John Lennon: How we first learned about his death 43 years ago today
Fans Remember John Lennon in Strawberry Fields FILE PHOTO: Flowers and candles sit in honor of slain musician John Lennon on the 20th anniversary of his murder December 8, 2000 in the Strawberry Fields area of Central Park in New York City. Strawberry Fields sits across the street from the Dakota apartments, Lennon''s former home, where he was murdered by Mark David Chapman. Hundreds of fans gathered for a candlelight vigil in the area which is dedicated to the memory of the ex-Beatle. (Photo by George De Sota/Newsmakers/Getty Images)
ByDebbie Lord, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
John Lennon, who rose to unimaginable fame first as one of the Beatles, then as a solo songwriter and activist, was shot and killed outside of his home in New York City on Dec. 8, 1980.
On that crisp December day, his murderer, Mark David Chapman, who was described at the time as a “local screwball,” waited outside of Lennon’s home for the star to return from a recording studio session then shot him five times as his wife, Yoko Ono, looked on.
Earlier in the day, at that very spot, Lennon had autographed an album cover for Chapman.
Lennon was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later, really having no chance of surviving such devastating injuries.
Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life for Lennon’s murder. At a parole hearing several years ago, he apologized for the killing saying, “I am sorry for being such an idiot and choosing the wrong way for glory.” Chapman remains in prison.
John Lennon would be 83 years old today if he had lived. Fans find it hard to imagine a senior citizen Lennon. Would he still be politically active, or would time have mellowed the crusading Beatle?
We can never know.
Now, some 43 years later, all we do know for sure is what happened on that day.
Here is how various news outlets reported the Dec. 8, 1980 death of John Lennon.
(To read the full stories, click on the links below.)
Together let's bring back America the green land of Peace The death of a loved one is a hollowing experience After 36yrs we still miss him pic.twitter.com/nRvdFKixW2
Former Beatle John Lennon, who catapulted to stardom with the long-haired British rock group in the 1960s, was shot to death late last night outside his luxury apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, police said.
Authorities said Lennon, 40, was rushed in a police car to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Doctors said he suffered seven severe wounds in his chest, back and left arm, but they did not know how many bullets had hit him. Dr. Stephen Lynn said, “I am sure he was dead when he was shot.”
Police said the shooting occurred outside the Dakota, the century-old luxury apartment house where Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, lived. It is across the street from Central Park.
Police said they had a suspect and described him as “a screwball” with no apparent motive for shooting Lennon.
Lt. John Schick said he expected the man, in his mid-20s, to be held through the night.
John Lennon, one of the four Beatles, was shot and killed last night while entering the apartment building where he lived, the Dakota, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. A suspect was seized at the scene.
The 40-year-old Lennon was shot in the back twice after getting out of a limousine and walking into the entrance of the Dakota at 1 West 72d Street, Sgt. Robert Barnes of the 20th Precinct said.
“Obviously the man was waiting for him,” Sergeant Barnes said of the assailant. The suspect was identified as Mark David Chapman, 25, of Hawaii, who had been living in New York for about a week, according to James L. Sullivan, chief of detectives of the 20th Precinct. …
The Beatles united a generation of young people with their songs, their attitudes and their sense of style, and John Lennon was the thinking man’s Beatle. Of the four, he was the Beatle who wrote books, the Beatle who embroiled the group in a potentially disastrous controversy by suggesting in an interview that they were more popular than Jesus, the Beatle who embraced the poetic innovations of Bob Dylan in the mid-1960′s and shocked Beatles fans by jumping into performance art, happenings and political protests in the late 60′s and early 70′s.
He was the Beatle who announced in one of his first solo albums after the breakup of the Beatles that “The Dream is Over” – the dream of community through peace, love, mysticism and psychedelic drugs that the Beatles had encouraged and advertised.
And yet, paradoxically, Mr. Lennon never lost sight of that dream. “The media are saying that the 60′s were stupid and naive,” he remarked only a month before his death. “But look at how much of what was sniggered about in the 60′s has become mainstream – health food, therapies and all the rest. And love and peace weren’t invented in the 60′s. What about Gandhi? What about Christ? The naivete is to buy the idea that the 60′s were naive.” ...
Former Beatle John Lennon, the 40-year-old lead singer of the most popular rock group in history, was shot to death last night as he stepped from a limousine outside his home in the Dakota, an exclusive apartment building on Central Park West and 72d St.
Police arrested a suspect, “described as a local screwball,” minutes after the shooting and charged him with Lennon’s murder. The “smirking” suspect, identified as Mark David Chapman, 25, of Hawaii, was seen in the vicinity of the Dakota for several hours before the shooting and reportedly had hounded Lennon for an autograph several times in the last three or four days.
Lennon and his Japanese-born wife, Yoko Ono, were returning to their apartment from a recording session when the shots rang out.
