It was thirty years ago today that Mark David Chapman ended the life of former Beatle John Lennon outside of the Dakota building in Manhattan.
News of his death spread quickly, in the late hours of December 8th in America, and just as dawn hit in England. In the days before Twitter or the internet or even cable, you may have had to find out in a tough manner. See video below.
Howie Cosell, former Monday Night Football Announcer:
Remember this is just a football game no matter who wins or loses – an unspeakable tragedy confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City – John Lennon, outside of his apartment buildng on the West Side of New York City, the most famous perhaps of all the Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, DEAD ON ARRIVAL. Hard to go back to the game after that news flash.
John Lennon would have been seventy. Instead his killer just celebrated his 55th birthday in prison where he rots.
The fact is that the Beatles staying power has been utterly amazing. Take Apple’s last major news conference – calling it a day that we would never forget – only to announce that the Beatles have been added to iTunes. Most people own Beatles records, yet I have no doubt that iTunes sales went up on that announcement. And here I thought they were announcing the iPhone 5.
So many questions are left as to what would have transcribed if Lennon had not died that day. Would the Beatles have had sold-out reunion tours? Would we be watching Larry King interview John Lennon on any given night? Would US Politics be the same? Would anything be the same?
It is hard to tell, but one thing is for sure, we must be thankful for The Beatles and especially for John Lennon, who asked us to “give peace a chance” but it seems we didn’t listen.
I leave you with perhaps his most famous and inspiring song, ‘Imagine’.
