Posted in: Musicouching by Papa Sparks on December 8th, 2009 | 20 Comments
Where were you on the tragic December night 29 years ago?
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Image by Mark Heard via Flickr
I’ll never forget the night John Lennon was assassinated outside his Dakota apartment in New York City on that tragic December night 29 years ago.
I was a student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and it was the week before finals. I was living in Freeman Hall, an off campus dorm and had been studying in my room and listening to a local FM radio station. I was curious as to why the DJ was playing so many Beatles’ songs.
I took a break from my studies, went up to the first floor TV lounge to see what the Monday Night Football Score was and soon learned from Howard Cosell that John Lennon had been shot.
I rushed back downstairs and burst into my friend Paul Collin’s room.
“Paul,” I said, out of breath from running downstairs, “John Lennon has been shot.”
Paul, who had been sitting on a bean bag chair studying, closed his book and looked up at me. “Now I know the world is going to end. Someone shot a Beatle.”
In 2000, I wrote a column for the Korea Times Remembering John Lennon.
We miss you John.
cardy December 8th, 2009 at 9:41 am
A lovely article from you loved the read. you have told this story well, thanks for you’re thoughts and feelings on this great man.
papaleng December 8th, 2009 at 10:21 am
You have told a great story, my friend. john Lennon’s death 29 years ago was a real shocker to millions of fans, include me. I was then with my wife spending quiet times at a park when the sad news was flashed on most TV stations. My first reaction was, Oh! it’s another bad joke, but to surprise it was true.
Christine Ramsay December 8th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I was horrified when I fist heard of John’s death. Being from near Liverpool I felt he was almost part of the family. Thank you for the memories.
Christine
mkd1788 December 8th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
thanks for introducing John Lennon…
johnnydod December 8th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
nice one my mate
Valerie Curtiss December 8th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Death of a musical genius, but still just a man. Great story.
ken bultman December 8th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I was never a fan but did not approve of his murder.
Guy Hogan December 8th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
It was so tradgic. Thank goodness we have the music. Even as a seventeen-year-old college student I realized The Beatles were a great band.
Reilley December 8th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I can recall exactly where I was – I was in a restaurant bar called ‘Chuck’s Steakhouse’ in Auburn, MA,playing a tabletop digital game of Asteroids with my roommate when Howard Cosell broke the news. We ordered a shot of Yukon Jack apiece, toasted to his memory, then spent much of the night arguing over which of his songs was the greatest.
Hard to beleive it was 29 years ago.
And today is my brother’s birthday, which is a wee bit spoiled because of it.
ceegirl December 8th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
That’s a long time ago.
Authoress Terry E. Lyle December 8th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
What a tragic ending to a musical legend. R.I.P.
Frances Lawrence December 8th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
It was a very sad and pointless way to die. I don’t remember where I was when I heard about his death. It was a nicely written article.
athena goodlight December 8th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Undeniably, John Lennon is one of the musical geniuses in the history of music. This is truly a good write up. Thanks.
Shirley Shuler December 8th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
John Lennon was a musical legend, Papa. Thank you for remembering!!
cutedrishti8 December 9th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Thanks for giving information about this great person..
giftarist December 9th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Truly a Music genius, John will always be remembered!
Lord Banks December 9th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I liked most of his music it was a sad loss to the music industry, and the loss of a nice man. Good article as always.
Kate Smedley December 9th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Such a musical genius and such a tragic event. Thanks for remembering his loss.
Yovita Siswati December 10th, 2009 at 1:37 am
It was one of most tragic days in music history. He and his music will always be remembered.
lillyrose December 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Gosh, I can’t believe it was that long ago! such a tragedy, such a talented man.