The World Was Shocked On December 8, 1980
John Lennon was one of pop culture’s brightest stars. As a musician and an activist, he had an incredible impact on the world. He was only 40 years old when his life was taken on a New York City street in 1980. Lennon’s last day was filled with meaningful moments, including the creation of an iconic photograph, his last recording, tender moments with his wife and son, and even kindness towards the man who took his life.
Mark David Chapman Stayed Outside The Dakota All Day
Early on December 8, 1980, Chapman arrived outside the Dakota, an imposing 19th-century apartment building. Situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, it has been home to several famous people, including Lauren Bacall, Roberta Flack, Paul Simon, and John Lennon.
Who Was Chapman?
At the time, Chapman was 25 years old. He was a resident of Hawaiʻi and despite having worked previously as a security guard, he was unemployed.
Donaldson Collection, Getty Images
He Brought Lennon’s Album For An Autograph
Chapman, a long-time fan of The Beatles, hoped to see John Lennon on that fateful day. He carried a copy of Double Fantasy, the album Lennon had recorded with his wife, Yoko Ono, in the latter half of 1980. The record had just been released on November 17, 1980.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
He Also Brought A Book, A Revolver, And Ammunition
Chapman’s other possessions that day included a paperback copy of JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, a five-shot .38 caliber Charter Arms revolver, and ammunition.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
He Carried The Revolver To New York On A Plane
Chapman purchased the revolver in Honolulu on October 27, 1980. After seeking advice from the Federal Aviation Administration on the best way to transport a revolver on a flight, Chapman flew to New York City with it on October 29. He stayed until November 12 or 13 before flying home to Hawaiʻi for a few weeks. His final flight to the Big Apple was on December 6.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
He Chatted With Other Fans As He Waited
As Chapman waited for his chance to see Lennon on December 8, he chatted with the building’s doorman and other fans waiting for the former Beatle. He stuck close to the entrance of the Dakota all day.
David Shankbone, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
He Missed His First Chance
Chapman missed his first chance to see Lennon. That morning, the musician left the apartment he shared with Ono to get his hair cut. He returned by taxi around 11:00 am. Distracted, Chapman didn’t see Lennon step out of the taxi and enter the building.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Annie Leibovitz Arrived For A Photo Session
Around the same time Lennon arrived home, Leibovitz—the famed portrait photographer—arrived at the Dakota. She had a photo session booked with Lennon and Ono. That day, Leibovitz captured an iconic image that was later named one of the top magazine covers between 1965 and 2005.
Robert Scoble, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Leibovitz Wanted A Photo Of Lennon And Ono Unclothed
Leibovitz took photos of Lennon alone and also of Lennon and Ono together. She encouraged both musicians to shed their clothing, saying that a photo of them unclothed would make the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Joost Evers, Wikimedia Commons
Leibovitz’s Iconic Photo
Ono was reluctant to pose without clothing. However, Lennon insisted that the Rolling Stone cover photo include both him and his wife. In the end, Ono kept her clothes on while Lennon shed his—and Leibovitz took the iconic photo of the two lying together, with Lennon curled in a fetal-like position around his wife.
Lennon And Ono Loved Leibovitz’s Photo
Leibovitz captured the iconic image on a Polaroid, allowing the three to view it immediately. When they saw the photo, Lennon and Ono told Leibovitz, “You’ve captured our relationship exactly”.
Jack Mitchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
RKO Radio Staff Arrived At The Dakota
Around 12:40 pm, while Leibovitz was still at the couple’s apartment, three staffers from San Francisco’s RKO Radio arrived to interview Lennon. The focus of the interview was Double Fantasy but Lennon spoke about the 1960s, world peace, and feminism. The interview ended on an eerie note when Lennon remarked: “I consider that my work won't be finished until I'm dead and buried and I hope that's a long, long time”.
Roy Kerwood, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Chapman Fatefully Met Another Fan Outside
While Lennon and Ono were busy inside their apartment with Leibovitz and the crew from RKO Radio, Chapman had a couple of significant encounters outside. First, around noon, Chapman chatted briefly with Paul Goresh, who was also waiting for Lennon. Goresh was a fan and amateur photographer who had become friends with Lennon, often accompanying the former Beatle on walks.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Chapman Also Met Sean Lennon And His Nanny
While Lennon was recording his radio interview with RKO Radio, Sean Lennon—the five-year-old son of Lennon and Ono—returned to the Dakota with his nanny, Helen Seaman. As the two passed by him, Chapman reached out to shake the boy’s hand, quoting Lennon’s song, “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” to tell Sean that he was a beautiful boy.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Lennon And Ono Left The Dakota At 5:00 PM
Leibovitz left the Dakota at 3:30 pm. The RKO Radio staff stayed until 5:00 pm—and when they left, Lennon and Ono left as well. The musicians were on their way to the Record Plant, a recording studio where Lennon and Ono were going to mix Ono’s song, “Walking on Thin Ice”, which features Lennon on lead guitar.
