We know John Lennon for many things: He was the founding member of the Beatles, the English rock band that swept the world throughout the 60s. He was a peace activist whose words of wisdom became a voice of sanity during the darkest days of the Vietnam War. His signature songs "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance" became the anthem of the anti-war movement.
In the end, however, his fame killed him. On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was assassinated, shot four times in the back by a man named Mark David Chapman, who later said he did it because Lennon was famous and killing him would create for the killer "instant notoriety, fame."
Lennon died in the arms of his wife, Yoko Ono.
Revered in death as he was in life, Lennon was declared by the Rolling Stones magazine to be the 5th greatest singer of all time. A BBC survey also named him the 8th Greatest Briton that ever lived.
Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
In the end, however, his fame killed him. On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was assassinated, shot four times in the back by a man named Mark David Chapman, who later said he did it because Lennon was famous and killing him would create for the killer "instant notoriety, fame."
Lennon died in the arms of his wife, Yoko Ono.
Revered in death as he was in life, Lennon was declared by the Rolling Stones magazine to be the 5th greatest singer of all time. A BBC survey also named him the 8th Greatest Briton that ever lived.
Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
