Remembering Lennon

29 Years Later, Reflecting on the Life and Death of John Lennon
by Conor Levis

"Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

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

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one " - "Imagine" by John Lennon




Unlike many people in this country, I don't remember where I was on December 8, 1980. Mostly because I wasn't even born yet. That doesn't mean I don't understand the significance of what happened on this day 29 years ago. For many, the Assassination of John Lennon ranks right up there with many of the other iconic events of the 21st century. People remember exactly where they were the night when Howard Cosell first broke the news in the final minutes of the Monday Night Football game that Lennon had been shot outside of his apartment building in New York City. His killer will remain nameless on this blog because we choose not to acknowledge him. He was suicidal and killed Lennon to "steal his fame" because "he was a nobody at that time". At the time it was an enormous blow to not just the music industry and to pop culture, but to our society. 29 years later, his impact is still felt today.

Though it's a somber anniversary, it is a day to celebrate John Lennon's life. The legendary musician's body of work and life still resonates with many of today's artists. The Roots drummer, Questlove, talked about the impact of John Lennon's death on him, tweeting, "29 yrs ago My 5th grade art teacher tried to explain Lennon's impact in tears. next day she brought Revolver to school: hooked for life." Lennon clearly inspired every genre of musicians and it is still seen today. To some, he was just another member of the Beatles. To others, he was a hero. He wasn't just about the music, he had a message of peace...a vision, a dream. John Lennon was so influential that President Nixon's administration tried to have him deported on several occasions and actually did have Lennon ordered to leave the US within 60 days on On 23 March 1973. The decision was ultimately overturned in 1975 and FBI files regarding Lennon have since been uncovered for the making on the documentary The U.S. vs. John Lennon. These FBI files document the Bureau's role in the Nixon Administration attempt to deport Lennon in 1972 to stop his anti-war campaign before the Nixon re-election campaign. The FBI admitted it had 281 pages of files on Lennon but refused to release most of them, they contained "national security" information. When will we ever see a musician or star with this much impact again?

Today, I choose to remember John Lennon for what he was. An unbelievable musician and an even better human being. A genius, a visionary, a hero. I could go on and on but I would never find enough words to explain the impact this man had not only on my life, but on millions and millions of others. He was the driving force behind the greatest musicians of all-time, the Beatles. You all I know how I feel about them. I don't know where or what I would be without Lennon's music. Lennon continues to be mourned throughout the world and has been the subject of numerous memorials and tributes, principally New York City's Strawberry Fields, a memorial garden area in Central Park across the street from the Dakota building. Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, later donated $1 million for its maintenance. It has become a gathering place for tributes on Lennon's birthday and on the anniversary of his death, as well as at other times of mourning, such as after the September 11 attacks and following Harrison's death on 29 November 2001.

There will be another memorial and gathering tonight at Strawberry Fields in New York City. Tonight if you think of it, at 10:50 pm (the approximate time of his death), have a little moment of silence for Lennon. It's the least you could do for one of the greatest and most influential musicians of all-time. It's the least you could do for one of the important human beings of all time.

John Winston Ono Lennon
October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980