John Lennon’s Death 29 Years Later
By Krystal Clark
Today, December 8, 2009 marks the 29th anniversary of John Lennon‘s untimely death. As the most prominent member of the British band, The Beatles the singer-songwriter was known for his controversial antics inside and outside of music. His life was cut short when he was gunned down outside of his New York apartment building by Mark David Chapman, a deranged critic of his message.
John Lennon was 40 years old at his time of death, which was brought on by multiple gun shot wounds. Chapman was a mentally unstable individual who thought Lennon was being hypocritical with his music. He sang about free love and lack of material possessions but was a multimillionaire, a contradiction that literally drove Chapman insane. On this day at 10:49 PM, Lennon was shot by Chapman and pronounced dead shortly after at 11:07.
At this time Lennon, had become a beacon of the people, along with his wife Yoko Ono. His freethinking philosophy on life was contagious and spread beyond his fans and into the political realm. His presence was felt by everyone, which is why his death was so devastating. He’ll always be remembered as one of the founding members of The Beatles and a man who changed the face of music forever.
What’s your favorite John Lennon song? Are you a fan of his work?
Source: Spinner
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:44PM
Imagine
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:44PM
John, you were a master and a genius. I wish you were my father. You are a father figure to me. I cherish your music. It is eternal. I just wanted to send all my love to you and Yoko.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:46PM
Why mention the person that killed him by his name? I never understood that.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:03PM
Mark David Chapman — Lee Harvey Oswald — John Wilkes Booth. American journalism uses all three names of individuals who have commited heinous assassinations.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:06PM
December 8, 1980 was the worst day since November 22, 1963. The worst day since 12-8-80 was 9-11-01.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:09PM
Imagine on the feast of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION wow I wonder if it's payback for thinking he was bigger than JESUS? kharma can be a bitch
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:17PM
I can still remember exactly where I was, who I was with, what the weather was that night. It's as if it were yesterday, not 29 years ago. How is that even possible? What a treasure the world has missed out these last 29 years. God Bless you John & Yoko.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:22PM
It is is still the saddest day of the year – I am crying as I write this. He would be disgusted with what is going on in the world. And if he was still with us who knows how the world would have been different.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:27PM
He never said he was bigger then Jesus. The press interpreted into that.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:36PM
I believe he said that the Beatles were more popular than Christ, and uh, I think he was just kidding. He had a skewered sense of humor, not to be taken seriously.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:39PM
I'm only 17, so I wasn't even born yet when John was murdered, but I am crying right now because of his death. I just can't even believe that it happened. As I'm typing this, I'm listening to Happy Christmas(War Is Over). Rest in peace John.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:39PM
Oh please, he said that was a mistake. The press really READ onto that. Take your preaching somewhere else. Very rude, on a day like this.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:40PM
We miss him
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:40PM
Imagine no religion… there would have been no September 11th attack.
BTW, regarding the Jesus quote: Lennon was speaking of the ridiculous hype that surrounded the Beatles. He was making a point, and it was taken out of context or misinterpreted by the media.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:40PM
One of my favorites too. It's so amazing.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:41PM
I always think that also…what would he think if he saw the state of the world today. Far from what he had hoped and dreamed. He may have made a difference.
I was just thinking yesterday as this day approached of things that might have been and said hey, "He might have been one of the "Traveling Wilbury's" had he lived, he never lost touch with George and they played together after the break-up. He would have been a nice addition to that band. Besides all the other music that might have come from him that we lost that day . We all miss you John.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:41PM
I have along time memory of the Beatles. Saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show. Never will ever forget Lennon's smile and voice. What a devastating lost of live and artistic music.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:54PM
I remember that night too…monday night football etc.. and yes, I thought about the assassination idea too. Reagan had just been nominated the month before, and John was on the Nixon hit-list etc.. powerful peace-niks were too dangerous, i guess… how sad is that? we cannot undo-john's death, but we can all act peacefully as individuals. put that all together and what do we have? peace. love to all. Rick
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 11:10AM
I was a teenager when the Beatles took the world by storm. I am 63 now, and I still enjoy their music as much as ever. They can brighten my day anytime I listen to them, or think back on seeing them perform live in person. John, I miss you as much today as I did that awful night. You are special.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 6:15PM
I'm saddened by the idea that anyone could think John Lennon was a hypocrite. We all are, after a fashion, but if anyone wasn't, it was John Lennon. When he sang "Imagine no possessions," people fail to understand the true idea behind his words. He wasn't saying we should all eschew everything and live on the streets… He was saying we should share everything we have with everyone else. If someone was tired, or hungry, or destitute, I'm sure John out of anyone in this world would give them a place to rest, a bite to eat, or a helping hand. "Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world." One needs to see the entire context. Imagine is an amazing work, both of art and philosophy.
