The legendary singer-songwriter was shot and killed on  Dec. 8, 1980, at age 40 in New York by Mark David Chapman at the entrance to the building where he lived. His death came just three weeks after the release of his album Double Fantasy, which marked the first album for Lennon since the birth of his son in 1975.

Fans around the world do commemorations of the singer's life and legacy , remembering his message of peace and lovand paying tribute to one of the premier songwriters of the modern era on this day.

Lennon was born Oct. 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England. His first band, the 'Quarrymen', evolved into what became the Beatles in 1960. He and fellow band member Paul McCartney would go on to form one of the most successful songwriting partnerships of the 20th century, writing most of the group's chartbuster songs.  Together they wrote dozens of hit tunes, ranging from "Help!" and "Ticket to Ride" to "Penny Lane" and "Let It Be."

Lennon's marriage to Japanese artist Yoko Ono in 1969 played a part in the disintegration of the Beatles a decade after the band's formation. He went on to have a successful solo career, with hits including "Mother," "Give Peace a Chance" and "Imagine."


FridayMoviez mourns and remembers one of the greatest singers and musical legends of our times - John Lennon.