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The Murder of John Lennon . Abby Marodi. John Lennon. Born October 9, 1940 Liverpool, England Formed The Beatles in 1957 With Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison Left Beatles in 1969
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The Murder of John Lennon Abby Marodi
John Lennon • Born October 9, 1940 • Liverpool, England • Formed The Beatles in 1957 • With Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison • Left Beatles in 1969 • Released new album Double Fantasy a few weeks before he died at age 40 on December 8th, 1980
Lennon’s Pacifist Ways • Anti-war • Vietnam • Attended spiritual events • 1968 the Beatles went to Maharisi Yogi in India • They wrote the White Album during this time • The song Revolution was about changing the world to pacifist ways • Ironic that he was shot
Mark David Chapman • Fan of the Beatles • Shot John Lennon • 57 years old • From Hawaii • Arrived in NYC one week before the murder • Stayed in different YMCAs • Checked into Sheraton Center Hotel in Manhattan • Seen on Sunday at hotel asking about Lennon • On Monday December 8that 5pm, he asked Lennon for autograph
Monday Dec 8th, 1980 • John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono leave their apartment building, the Dakota (near Central Park), to go to recording studio around 5pm • Chapman asked for autograph • When they return, Chapman calls out “Mr. Lennon” • Lennon turns around and Chapman shoots five bullets and hit him four times.
The Aftermath • Lennon is rushed to St. Luke-Roosevelt’s hospital where he soon dies • Chapman stayed at the scene of the murder and was arrested and charged with homicide. • Chapman brought the gun from Hawaii, and nobody knew how he got it to NYC
Chapman’s Story • After he met John, he said he was “very cordial and a very decent man” • He was a fan of the Beatles who thought killing John Lennon would make him famous • Also thought about killing other celebrities such as Johnny Carson and Elizabeth Taylor • He said John Lennon was more accessible because his apartment building by Central Park wasn’t crowded
“I felt that by killing John Lennon I would be somebody and instead of that I became a murderer and murderers are not somebodies.” • Mark David Chapman
“I heard this voice - not an audible voice, an inaudible voice - saying over and over, `Do it, do it, do it.’ I thought that by killing him I would acquire his fame.” • Mark David Chapman
The Aftermath • John was sentenced in 1981 for 20 years to life in prison • Denied parole in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012 • Yoko Ono said she wanted Chapman to remain in jail • Thought he was a danger to her, her family, and himself
John Lennon’s Legacy • Hundreds of thousand people came to his home • Returned each year • Strawberry Fields • John Lennon memorial • Central Park • People sing and light candles
Works Cited • http://beatlesnumber9.com/lennon.html • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2192596/John-Lennon-death-Killer-Mark-Chapman-denied-parole-seventh-time.html • http://www.biography.com/people/john-lennon-9379045 • http://socialistalternative.org/news/article20.php?id=1217