I too am crying as I write this. John was the greatest man who ever lived. No religious leader ever helped and moved so many as did John Lennon, at least not in ways that were beneficial.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 6:24PM
it was the TRUTH – They were more popular than Jesus – Just Gimme Some Truth – ALL I WANT IS THE TRUTH
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 6:43PM
saddest day of each year for me……… i named my son after him……i was pregnant at the time that i heard howard cosell's words……i'll never get over it. john is/was/always will be my hero. i will always miss him. but….good news……war is over! if you want it.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 10:48AM
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by BeatCrave and Beatles Compendium, Lauren Niedel. Lauren Niedel said: RT @beatcrave John Lennon’s Death 29 Years Later http://bit.ly/8XxSGK [...]
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 12:06PM
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Friendfeed by Jim Hearts FF: “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Thank you Mr. Lennon. – http://beatcrave.com/2009-12…...
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 7:14PM
Well we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun…
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 7:26PM
the greatest
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 7:28PM
Well greg, thanks for letting us all know what a tolerant and forgiving place your religion has led you to.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:49PM
[...] BeatCrave.com 記事はこちら [...]
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:50PM
YESTERDAY.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:31PM
My favorite is "Tomorrow Never Knows." It's on "Revolver." Listen to the words carefully.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 5:45PM
"In my Life" is my favorite Lennon song. I'm sad that some think his death was a result of some conspiracy. I understand how difficult it is to accept that the scope of a crime that affected people all over the world was perpetrated by one single, solitary, confused, mentally unstable person. It that same problem with people who can't accept Oswald was acting alone when he killed President Kennedy. But then consider, how is it that the music of four young men from Liverpool could change and redefine our world. Just because the odds of it are small doesn't mean it can't happen. As for me, I agree with the BillBoard author who said, in effect, the music of the Beatles will be considered the classical music of the Rock-n-Roll era.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 4:43AM
I still cannot understand why somebody would want to kill him. I just wish i could know why. I do know that it wouldn't make any difference but to me there is something hidden behind his death, someone is hiding something, i just feel it. However, i apreciate his work which still makes me smile and feel relaxed whenever i listen to one of his songs. He will live on forever.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 10:39AM
lennon lives !!!! best of the best!!!! cant say more ……
Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:29PM
[...] a few days since we marked the 29th anniversary of John Lennon’s untimely death, there is news of never-before-heard audio [...]
Monday, February 22, 2010 4:55PM
8th December 1980 was the worst day that ever existed. I could write a book about how devastated I was when I heard that horrific news and that he was gunned down in cold blood: words cannot describe how savage and criminal that act was. It changed the music world for ever. And that the cold-blooded murderer is still alive is totally unjust. The USA should be ashamed of itself.
Monday, February 22, 2010 5:04PM
I only wish to God that John Lennon had decided NOT to move to the USA to live. There are plenty of countries with a better quality of life such as Holland, Germany, Spain etc. And I am sure such criminal offence would not have occurred there. The USA is primitive (not civilised at all) when it comes to gun laws. I would never move to the USA and I would not even go there on holiday.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 2:30PM
Why did the scum of the earth's wife not warn people that a crazy killer was in existence? That is collaboration in murder. Why was the gun he took from Hawai not picked up when he flew to New York? Mark Chapman: I hate him 10 trillion times more than I can express in words. He is worse than Stalin and Hitler put together. Since the horrific murder of the genius of the century and a man of peace, I hate the USA so much.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 4:22PM
John's cold-blooded murder was so horrific and cruel, there are no words to describe the horror, sadness and anger that I feel. I am also really furious that Mark Chapman is still alive. The hate I have for him cannot be measured.
Monday, March 1, 2010 5:59AM
I remember that night too, and the weeks that came afterward. It was so surreal and horrible and sad, and the radio kept playing "Happy Xmas" because it was December. I can't listen to that song anymore. It's just too sad. All these years later, I sometimes feel like I'm still getting over John's death.
Friday, March 5, 2010 1:30AM
You can not generalize religion. If there was no Christianity, THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A WORLD TRADE CENTER TO DESTROY! America would have not existed. It was Christians who started civilization. Think about how Europe would have been now. It would be overrun with barbarianism. The Romans would not have turned to civilized Christianity, rather, it would have been conquered by a nation twice as disgusting. There would have been no Christopher Columbus, no George Washington, no Abraham Lincoln. Freedom is a Christian principle that allows you, John Lennon, and many others to make such comments. Do not get me wrong. I am a HUGE John Lennon fan. But at least I can admit that he made mistakes. He said "Imagine No Heaven." I am sure that where ever he is now, he is singing "Imagine Life In Heaven." I only pray that he made it there. {John Lennon Rest In Peace}