The 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death has many recalling where they were when they heard the news. Like millions, I first learned about Lennon being gunned down when legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell interrupted a "Monday Night Football" broadcast to tell viewers:
"Yes, we have to say, remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy, confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City, John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous, perhaps, of all of the Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, dead on arrival."
But what I recall most vividly isn't the initial shock of Lennon's death, but of turning on the CBS News the next evening to hear Walter Cronkite lead his broadcast with the following words:
"The death of a man who sang and played the guitar overshadows the news from Poland, Iran and Washington tonight."
There I sat, a sullen, acne-faced teenager, watching the news with my middle-aged mom. She had come of age in the generation before Beatlemania, I in the generation just after; she loved jazz crooners, I was in my Led Zeppelin phase. But as we listened to Cronkite we both cried (quietly and stoically, of course. We don't do warm-and-fuzzy in the upper Midwest.)
On a grand scale, Cronkite's broadcast was the kind of shared experience that, three decades hence, in an age of thousands of TV channels and millions of websites, has all but disappeared. But mostly that moment was about me and my mom and a very wise reporter who understood that the death of a man who sang songs and played the guitar was a story we'd remember for the rest of our lives.
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Comments
This really struck home with me. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of John Lennon’s death, Elvis’ death, the Challenger Explosion, and of course the events of 9/11. I wonder what my students will remember as life-changing events in their own lives when we read this article together. Maybe we’ll post our responses.
interesting article!
This was excellent. As a teenager, I of course was not alive during the time of Mr. Lennon, but he and his music will definitely be legendary to me and many others.
I think it is very interesting the affect that someone can have even after death. Although I was not alive during this time, this is defiantly a name that will be heard through the generations. This was a very well written article.
Okay, I’m glad to see some of you read and posted, but what about significant, life-changing events that have occurred in your own lives? Have you experienced, as a generation, anything that might be looked back upon in ten, twenty, or thirty years in the way my generation views John Lennon’s death?
I was not there at the time of Lennon’s death, but I can imagine that it was collectively traumatic.
awesome…..u get an A for effort…whohooo!!! JOOHN LENNON rocks
I think John Lennon was a legend, and i think his death still has an impact on today’s society.
Good Article.
The death of John Lennon seems to have been a big ordeal. I really enjoyed the article and look forward to reading more. Something like witnessing September 11, 2001 and the beginning of the birth of myself.
It’s really so sad that somebody has to die over a stupid reason….Even with people that doesn’t have nothing to do with, minding there own busines, and and doing what they…untill theres somebody to come and ruin it..R.I.P John Lennon
very touching and tragic story of a singer
It is very interesting that someone can affect so many people after their death. I was not alive when he was alive but I know a lot about him showing how much of an effect he still has on the world!
This article makes me truly realize the way we idolize people. The way we turn average humans into idols, into objects, and things. John Lennon like Michael Jackson was a HUGE musical figure with much impact, but will go on in history far longer and more well known than other important people in life.
This was an excellent article. I was alive during his time, but his music has impacted people from the time he was living until now. His music will forever be around!
i just dont really care.
I dont see the importance.
I dont think that we should focus on the past.
thats all.
When i read this article, i can kind of relate to it, by looking back at my last summer, when the legendary Michael Jackson passed away. And alot of us were grieving, even though we didn’t personally know him. I know i was sad, because the death of anyone affects me in a way that it makes me think about life and how fast it can be taken from you. I feel bad for the people that looked up to him and the same goes for John Lennon. This is a nice article
In addition, this event reminds me of September 11th, 2001; a date that will be forever outstanding as a day of rememberance and empowerment for Americans.
I love getting high to his music, acid is my choose of drug but i prefer weed laced with acid. I miss him already. DO DRUGS AND DROPP OUTTA SCHOOL KIDS( DOO ACID TO)
This was a very interesting article. I can imagine how you felt to learn that your idol died. This was how I felt when I found out lil wayne was going to jail.
This is a very touching and interesting article. This article reminds me of 9/11 when all of those people died. That was a day to remember, and the death of John Lennon will also be a day to remember. He was in a popular band, The Beatles, where they were known everywhere. So many people are affected by this. It’s a tragedy.
John Lennon effected my life to the point that I would shed tears of joy when I thought about him. His music touched me in ways that I cannot explain because If I told you I would probably cry and not like any more music. Over all this was a very interesting article because it warmed my heart.
Also David w., I agree with your opinion because it is very very interesting to my thoughts.
9/11 is the event that has most significantly affected my life. It had an affect on my family and all of the people around me. It has changed the way that others view the rest of the world and has changed things such as airport security forever
John Lennon was an talented man who affected the lives of many. This man has been idolized by millions of people, and im sure his fans will miss him greatly. Although his death was tragic, his fans will also suffer. I feel sympathy for his fans. I know his legacy will live on.
I feel like we have lost someone that has brought soul to the home. We have lost a musical ICON. My mother grew up listening to him so, I know even though you don’t know them personally you can still be affected.