Lennon was taken to Roosevelt Hospital in a police radio car and was pronounced dead on arrival in the emergency room. ...
Former Beatle John Lennon has been shot dead by an unknown gunman who opened fire outside the musician’s New York apartment.
The 40-year-old was shot several times as he entered the Dakota, his luxury apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, opposite Central Park, at 2300 local time.
He was rushed in a police car to St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center, where he died.
His wife, Yoko Ono, who is understood to have witnessed the attack, was with him.
Shots heard
A police spokesman said a suspect was in custody, but he had no other details of the shooting.
“This was no robbery,” the spokesman said, adding that Mr. Lennon was probably shot by a “deranged” person.
“Just a voice out of the American night. “Mr. Lennon.” He started to turn around. There is no knowing whether John Lennon saw, for what would have been the second time that day, the young man in the black raincoat stepping out of the shadows. The first shot hit him that fast, through the chest. There were at least three others.”
hIn this Dec. 9. 1980, file photo, police lead suspect Mark David Chapman, with his head covered, from the 20th Precinct on New York's Upper West Side. Chapman shot and killed John Lennon, a former Beatles member.
In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, people jam the street at Central Park West and 72nd Street in New York, just outside the Dakota apartment house where John Lennon lived, after leaving a memorial service held at the bandshell in Central Park.
In this Dec. 10, 1980 file photo, a man adjusts one of the wreaths that cover the wrought iron front gate to the Dakota apartment building where John Lennon lived.
In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, a crowd gathers during a tribute to John Lennon in New York's Central Park. The death of Lennon, more than shot 35 years ago, still reverberates as a defining moment for a generation and for the music world.
In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, a woman weeps during a ten minute silent vigil for John Lennon held in front of Trinity Church in Boston. An estimated crowd of 2,000 people came to honor the former Beatle who was murdered in New York.
In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, people participating in tribute to the slain musician John Lennon wave the peace sign and sing "Give Peace A Chance" at New York's Central Park.
In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, people participating in tribute to the slain musician John Lennon wave the peace sign and sing "Give Peace A Chance" at New York's Central Park.
In this Dec. 13, 1980, file photo, the American flag flies at half mast atop the Dakota apartment building in New York in a tribute to John Lennon, who was a resident of the building.
In this Dec. 10, 1980, file photo, people participate in a candlelight vigil on Boston Common in Boston, Mass., in memory of musician John Lennon.
In this Dec. 14, 1980, file photo, a helicopter flies over Central Park in New York where an estimated crowd of between 50,000 to 100,000 people gathered to pay tribute to the late John Lennon.
In this 1975 file photo, Mark David Chapman is seen at Fort Chaffee near Fort Smith, Ark. The man who shot John Lennon said he considered killing Johnny Carson and Elizabeth Taylor, but the ex-Beatle was more accessible.
In this 1980 file photo, a woman leaves flowers at a make shift memorial outside the Dakota apartment house where John Lennon was shot and killed on Monday, Dec. 8, 1980 in New York.
In this Dec. 9, 1980, file photo, a crowd gathers outside the Dakota apartment building after John Lennon, who lived there, was shot hours earlier in front of the building when returning home on the evening of Dec. 8.
In this Dec. 9, 1980, file photo, Yoko Ono and record producer David Geffen leave Roosevelt Hospital in New York after the death of her husband, John Lennon.
Kathy WillensFlowers and a homemade tribute left by fans of the legendary musician adorn a memorial to John Lennon at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, one day before the 35th anniversary of his death.
