Fans of music legend John Lennon are marking what would have been his 86th birthday today, October 9. The Beatles songwriter was murdered on December 8, 1980, when he was shot outside his Manhattan residence by Mark David Chapman. He was rushed to hospital in the back of a police vehicle, but was pronounced dead upon arrival. He was 40 years old.
Ringo's recollection of the news
During a 1981 interview with Barbara Walters, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr recalled the devastating moment he learned John had been shot while talking on the telephone with his wife Barbara Bach's daughter Francesca Gregorini while they were in Barbados, reports the Express.
"And so, that drove me crazy," Ringo said, before explaining his initial assumption was that he'd been shot in the leg or the arm. "And then, they came back and they said, he's uh, he's dead."
Arranging the trip to New York
He has since revealed he immediately arranged a flight to take them to New York to be with Yoko, who encouraged them to spend time with her and John's son Sean, and to "keep him busy". The Beatles legend then requested they 'stop it (the interview) there' as he visibly struggled to discuss the harrowing moment, with Ringo admitting remembering what happened "always makes me upset".
Last meeting and lasting grief
The drummer went on to reveal he'd seen John for the last time on November 15 that year, saying he'd been staying at the Plaza in New York when John came by with Yoko. "And we had such a great time, cause they stayed five hours," he said. "And it didn't matter it was a year between we didn't see each other, it was always fine when we did."
Further into the conversation, Ringo expressed simply: "I'm really sad. I still miss John a great deal, I'll always miss him, you know. But it's still brand new."
Concluding his reflections, Ringo stated: "And then the a****** appeared," referring to killer Mark David Chapman. "There's no understanding it. You think about it, but I'm telling you, you never understand it. The world has lost a wonderful man."
Ringo has subsequently revealed additional details about that moment while discussing his late friend, though he frequently becomes just as emotional as he did four decades ago. He has candidly admitted he continues to miss John Lennon "a great deal" and "every day," recognising the deep and enduring impact of his friend's passing.
