Summary
- John Lennon predicted his own death years before his assassination, receiving warnings from psychics and grappling with paranoia.
- Mark David Chapman, a troubled fan, assassinated Lennon in front of his home in December 1980.
- Lennon's death had a profound impact on fans, family, and fellow Beatles.
When music icon John Lennon was assassinated in December 1980, it shook the world. Only forty years old, the former Beatle was celebrated as a revolutionary. The Beatles changed the industry forever and played a critical role in the British Invasion. With Paul McCartney, Lennon became one of the most prolific songwriters in entertainment history.
Lennon's untimely death was tragic in every way. The legend, while still working on music, had been dedicated to raising his son with his wife, Yoko Ono. Eerily, the legend predicted his own demise before his assassination. In this article, we will discuss how John Lennon predicted his death, his assassination, and his passing's impact.
How Did John Lennon Predict His Own Death?
In the 1960s and 1970s, John Lennon was one of the most famous men in the world. Even the FBI investigated him after he released an angry song. While Lennon enjoyed unimaginable success with the Beatles, he also was able to enjoy a significant solo career after the group's breakup. Beyond his passion for music, Lennon was deeply invested in being an advocate for causes he cared about. Due to his popularity, Lennon had a strong voice and was able to influence his legions of fans.
Lennon was well aware of his fame, from early on in the Beatles era. According to Grunge, he believed his success could ultimately lead to his death. The entertainer became paranoid and thought someone would be out to get him. While he was still with the Beatles, Lennon articulated that "we'll either go in a plane crash or we'll be popped off by some loony", according to Nicki Swift.
Furthermore, Lennon reportedly received a note from a psychic years before his passing, and she told him that he might be assassinated in the United States, according to ShowbizCheatSheet. Cynthia Lennon, Lennon's ex-wife, elaborated by saying the following:
"My second thought was that for the past fourteen years John had lived with the fear that he would be shot. In 1966, he'd received a letter from a psychic, warning that he would be shot while he was in the States."
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Lennon's early prophecy proved to be correct. A mentally troubled man named Mark David Chapman, who claimed to be a follower of Lennon's, decided to assassinate the entertainer on the evening of December 8th, 1980, according to All Things Interesting. Lennon was assassinated in front of his home, the Dakota apartment complex in New York City. Even more bizarre, Chapman and Lennon had a friendly exchange earlier that afternoon when Chapman approached Lennon seeking an autograph.
- Chapman was only 25 years old when he ended Lennon's life
- He flew from his home in Hawaii to New York with the intention of assassinating Lennon
Chapman allegedly loathed the artist, prompting him to assassinate the music legend. According to All Things Interesting, Chapman first began to have harsh feelings about Lennon after the singer's controversial comments regarding the popularity of the Beatles and Jesus.
Chapman recalled the fatal incident with clarity in an interview:
"John came out, and he looked at me, and I think he recognized...here's that fellow that I signed the album earlier, and he walked past me."
The convicted criminal then shot at Lennon multiple times, and Lennon reportedly yelled "I'm shot!!" Lennon would pass away shortly after due to his injuries. According to Jay Hastings, who was an employee of the Dakota, "he had blood coming out of his mouth. He just collapsed on the floor."
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Lennon was transported to Roosevelt Hospital but was already deceased upon arrival. According to Dr. Stephen Lynn, one of the physicians who tended to Lennon, "extensive resuscitative efforts were made. But in spite of transfusions and many procedures, he could not be resuscitated."
Lynn elaborated and shared that, "there was a significant injury of the major vessels inside the chest, which caused a massive amount of blood loss, which probably resulted in his death. I'm certain that he was dead at the moment that the first shots hit his body."
Following his passing, Lennon was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery. A memorial, Strawberry Fields, was dedicated in his memory in Central Park. While not known for certain, some fans believe Yoko Ono spread his ashes in the same area of Central Park.
Weirdly, Chapman did not flee the crime scene and did not resist immediate arrest. Unfazed by the assassination, he reportedly chose to read his favorite novel, The Catcher in the Rye, before he was taken into custody, according to All Things Interesting. For Chapman, perhaps he felt he had a possessed duty to end Lennon's life. Due to his actions, Chapman was sentenced to twenty years to life in prison. As of March 2024, Mark David Chapman remains in prison at the Green Haven Correctional Facility.
Lennon is among numerous entertainers who have predicted their deaths, including:
- Jimi Hendrix
- Jim Morrison
- Ronnie Van Zant
What Was The Impact Of John Lennon's Death?
John Lennon's death was greatly felt by fans around the world. He was the first member of the Beatles to pass away, and his death was a painful reminder of celebrity mortality.
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Probably nobody felt his passing more than his family and fellow Beatles. According to Paul McCartney, "it was just so horrific that you couldn't take it in - I couldn't take it in. Just for days, you just couldn't think that he was gone."
On his birthday and anniversary of his death, fans often travel to Strawberry Fields in Central Park to pay their respects. More than forty years after his passing, Lennon remains missed, celebrated, and respected.
John Lennon is undeniably an artist who had a diverse career. Importantly, he left behind an incredible body of work for fans to enjoy. From his Beatles recordings to his solo efforts, Lennon's catalog is treasured by fans young and old. The Beatles even released a song with Lennon's vocals in November 2023 entitled "Now and Then."
