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John Lennon
The Beatles co-founder and peace anthem writer — assassinated in New York in 1980
Deceased — John Lennon was shot and killed in New York City on December 8, 1980, at age 40. As a founding member of the Beatles and a solo artist, he was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
John Lennon was born in 1940 in Liverpool, England, and formed the Beatles, one of the most successful and influential bands in history. Alongside Paul McCartney, he wrote many of the group's most beloved songs, and his rebellious charisma made him one of the most famous people in the world.
After the Beatles split in 1970, Lennon launched a solo career that was both personal and political. His 1971 song Imagine became an enduring anthem for peace around the world. He largely retreated from the limelight in the late 1970s to raise his son Sean with his wife, Yoko Ono, in New York.
On December 8, 1980, Lennon was shot and killed outside his home in New York City by an obsessed fan. He was 40 years old. His death was a worldwide shock, and he remains one of the most mourned and influential figures in music history.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1940, Liverpool, England
- Died
- December 8, 1980, New York
- Band
- The Beatles (co-founder)
- Anthem
- Imagine (1971)
- Songwriting partner
- Paul McCartney
- Spouse
- Yoko Ono
- Legacy
- One of the 20th century's most influential musicians
Sources
- John Lennon - Wikipedia — Wikipedia (2026-09-05)
- Thirty years on, fans still weep for Lennon — The National (2026-09-05)
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