This day, painful to bring to mind, would have been the birthday of this icon, born in England, if still living, but he isn’t. He was shot by a deranged man in New York on his way home the evening of December 8, 1980. He was not yet 40 years old.
The creator of these ‘songs of peace’ is often recalled to memory by the ‘butterfly and flower,’ reflecting his devotion to peace. One hundred and twenty-one countries have endorsed famous Strawberry Fields as a Garden of Peace. His memorable signature song ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ is the focus of remembrance each year for generations who never laid eyes on him when alive.
‘Living is Easy with Eyes Closed’
One of the quotes from his song “Strawberry Fields”, is ‘living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see’. He dreamed of being in a world void of war because in his ‘chosen perfect world’ fighting wars would not be a necessity. His mission was to speak through music to all people of all ages, anywhere, about peace, his favorite subject of all. His dreams were of a world filled with peace.
A classic individual, certain of his positive belief in this worldwide peace possibility, loved to sing of peace giving this love its fair chance with for the earth’s people everywhere. This is the definition of the man called John Lennon.
A Restless Voice and a Giver of Good
John Lennon’s first band, the Quarry Men, eventually led to the greatest musical group of all time, first called by several other names before settling on the ' Beatles' name. After John left the Beatles, he never stopped aiming for perfection, while constantly pursuing his love and passion for peace. He just knew world peace was attainable, often stating if people wanted it bad enough, it could be attained.
One of the greatest collaboration efforts in the history of modern music resulted in hits like “Love Me Do”, “Please, Please Me”, and “She Loves You.” The Beatles appeared at Carnegie Hall in February of 1964 for a stellar performance, and soon thereafter a Royal Command Performance before Her Majesty, the Queen. The recording of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” became the biggest-selling British single in history with 15 million copies sold worldwide.
Splitting from the Beatles in 1970
John Lennon journeyed forward in interesting and varied directions alone. This amazing man wrote the song, ‘Happy X-Mas’ which promoted giving to less-wealthy children in third world countries.
John Lennon scored “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Rubber Soul Album Book”.
He sold 100,000 copies of his book, In His Own Write as well as his creation of A Spaniard in the Works.
His recording of “Give Peace a Chance” became a living symbol for the peace movement.
John Lennon Is Shot Dead in New York City
On his way home on the evening of December 8, 1980, he was shot down on the sidewalk, and died at the hospital.
His beloved wife, Yoko Ono, was distraught, but continued her life believing in his life and continuing to stand for causes close to his grateful heart.
Ono’s Definitive Tribute
This Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland developed as a massive undertaking by Yoko Ono. It was unveiled on the 30th anniversary of her beloved husband’s death, October 9, 2010, on Videy Island in Reikjavik, Iceland.
The design, ‘a peace column’, built with a capability to create continuous change in strength and brilliance of the light-creating clear pillar of light on cloudless nights, intense iridescence with rainbow refractions in snow or rain, and a mesmerizing glow when reflecting through cloud layers is her own design to pay complete honor to her husband.
It is 20-30 meters high with the radius of a meter. The lyrics of ‘Imagine’ are to be engraved on the ‘Imagine Peace Tower’ with a constructed column over the base of 10 meters to be filled with messages of wishes and hopes from more than 900,000 people. She has stated the peace pole idea was in her head 40 years ago. In her own words, Yoko Ono has commented that the idea could not be more appropriate.
She speaks of the Imagine Peace Tower in this way... “Light is what the world needs so desperately as we all live in the darkness and confusion of this polluted world.” She then gives her promise...
‘This column of light in Iceland will not be extinguished’...Yoko Ono.
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