It was 40 years ago today that John Lennon was murdered. I can clearly remember the events of that day. I was 22 years old, married, with a 3 year old daughter and a 4 month old son, living in a one bedroom apartment in New York, (Westchester County) I woke up to the phone ringing and when I answered. all I heard was, “He’s dead”. I’m like, “who’s this,” and it was my cousin, (the one who is my age). She repeated,, “he’s dead'” and then proceeded to tell me that John Lennon was shot and killed.
I got off the phone and I didn’t believe her. Years before there was a rumor that Paul McCartney was dead and a lot of my friends believed it and I never did, so I thought this was the same thing. I didn’t watch TV as much back then but I had the radio on and as the day progressed, the news came over the radio and they were playing all John’s music. Finally I put the TV on and faced the fact that yes, John Lennon was dead!
How devastating,, how could this happen to him. In October we had bought his and Yoko’s new album, “Double Fantasy.” Played it constantly since the day we got it. I was glued to the TV, could not get enough of the news. Nothing that would explain to me why this man was gunned down. Yes we all know who did it and his reasons why. Nothing could help me understand this tragedy.
I still have all the New York newspapers, from that day with their headlines, and continuing coverage. I watched as fans rushed down to hold vigils outside the Dakota. I was wishing I could be there, I cried along with the masses. In later years I’ve gone down to Strawberry Fields on this day to mourn him with other fans. To this day fans pay their respect and appreciation by gathering there on his birthday and the anniversary of his death. If you go anytime, there will always be people there reflecting on this great loss and talent.
I think about how John would feel about the politics that are going on today. He was very political, and strived for the truth, “all I want is the truth, just give me some truth.” I love John Lennon’s music. He has such an honesty, always revealing what he is going through. He’s so imperfect and not always nice. He makes me feel and relate so strongly to what he is saying.
Jealous Guy, I Don’t Want to be a Soldier Mama, Beautiful Boy, Gimme Some Truth, How Do You Sleep, Woman, I’m Stepping Out, Borrowed Time, Nobody Told Me, Love,(this brings me to tears every time), Working Class Hero, Steel and Glass, Power to the People, Oh My Love, ,Julia, Mother, Mind Games, Starting Over, It’s So Hard, I’m Losing You, Give Peace a Chance and of course Imagine, among many, many more.
Naming all these songs made me want to go listen, so I’ll go put on some CD’s and spend my afternoon reflecting and probably shedding a few tears.
RIP John