On December 8, 1980, I was watching Monday Night Football with my college roommates when Howard Cosell announced that John Lennon had been shot. We just looked at each other in stunned disbelief, flipped over to the news and started playing Lennon and Beatles albums.
I didn’t understand then why someone would kill John Lennon. 27 years later, it still makes no sense. Whether you agree with his politics or not, there is no question that the world lost a musical genius that day.
Oct 9, 1940 – Dec 8, 1980
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy was started by Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... he liked to say...
December 8, 1980 is a day that is etched in many of my friends' minds like perhaps nothing else is. For my generation, the Beatles were not just a popular music group. They were part of our lives and their songs were on all our lips.
For me, December 8, 1980 was also a land mark of sorts. That was the day that my problem with my hip joints manifested. That resulted eventually in bilateral replacement and once again revisions.
So, all in all, December 8, 1980 in particular and all December 8s since then have meant a lot to me.
Yes, such a meaningless loss. Since then of course, many such meaningless deaths have taken place and even if not deaths, other forms of nonsense keeps taking place all the time.
The song chosen by you is so poignant. All that we can do is dream now. It is hard not to be pessimistic about the world that we shall leave behind for our children and grand children.
Jay –
I can't believe not more response here. The Beatles were an icon of my youth and John a legend on his own. There was a powerful message in the words he penned, which transcended time and generation.
When my daughter applied for the Flynn Scholarship to attend ASU, she had to choose five people who had influenced her and explain why. She's an engineer type with a passion for music and the arts. John Lennon was one of her five. She was born in 1980 and yet, his music and message touched her life……….she understood.
Yes, whether or not you agreeed with his political views, the world lost a musical genius that day.
Great Tribute,
It's hard to believe that it has been 27 years already.
I remember how he helped me through my sad times, and still does, with his music. When he died, it was not just a tragedy for those who listened to his music- it was also a loss for the whole entire world. No longer do we have a spokesperson for peace, or for humanity. His dream of no war and anger is no longer spoken of. It was a real shame, truly tragic.