Dec 8, 1980 - A day I will never forget!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Today marks 32 years since the senseless shooting of John Lennon by Mark David Chapman. I remember every detail of where I was and can still feel the horrific sense of loss I felt at the time. It was like I lost a member of my family.

Maybe today we can reflect a bit on the joy John Lennon brought us with his music by playing an album or a few songs!

[Villiam Hayes]

I was only a pup in 1980 so I don't actually remember it happening but it was a tragic loss not only of a decent man but a musical genius.
Unfortunately music has had this happen too often to some of it's biggest contributors.
John Lennon's music will live on forever and I will get some tunes on later Jonhny V!

[happyman]

"Working Class Hero" is my standout track,a brilliant wordsmith taken away,there should be a law against deranged people randomly depriving the world of the talented

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by happyman

"Working Class Hero" is my standout track,a brilliant wordsmith taken away,there should be a law against deranged people randomly depriving the world of the talented

John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band is my fave album of his. Have already played it this morning!

JLPOBCover.jpg

[nefilim]

Originally Posted by happyman

"Working Class Hero" is my standout track,a brilliant wordsmith taken away,there should be a law against deranged people randomly depriving the world of the talented

I love it too. many many times covered. but the best is by the screaming trees. do check it out.

funny these dates. Jim Morrison was born on 8th of Dec. (but not in 1980)

[ScarredLungs]

I was not even born on December 8, 1980

[sk33tr]

i was 10 years, 6 days old when he was shot.

i don't remember it because i was not into music then; i was more into hot wheels and star wars.

and i know this will piss off a lot of people, but i was never a fan of the beatles.

but, that doesn't mean that i don't think john lennon was a musical genius. he had a way with words and always seemed to tell a story with his songs.

[IronWaffle]

I was nine and had no idea who he was, though I'd seen staticky bits of Yellow Submarine on a UHF channel. I distinctly remember hearing other kids talk about it in school shortly after, so it left an impression. I became a huge Beatles fan from 1987-1990. I remember early on being spooked listening to the song Help and thinking, "he's dead, he was killed and he's singing to me." It wasn't a revelation but momentarily striking.

At the time he was killed I, too, was obsessed with Star Wars toys (hadn't seen the film) and Matchbox/Hot Wheels -- particularly a blue helicopter which around that time I accidentally threw out in a lunchbag. In my life, I've loved them all.

[Villiam Hayes]

Originally Posted by sk33tr

i was 10 years, 6 days old when he was shot.

i don't remember it because i was not into music then; i was more into hot wheels and star wars.

and i know this will piss off a lot of people, but i was never a fan of the beatles.

but, that doesn't mean that i don't think john lennon was a musical genius. he had a way with words and always seemed to tell a story with his songs.

I don't think it will piss anyone off,I wouldn't class myself as a fan but i admire their music and what they acheived,i mean everyone has a favourite Beatles track,right?incidentally my mum was a fan and the autographs,all four are locked away at home.

[nefilim]

Originally Posted by sk33tr

i was 10 years, 6 days old when he was shot.

i don't remember it because i was not into music then; i was more into hot wheels and star wars.

and i know this will piss off a lot of people, but i was never a fan of the beatles.

but, that doesn't mean that i don't think john lennon was a musical genius. he had a way with words and always seemed to tell a story with his songs.

why would it. I have never been a big fan. they have great tunes yes. but I'm more into darker stuff. sgt. peppers is a masterpiece no deny of that. mr harrison is fave if you must name one. famous, sure, but still kind of unsung hero ...

[happyman]

The best book I've read on the band is "The Love You Make" an insider's story of the Beatles by Peter Brown(friend,business manager and best man at John and Yoko's wedding).Reccommend this book to anyone,regardless of whether you like them or not!

[Moviefan1203]

I didn't agree with his politics, but his music is amongst the most influential of all time. Imagine is one of my favorite songs ever. God Bless You, sir.

