A deranged fan shot and killed former Beatles member John Lennon outside of his apartment on the upper West Side of New York City. Lennon's death shocked the world, and seemed to put a definitive end to the 1960s and 1970s idealist dreams of peace and love.
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How was John Lennon murdered?
While returning home with his wife Yoko Ono, Lennon was shot four times in the back by Mark David Chapman outside the Dakota apartment building in New York City. For months prior to the murder, Chapman had been stalking Lennon and had even tried to get an autograph from him earlier on the day of the murder. The singer was pronounced dead on arrival at the nearby Roosevelt Hospital. He was 40 years old.
What is John Lennon’s legacy?
It is said that the influence of John Lennon and the Beatles on the sound, style, and attitude of popular music was a veritable "revolution," more than just the lead wave of the so-called British invasion. But Lennon's legacy goes beyond just the music: he was a passionate activist, advocating for world peace, in particular in his speaking out against the Vietnam War. He used his fame and platform to bring attention to important causes, inspiring people to stand up against injustice. He was also an outspoken advocate for the rights of women and people of color.
