A Day of Remembrance, A Day the Music Truly Died

As a child, many times you don't understand the significance of an event that takes place. Perhaps that is the beauty of being a child, the innocence. The inability to grasp or comprehend a tragic event. Back on December 8, 1980, twenty-five years ago today, I was an eight year old kid in elementary school. I was up on current events and I was a curious kid. I remember hearing that John Lennon had been shot and killed in NYC. Growing up in a musical household, I knew who John lennon was, but did not comprehend what he meant to the music world or to the world in general. I did not "appreciate" who he was back then, but that all would change over the years as I started to have an even deeper passion for music and music history.


John Lennon 1940-1980 

John was shot in front of his home, the Dakota apartment building at about 10:50pm on the night of December 8, 1980. John had just finished an evening recording session with his wife Yoko and was returning home. Mark David Chapman, who John had signed a copy of his newly released "Double Fantasy" album for earlier that evening, was waiting on the sidewalk as John's limousine approached. As John walked down the sidewalk towards the entrance to his building, Chapman fired, striking John in the back and killing him. A tragedy the world was not prepared for.

The story of the shooting was first reported on rock n' roll station WNEW FM in NYC and on WABC's Monday Night Football. Within minutes of his death, legendary sports broadcaster Howard Cosell announced to the nation that Lennon had been killed. Within minutes, hundreds of stunned and weeping people poured onto the streets near the Dakota and into the park. Was this really happening?


"I Read The News Today, Oh Boy" 

For a solid week, people gathered singing Lennon's songs, lighting candles, and paying tribute to John. On Sunday, December 14th, John's wife Yoko asked for 10 minutes of silence to honor John, many cities around the world took place in this tribute. "Imagine" which was John's signature solo song, was simulcast around the world on every station at the same time.


NYC, and the world was stunned.... 


A Man That Truly Left His Mark On the World 

A couple of years after his tragic death, a memorial to John was introduced to us all in Central park, just steps from his home, steps from where he was killed. Strawberry Fields is a perfect tribute to John. Located on W 72nd and Central Park West, Strawberry Fields is the gathering place to honor and remember John. I went on a field trip there in 6th grade, just 3 years after he was killed and a year after the memorial opened, and I really took a liking to this place. It was a peaceful and tranquil place.


Strawberry Fields In NYC's Central Park. A Memorial To John Lennon. His Residence, the Dakota Building, Looms In the Background 

Each year, to mark the anniversary of his death, vigils are held at Strawberry Fields. I make it my business to go every year within a week of his death. It's something I have done for the last 10 years. On my way into NYC to see the tree and enjoy the holiday atmosphere NYC is famous for this time of year, I always stop in the park and make my way to Strawberry Fields. I spend a few minutes watching all John's fans bring candles, flowers, etc., and place them on the huge mosaic tile "Imagine." People gather and sing Beatles and Lennon songs, there is always at least one or two people with guitars. It's nice, everyone sings along and pays tribute to an amazing artist.


The Yearly Vigil Honoring John Lennon at Strawberry Fields. It Is Something Everyone Should Experience At Least Once. 


I Often 'Imagine' and Wonder How Much John Still Had To Give the World. 



The World Could Use Someone Like John Right About Now 

I guess what troubles me most about his death is that John was at peace and genuinely happy for the first time in his life. After about 8 years out of the music business to spend time with and raise his son Sean, John was back making music and came out with one of his best pieces of work ever just a week before his death. I think a song Elton John wrote for John after his death says it all:

What happened here
As the new york sunset disappeared?
I found an empty garden among the flagstones there
Who lived here
He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
And now it all looks strange
It's funny how one insect can damage so much grain

And what's it for
This little empty garden by the brownstone door?
And in the cracks along the sidewalk nothing grows no more
Who lived here
He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
And we are so amazed we're crippled and we're dazed
A gardener like that one no one can replace

And I've been knocking but no one answers
And I've been knocking most all the day
Oh and I've been calling oh hey hey johnny
Can't you come out to play

And through their tears
Some say he farmed his best in younger years
But he'd have said that roots grow stronger if only he could
hear
Who lived there
He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
Now we pray for rain, and with every drop that falls
We hear, we hear your name

Johnny can't you come out to play in your empty garden

It's only fitting to end this post with:

Strawberry Fields
By The Beatles