[BStecke]

This is slightly before my time, but I was doing a bit of research on this event the other day. It got me thinking about the entertainment world we live in today, and if there was anybody whose murder/death would have even close to the same impact as Lennon's. Cobain's death was the last entertainer whose death I remember being seen as almost the death of an era . . . I really can't think of anybody today who is significant enough to cause near the same reaction.

[happyman]

Originally Posted by BStecke

This is slightly before my time, but I was doing a bit of research on this event the other day. It got me thinking about the entertainment world we live in today, and if there was anybody whose murder/death would have even close to the same impact as Lennon's. Cobain's death was the last entertainer whose death I remember being seen as almost the death of an era . . . I really can't think of anybody today who is significant enough to cause near the same reaction.

Michael Jackson is probably a recent example,not sure if anyone would shed a tear if PSY shuffled off the mortal coil

[Love Blu-Ray]

I really miss John Lennon! Right now I am listening to John Lennon live at Madison Square Garden in 1972 on YouTube

[filmnut5]

I recall watching Monday Night Football and hearing the news via Howard Cosell.

[Omegaice]

I was almost two years old when John was murdered. I grew up with my father & he greatly admired his music & vision. As BStecke & HappyMan stated above the passing Kurt Cobain & Micheal Jackson arose similar reactions from people. Though on a smaller scope compared to John Lennon.

[happyman]

Originally Posted by Omegaice

I was almost two years old when John was murdered. I grew up with my father & he greatly admired his music & vision. As BStecke & HappyMan stated above the passing Kurt Cobain & Micheal Jackson arose similar reactions from people. Though on a smaller scope compared to John Lennon.

Let's not forget Elvis, very much an influence for John and The Beatles,I remember being in year seven(your first year of junior high?),arriving at school to be told the news

[IronWaffle]

At the risk of being morbid or tasteless (and neither is my intent), I think what sets Lennon and Cobain's deaths apart are two-fold: both were highly regarded (rightly or wrongly) for making statements with their lyrics and having a greater public sense of self-awareness while Elvis and Jackson were performers first and foremost. As such, the depth (?) of mourning is different than, say, for Elvis, Jackson or even Houston. I think for many, Cobain and Lennon were like friends who offered guidance, solace and an outlet for emotional turmoil; the others were more purely idols who offered primarily escapist comfort.

Secondly, the intentional violence, whether perpetrated in Lennon's case or self-inflicted in Cobain's, was active while Elvis and Jackson met accidental ends that arguably read like their own isolation was leading to their sad, self-destructive ends. Had Lennon drunk or drugged himself to death, which seemed possible in 73-74, it would have shifted his legacy (for lack of a better word).

None of this diminishes the tragically premature loss of any of these excellent artists.

[nefilim]

Originally Posted by IronWaffle

At the risk of being morbid or tasteless (and neither is my intent), I think what sets Lennon and Cobain's deaths apart are two-fold: both were highly regarded (rightly or wrongly) for making statements with their lyrics and having a greater public sense of self-awareness while Elvis and Jackson were performers first and foremost. As such, the depth (?) of mourning is different than, say, for Elvis, Jackson or even Houston. I think for many, Cobain and Lennon were like friends who offered guidance, solace and an outlet for emotional turmoil; the others were more purely idols who offered primarily escapist comfort.

Secondly, the intentional violence, whether perpetrated in Lennon's case or self-inflicted in Cobain's, was active while Elvis and Jackson met accidental ends that arguably read like their own isolation was leading to their sad, self-destructive ends. Had Lennon drunk or drugged himself to death, which seemed possible in 73-74, it would have shifted his legacy (for lack of a better word).

None of this diminishes the tragically premature loss of any of these excellent artists.

I agree w/ you and would add Ian Curtis, Richey James Edwards and Layne Stanley to this list. all very talented persons. w/ personal demons. weather or not you embrace their music/lyrics -- they have affected millions. and they are not w/out merit. mr. Edwards lyrics are very highly regarded as are Curtis'.