Remembering John Lennon
A few hours before he assassinated John Lennon on December 8, 1980, Mark David Chapman stopped the famous Beatle and asked for an autograph.
"He was very kind to me," Chapman said. "Ironically, very kind and was very patient with me. The limousine was waiting ... and he took his time with me and he got the pen going and he signed my album. He asked me if I needed anything else. I said, no. No, sir and he walked away."
It's been 34 years since Lennon's untimely death, but fortunately for fans he left a large body of music, letters, personal writings and interviews behind. Below are a few to get you started.
Books
December 8, 1980: The Day John Lennon Died
In a breathtaking, minute-by-minute format, this account follows the events leading to the horrible moment when Mark David Chapman fired his .38 Special into the rock icon, realizing his perverse fantasy of attaining perennial notoriety.
The John Lennon Letters
Published together for the first time, this collection of letters to family, friends, lovers and complete strangers from the beloved Beatle offers an intimate look into the true personality and mind of one of popular music's most prolific and revered artists.
Lennon Remembers
This collection from Rolling Stone's 1970 interview with Lennon presents a compelling portrait of a complex musical genius at the height of his career.
Memories of John Lennon
Collected by Yoko Ono, these memories of Lennon by everyone from Mick Jagger to Annie Liebovitz reveal a touching portrait of a visionary and friend, musician and performer, husband and father, activist and joker.
Starting Over: The Making of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy
An oral history of the making of Double Fantasy and the definitive account of Lennon's last days, this book provides a fascinating, insightful commentary from all the key players involved in the album's extraordinary creation.
The Walrus and the Elephants: John Lennon's Years of Revolution
In late 1971, Lennon left London and pop stardom behind and moved to New York City, eager to join a movement for social justice and an end to the Vietnam War. This book is a look back at that time and at the revolutionary Lennon through the eyes of fellow fighters.
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