John Lennon's fans, widow Yoko Ono and bandmates mark 40 years since singer's death
By AP| 1 month ago
Fans remembered John Lennon with flowers, candles and songs on Tuesday, the 40th anniversary of The Beatles star's death after being shot outside his New York City apartment building.
In Central Park's Strawberry Fields section, which is steps from where he was shot and is dedicated to Lennon, photos of the icon ringed the inlaid 'Imagine' mosaic, along with a magazine, a small tree and other memorabilia, as musicians played nearby.
It was December 8, 1980, when the world-famous musician was with his wife, Yoko Ono, and was shot by Mark David Chapman outside the Dakota apartments on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Chapman remains in prison.
A person places a memorial candle for John Lennon on the 40th anniversary of his death at Strawberry Fields in Central Park on December 08, 2020 in New York City. (Getty)
At the time, The Associated Press reported, "Lennon and his wife were walking through the Dakota's big, arched entryway about 10.50 p.m. when a man approached them and fired five shots from a .38-caliber pistol. Lennon yelled 'I'm shot' and staggered up a few steps into the building and collapsed."
The anniversary was marked on social media by Ono, as well as by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of the quartet that made up the Beatles. George Harrison died in 2001.
"The death of a loved one is a hollowing experience. After 40 years, Sean, Julian and I still miss him," Ono said, referring to Lennon's two sons.
She also highlighted the toll of gun violence, posting an image of Lennon's bloody eyeglasses and listing the number of people she said have been killed by guns in the US since his death.
READ MORE: Yoko Ono is 'slowing down' and requires full-time care, insiders say
Paul McCartney reveals raunchy details from hangouts with The Beatles bandmate John Lennon
Jameela Jamil and Celeste Barber's iconic magazine cover recreation
Why The Beatles didn't continue after John Lennon left
Johnny Depp releases cover of John Lennon classic
John Lennon and Yoko Ono pose in a portrait. (Getty)
McCartney and Starr both made posts with images of them in their younger days with Lennon.
"A sad sad day but remembering my friend John with the great joy he brought to the world. I will always be proud and happy to have known and worked with this incredible Scouser! X love Paul," McCartney wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, in Starr's tribute, he wrote, "Tuesday, 8 December 1980 we all had to say goodbye to John peace and love John. I'm asking Every music radio station in the world sometime today play Strawberry Fields Forever. Peace and love. 😎✌️🌟❤️🎶🎼💝☮️."
Celebrity throwback photos: Guess who!
Property News: 11 things I learned about cleaning during lockdown - domain.com.au