It Was 30 Years Ago Today...

[Kevy Baby]

On this day in 1980, John Lennon was taken from us. He was, in my opinion, not only one of the greatest song writers of our time, but a great man. His presence is sorely missed.

[Snowflake]

Kevy, I agree with you 100%. I will never forget the day, a very sad day. What I can't believe is that this was 30 years ago, it feels like yesterday.

PBS just ran an episode of American Experience on John Lennon, worth checking it, it was very well done. Lots of interview material woth Lennon I'd not heard and loads of recollections by friends and colleagues.

Listen to some John Lennon today, you won't regret it!

[JWBear]

I can still remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news.

[Alex]

So can I. It was at lunch, in middle school, and everybody looked at me like and alien since it was 1987.

[blueerica]

I was a little too little to remember the specifics, but I remember my mom crying. She'd shed tears at each anniversary for a while.

[innerSpaceman]

:(

My cheese was so sad that day, and still is.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I have to admit, I don't remember a world where John Lennon is still alive. In my extensive high school research on the Beatles I came to realize that he felt more mythic than Paul, George or Ringo, partly because he was in some ways, but mostly because to me he never existed.

I think that I did get to a point where I learned enough that he became as real and human to me as the others, and his death morphed from obvious eventuality to tragic accident of fate.

I think I can now honestly say - I miss you, John.

<3

[Kevy Baby]

I have to admit, I don't remember a world where John Lennon is still alive.Well, you were only 3-1/2 when he died.

[Gemini Cricket]

I remember that day. I liked the Beatles even back then. I remember seeing the born and died dates under his picture on the news. I was sad sad sad.

[Gemini Cricket]

I just listened to "A Day in the Life". It's such a powerful song.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I was 14, living in Long Island, and already the proud owner of every Beatles album by the time Dec, 1980 arrived. On that fateful day, I remember my mom waking me earlier than normal for school and gently breaking the news because she knew I would take it hard. And I did.

A few days later, all of the radio stations got together for a simultaneous minute of silence. I gathered with all of my Beatle-loving friends beforehand at a street corner we liked to hang out, and someone brought a radio and some cheap wine, probably Boone's Farm. It was freezing out and we were all bundled up. We cuddled together, shivering but not daring to make a sound during that moment. After, with tears in our eyes, we each toasted John then listened to the steady stream of Beatles music that emanated from the radio for the rest of the day (and many more to follow).

I'll remember both of those days for the rest of my life. I think that's when I finally lost my innocence.

[Kevy Baby]

I remember listening to Jim Ladd the night it happened and he went OFF. If I recall correctly, he was swearing and was actually pulled off the air in mid sentence (several moments of dead air).

Many people learned off his death from Howard Cosell on Monday Night Football

[RStar]

I feel old. I remember where I was when Elvis died in 1977, for crying out loud, not to mention John! Of course I think John was more of a loss for me.

I just got a copy of "Love" the musical. Great work!

RIP, my friend.