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Remembering John Lennon Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (centre), the Indian mystic who introduced British pop group The Beatles to transcendental meditation, with George Harrison (1943 - 2001, left) and John Lennon (1940 -1980), at the UNICEF Gala in Paris. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon John Lennon (1940 - 1980), singer, songwriter and guitarist with pop group The Beatles, 26th June 1967. (Photo by Peter King/Fox Photos/Getty Images) (Peter King/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Musician John Lennon (1940 - 1980) of English rock band the Beatles during the filming of 'Magical Mystery Tour' in the west of England, 16th September 1967. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Musicians John Lennon (left) and George Harrison of English rock band the Beatles during the filming of 'Magical Mystery Tour' in Devon, UK, 1967. (Photo by Jim Gray/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Jim Gray/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 1966: Beatles singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940 -1980) performing against a lit backdrop. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 17th October 1967: A happy John Lennon (1940 - 1980) at the wheel of the ISO Rivolta S4 car which he bought for £6,150 at the preview of the Motor Show. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Ex-Beatle John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and his girlfriend May Pang, his former secretary, at the opening of 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road' on Broadway, New York City, 21st November 1974. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon John Lennon (1940 - 1980) of the Beatles plays the guitar in a hotel room in Paris, 16th January 1964. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Harry Benson/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon John Lennon (1940-1980), guitarist and singer with the Beatles, pictured wearing a wizard style hat during the final day of filming of 'Magical Mystery Tour' at West Malling Air Station in Kent on 24th September 1967. (Photo by Borrison/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Matt Green/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon George Harrison (1943 - 2001) (right) pushes John Lennon (1940 - 1980), both of the British pop group the Beatles, in a wheelchair as they travel in unconvincing disguises past a Pan American airline banner, July 20, 1965. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images) (Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon The other members of British rock group the Beatles congratulate John Lennon on passing his driving test, 16th February 1965. From left to right, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Singer and songwriter John Lennon (1940 - 1980) of the Beatles, in a psychedelic Radford Mini de Ville owned by George Harrison at West Malling Airfield, Kent, 7th November 1967. The Beatles are at the Aerodrome for work on their TV film 'Magical Mystery Tour'. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon English rock band the Beatles prepare to perform their new single 'Hello, Goodbye' on stage at the Saville Theatre, London, 1967. Clockwise from top left, they are Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 21st May 1971: Ex-member of the Beatles, singer and songwriter John Lennon (1940 - 1980) on the beach at Cannes, France. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) (Central Press/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon British pop group The Beatles, from left to right; Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001), outside Buckingham Palace, London, after receiving their MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from the Queen, 26th October 1965. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Pop group The Beatles George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon with fans, circa 1968. (Photo by Daily Express/Archive Photos/Getty Images) (Express/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon The Beatles on stage at the London Palladium during a performance in front of 2, 000 screaming fans. (Photo by Michael Webb/Getty Images) (Michael Webb/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 13th September 1964: Beatles Paul McCartney (left) and John Lennon (1940 - 1980) at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards held at the Dorchester, London. (Photo by William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images) (William Vanderson/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 31st August 1966: The Beatles disembark from an aeroplane at London Airport in the early morning, on return from their American tour. They are, from the bottom up, Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 - 1980), Paul McCartney and George Harrison (1943 - 2001). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 20th May 1965: Beatle John Lennon and his wife Cynthia boarding an aeroplane at London Airport. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon English musician, singer and guitarist with the Beatles, John Lennon (1940-1980) pictured during production and filming of the British musical comedy film Help! on New Providence Island in the Bahamas on 2nd March 1965. (Photo by William Lovelace/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Antonia Hille/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Left to right: Paul McCartney, George Harrison (1943 - 2001) and John Lennon (1940 - 1980) of the Beatles, backstage with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi after he gave a lecture on transcendental meditation at the Hilton hotel, London, 25th August 1967. (Photo by C. Maher/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (C. Maher/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Headshot portrait of British musician and songwriter John Lennon (1940 -1980), of the pop group The Beatles, as a young boy in a school uniform and cap, circa 1948. (Photo by Pictorial Press/Getty Images) (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and Yoko Ono pose on the steps of the Apple building in London, holding one of the posters that they distributed to the world's major cities as part of a peace campaign protesting against the Vietnam War, December 1969. The poster reads 'War Is Over, If You Want It'. (Photo by Frank Barrett/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Frank Barratt/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon December 1961: Singer, guitarist and songwriter John Lennon (1940 - 1980) of the British group The Beatles live on stage at the Cavern Club in Matthew Street, Liverpool. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Singer John Lennon (1940 - 1980), drummer Ringo Starr, and guitarist George Harrison (1943 - 2001) in telephone kiosks at Marylebone Station while filming musical comedy film 'A Hard Day's Night', London, March 1964. (Photo by Kaye/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Kaye/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist Yoko Ono with her daughter Kyoko Chan Cox and her husband English singer, songwriter, and peace activist John Lennon (1940 -1980) of The Beatles, at Heathrow Airport, London, UK, 7th June 1969. (Photo by George Stroud/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (George Stroud/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Singer and songwriter John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and his wife Yoko Ono arrive at London Airport from New York, 14th July 1971. (Photo by R. Brigden/Daily Express/Getty Images) (R. Brigden/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon Beatles John Lennon (1940 - 1980) and George Harrison (1943 - 2001) leave Heathrow Airport for two months' transcendental meditation at Rishikesh in the Himalayas with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, 15th February 1968. Accompanying them are their wives Cynthia and Patti, and Patti's younger sister Jenny. The other two Beatles are due to join them later. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Keystone/Getty Images)
Remembering John Lennon 1st June 1971: Singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lennon (1940 - 1980), previously of the now defunct pop group The Beatles, at London Airport. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
John Lennon birthday A life-size sculpture of John Lennon, titled "Imagine," is positioned in London's Carnaby Street on Oct. 8, 2021. Lennon would have turned 81 on Oct. 9, 2021. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press )
Remembering Lennon: A life-size sculpture of John Lennon entitled 'Imagine', was moved to Carnaby Street in London on Oct. 8, 2021 -- a day before what would have been Lennon's 81st birthday. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press )
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