Yoko Ono, 85, and fans pay tribute to John Lennon on the 38th anniversary of the beloved Beatle’s murder in NYC
- Today marks the 38th anniversary of John Lennon’s death at the age of 40
- He was shot four times by gunman Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980
- His widow Yoko Ono, 85, paid tribute to him on Twitter
- She shared his philosophy saying: ‘Everything you think and do affects our society. So think peace. Start with that’
- Fans gathered at his memorial Strawberry Fields in Central Park to lay flowers and sing Lennon’s songs
Yoko Ono and devoted Beatles fans are sharing tributes to music icon John Lennon on the 38th anniversary of his murder.
The beloved Beatle founder died at the age of 40 on December 8, 1980 when he was gunned down by Mark David Chapman four times in the back at close range in the archway of the singer’s New York home The Dakota.
Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, 85, shared a few words on Twitter in his memory.
Yoko Ono, 85, paid tribute to John Lennon on Saturday, the 38th anniversary of his murder at the age of 40
She took to Twitter to share his philosophy writing: ‘Everything you think and do affects our society. So think peace. Start with that.’
She shared a post from the John Lennon Twitter account urging fans to share their favorite quotes and thoughts by the beloved Beatle on the anniversary of his death
She retweeted a Twitter page dedicated to John that said: ‘Today as we think of John and all the great works he gave us, please share your favourite songs, lyrics, quotes, philosophies, artworks, doodles and memories of John.’
She followed with his philosophy: ‘Everything you think and do affects our society. So think peace. Start with that.’
Fans of the music legend gathered at his memorial Strawberry Fields on the Upper West Side of Central Park to share a moment of silence and sing some of Lennon’s favorite songs.
Crowds braved the cold to lay flowers and pictures on the floor of the Imagine mosaic – an emblem dedicated to Lennon’s cry for world peace.
Fans gathered at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, a memorial dedicated to Lennon, on Saturday to share a moment of silence and sing some of his songs
Fans laid flowers in the shape of a peace sign on the Imagine mosaic at the park’s memorial
The memorial was created by Lennon’s widow Ono and landscape architect Bruce Kelly.
The gathering is an annual tradition for fans moved by the Fab Four songwriter’s legacy.
The John Lennon Twitter page also shared the startling statistic that over 1,400,000 people have been killed by gun violence in the United States since his death.
Fellow bandmate Paul McCartney spoke out against the gun violence that took the life of his dear friend when he joined the March for Our Lives protest in March.
‘As you know, one of my best friends was shot not far from here,’ he said.
Paul McCartney is pictured with his wife Nancy Shevell at the New York City March for Our Lives protest in March where he paid tribute to his Beatles bandmate John Lennon. Lennon was gunned down in the exact location the march was held in 1980
Fans gathered at the gate outside of luxury apartment The Dakota on December 9, 1980, the day after Lennon was shot four times in the back by deranged gunman Mark David Chapman
The founder of the Fab Four was tragically killed on December 8, 1980 in the archway of his Upper West Side New York home The Dakota (right)
Glory days! McCartney previously said at the March for Our Lives Protest in March: ‘As you know, one of my best friends was shot not far from here.’ The Fab Four pictured together in 1963
‘It is important to me,’ McCartney said of the gun violence protests.
He walked hand in hand with his wife Nancy Shevell and cited John as an inspiration.
‘You know I am like everyone. I don’t know [if we can end it] but this is what we can do so I am here to do it,’ he said.
Lennon’s killer Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life for the singer’s murder.
He’s been imprisoned ever since and has been denied parole 10 times since he became eligible in 2000.