Fans mark 25th anniversary of Lennon’s murder

FANS around the world gathered yesterday to pay tribute to music icon John Lennon on the 25th anniversary of his murder.

In his home town of Liverpool, hundreds of white balloons containing tributes were released. More than 1,000 messages to the ex-Beatle were attached to the balloons which were sent into the sky from Albert Dock.

One message read: “Looking around at all that’s happening in the world today we need his voice now more than ever! He was the only hero I ever had, from Jim Cushman USA.”

Scores of Lennon fans from across the world gathered in the city of his birth to pay homage to the music legend.

A short service was held at John Lennon’s statue in Mathew Street in Liverpool - the home of the world famous Cavern Club where The Beatles played.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Alan Dean, said: “His influence on this and future generations is immense. Few people in his position used their fame to stand up against injustices and to spread the message of love and peace in the way he did. His political stances have influenced modern musicians such as Bono and Bob Geldof.”

Lennon was shot dead outside his New York apartment block, the Dakota Building, by crazed fan Mark Chapman on December 8, 1980.

In New York, fans brought flowers, candles and their own bittersweet memories.

“With the country at war, his work and philosophy seem more poignant and more desperately needed than ever,” said Kim Polson, who said she fell in love with the Beatles when she saw them on television at the age of eight.

She was an early morning visitor to Strawberry Fields, the section of Central Park just outside the Dakota apartment building.

Several dozen people had gathered by mid-morning, some local residents, some tourists.

Ms Polson recalled seeing Lennon in a coffee shop four months before he was killed. She stuck around to listen to him talk to a colleague.

“I came to the office two hours late that morning and my boss was furious, so I said, ‘Ask me why I’m late.’ When I told him, he was no longer angry. I’ll be late for work again today. John Lennon made me late again,” she said.

Chapman remains in New York’s Attica state prison, where his third request for parole was denied in October.