34 years ago today (December 9th)

[milagros317]

On December 9, 1980, John Lennon was assassinated by a disturbed young man named Mark Chapman. Chapman had come to New York from Hawaii just to carry out this murder. Unable to legally buy ammunition here, he flew to Atlanta, bought bullets there, returned to New York City and completed his plan.

Although I was at home, less than half a mile south of the scene of this crime, I didn't find out about it until the next morning (December 10) listening to the news during breakfast.

Where were you when you heard of Lennon's death?

 

[paracarl44]

This story made the news headlines everywhere, so I am unable to recall when and where I heard it.

 

[rdhd]

I remember it well, even tho I wasn't a big fan of him at the time. Just think of what might have been/could have been had he lived.... a Beatles reunion?? More material from him? His thoughts on the recent goings-on in the world?

 

[Mitchell]

It actually happened the night of Dec 8 in NYC at 1050pm. It was Dec 9 in the UK.

I was.. 10 at the time, and I was still awake that night at the time Lennon was shot. . I remember my parents having WABC TV news on, and the anchor saying "Fomer Beatle John Lennon shot to death on Manhattan's Upper West Side". I wasn't a fan of the Beatles yet at that time, so it didn't really dawn on me just how famous Lennon was.. until I saw the fans holding candles in what is now Strawberry Field in Central Park, NYC.

 

[Libertine]

I was on a bus in England on the way to rehearsal for a Christmas show and happened to be sitting with two female cast members. The bus stopped, another member of the cast got on, saw us, and he said, 'Have you heard? John Lennon's just been assassinated. He was shot'.

There was total silence. Shocked, I took a deep breath, then deadpanned with the gallows humour and callousness of youth, 'Well, that really fucks up the reunion'.

 

[PiedPiper]

I was watching the Monday Night football game during which Howard Cosell interrupted the game commentary to announce news of Lennon's death.

 

[kopfhorer]

I was listening to the radio that evening when I heard the DJ break in with the AP wire story about the assassination.

I also remember all the magazines, books, hastily tossed-together TV specials & radio shows, and other media about Lennon in the weeks that followed (remember "Boycott John Lennon memorial $hit"?).

 

[tklr1993]

I'm only 21 and this story still makes me heartbroken, sad and really pissed off.

 

[DontAskJusTckle]

I can remember it clearly. It was beyond tragic.

 

[SamuelKhan]

They collaborated with each other during the 70s though there were lucrative offers for a reunion. I believe they would have reunited if Lennon had lived.