World marks John Lennon's life 30 years after death

All you need is love: John Lennon will be remembered today 30 years after his death
12 April 2012

Millions of people will remember John Lennon today, exactly 30 years after the former Beatle was murdered.

His widow Yoko Ono led the tributes, saying the world was still learning from his messages of peace.

She said: "On this tragic anniversary, please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect.

"In his short-lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world. The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you."

Ono, who was beside Lennon when he was gunned down in New York, will perform at a charity concert she has organised in Japan called Dream Power John Lennon Super Live.

Now in its 10th year, some of the country's top artists will gather to participate in the gig at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, which raises money for schools for deprived children all over the world.

An eclectic mix of 15 acts will perform alongside Ono, with one artist, Kyoka Suzuki, performing a reading of Lennon's hit Imagine.

Organisers hope money raised from this year's event will be spent on 12 new schools in six countries - one each in Haiti, Guatemala and Mali, two each in the Philippines and Senegal, and five in Pakistan.

The focus of the memorials in the UK will be in Lennon's home city of Liverpool, where hundreds of people are expected to attend a vigil tonight.

They will gather around a monument dedicated to the singer to light candles and sing songs.

Peace and Harmony was unveiled earlier this year by Lennon's former wife Cynthia and their son Julian in Chavasse Park.

Local musicians will lead the wellwishers and Beatles fans as they celebrate the life of one of Liverpool's best-loved sons.

Jerry Goldman from The Beatles Story, a museum dedicated to the band, was behind the European Peace Monument coming to Liverpool.

He said: "Although the European Peace Monument has only been on public display for just over a month it's already taken on a global significance of its own.

"People from all over the world are coming to the city to pay their respects and consider Lennon's message of peace through his music.

"The city is very excited that we finally have a focal point at which to remember Lennon and look forward to a vigil that will reach out to people the world over."

The vigil of remembrance will last from 8pm to 9.30pm.

Lennon was shot dead outside the Dakota building where the couple lived in Manhattan on December 8, 1980, two months after his 40th birthday.

Fans on the other side of the Atlantic are expected to pay their respects at the Strawberry Fields memorial garden in Central Park, directly opposite the spot where he was blasted by crazed fan Mark Chapman.

More events will be taking place across Liverpool to remember the singer this week.

There will be a charity concert tomorrow night at the Echo Arena, called Lennon Remembered - The 9 Faces of John, which will feature the Liverpudlian's friends and former bandmates performing his most famous songs.

The acts will include his first band The Quarrymen, and friends Tony Sheridan and Tony Bramwell.

All profits from the concert are being donated to regional charities the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal, Radio City's Cash For Kids and the Mathew Street Festival.

Lennon's half sister Julia Baird said: "This will be a very emotional evening, not only for our family, but I'm sure it will be a very special night for the other performers on stage and for the audience, as we all unite in our love for John and his wonderful, immortal music."

Tomorrow will also be the last day of the recreation of Lennon and Ono's famous Bed-In at Liverpool's Bluecoat museum.

People have been getting into the bed for the last two months to pay tribute to the singer from the date of what would have been his 70th birthday - October 9.

The participants will share their experiences of the Bed-In, and the many blankets, films and songs which have been created between the sheets will go on display.

After, the bed will be shredded and broken down into its component parts and turned into compost for the Bluecoat garden.

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