended Quarry Bank High School where he was described as "a hopeless clown."

At Liverpool College of Art, John was dismissed before his final year.  He went on to form the Beatles and the rest is history.  Along with Paul McCartney, JWL is considered one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.

JWL was tragically shot and killed outside his New York City apartment on December 8, 1980.

Paul, George & John

The Beatles

Dutch TV performance

June 5, 1964

Beelden Geluidwiki-Gallery

John Lennon Statue

 The Cavern Pub

Liverpool, U.K.

by George Groutas