Chapman Asked For Lennon’s Autograph
As the group left the Dakota, both Chapman and Goresh approached Lennon. Chapman held out his copy of Double Fantasy without saying anything. Lennon asked if Chapman wanted it autographed; the fan simply nodded.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Goresh Snapped An Shocking Photograph
As Lennon autographed the record jacket, Goresh snapped a photo. One of the last photos ever taken of Lennon shows the former Beatle looking down to sign the album as his killer looks on.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Lennon Was Kind To Chapman
After autographing the record, Lennon asked Chapman if he needed anything else. Chapman replied, “No. No sir”. Chapman later recalled: “Ironically, [he was] very kind and was very patient with me. The limousine was waiting ... and he took his time with me and he got the pen going and he signed my album”.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Lennon’s Last Musical Recording
When the limousine arrived for the RKO Radio team, they offered to share their ride with Lennon and Ono. The musicians proceeded to the Record Plant, where they stayed to work on “Walking on Thin Ice” until after 10:00 pm. The song features Lennon’s last musical recording.
Roy Kerwood, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Lennon Wanted To Say Goodnight To Sean
As the two musicians returned home by taxi, they debated going to eat first. They decided to stop briefly at their apartment because Lennon wanted to say goodnight to his son.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Lennon And Ono Arrived Back At The Dakota At 10:50 PM
At about 10:50 pm, their taxi pulled up at the 72nd Street entrance of the Dakota, instead of proceeding to the building’s more secure inner courtyard. Lennon’s killer was still there, lurking in the dark.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
The Musicians Saw Chapman
The musicians exited the taxi and walked past Chapman to enter their apartment building. As they passed, Chapman nodded at Ono. Lennon made brief eye contact with Chapman and seemed to recognize him from their earlier meeting.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Chapman Pulled Out His Revolver
Acting swiftly, Chapman pulled the revolver from his pocket and aimed at Lennon while calling out, “Mr Lennon”. From just nine to 10 feet away, Chapman fired five hollow-point bullets towards the musician’s back. One missed Lennon but two struck his shoulder and two hit him in the back.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Lennon Stumbled Into The Dakota
Lennon kept moving, staggering up the five steps into the front vestibule of the Dakota. He called out, “I’m shot! I’m shot”! As he collapsed in the lobby, he dropped the cassettes he had carried home from the recording session and they scattered around him.
Peter Fordham, Wikimedia Commons
The Dakota Doorman Confronted Chapman
Workers at the Dakota lept into action. The doorman—Jose Perdomo—approached Chapman and was able to shake the revolver out of his hand. Once it had fallen, Perdomo kicked it away. The doorman shouted at Chapman, asking him, “Do you know what you just did”? Chapman calmly answered Perdomo, saying, “I just shot John Lennon”.
Picture Players Productions, The Killing of John Lennon (2006)
The Dakota Concierge Attempted To Help Lennon
Jay Hastings, a concierge at the Dakota, attempted to assist Lennon by making a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. However, once he realized the extent of the musician’s wounds, he took off his uniform jacket to cover Lennon. Hastings also removed Lennon’s glasses. He then called the authorities.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
The First Officers Arrived Minutes Later
Within two minutes, Officers Steven Spiro and Peter Cullen arrived. They found Chapman calmly awaiting their arrival, reading his copy of The Catcher in the Rye. He had removed his coat and hat to show that he was not carrying any concealed weapons.
Peace Arch Entertainment, Chapter 27 (2007)
Chapman Was Easily Apprehended
Spiro and Cullen quickly handcuffed Chapman, read him his rights, and put him in the back of their squad car. Cullen later reported that Chapman apologized to the two officers for ruining their night.
Picture Players Productions, The Killing of John Lennon (2006)
Officers Speed Lennon To The Hospital
Officers Herb Frauenberger and Tony Palma arrived minutes after Spiro and Cullen. Officers James Moran and Bill Gamble arrived next. Recognizing the severity of Lennon’s wounds, Frauenberger put the musician into their squad car, not wanting to wait for an ambulance.
Francisco Productions, The Lennon Report (2016)
Ono Was Transported To The Hospital In A Squad Car
Moran and Gamble drove Lennon to Roosevelt Hospital on West 59th Street. Frauenberger and Palma followed, bringing Ono with them.
Francisco Productions, The Lennon Report (2016)
An Officer Carried Lennon Into The Hospital On His Back
Although the officers moved very quickly, getting Lennon to the hospital before 11:00 pm, the former Beatle lost consciousness during the drive. On arrival, Moran removed Lennon from the car and carried him in on his back, where Moran placed him on a gurney, calling for a doctor.
Francisco Productions, The Lennon Report (2016)
Medical Personnel Attempted To Revive Lennon
By the time medical personnel were able to work on Lennon, he was not breathing and had no pulse. Three doctors, a nurse, and a few other medical attendants worked on Lennon for 10 to 20 minutes, attempting to resuscitate him.
Francisco Productions, The Lennon Report (2016)
Surgery Was Attempted As A Last Resort
When their resuscitation methods failed, the medical team cut open Lennon’s chest to attempt a resuscitative thoracotomy. However, Lennon’s wounds, especially around his heart, were too extensive.
Francisco Productions, The Lennon Report (2016)
Lennon Was Pronounced Dead On Arrival
Lennon was pronounced dead at 11:15 pm on December 8, 1980.
Tony Barnard, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Yoko Ono Worried That Their Son Would Find Out From A TV Newsflash
Yoko Ono asked the hospital not to release news of her husband’s demise to the media until she had a chance to tell their son. She was worried that Sean was up late watching TV and would find out about the loss of his father via the media.
Joost Evers / Anefo, Wikimedia Commons
A TV News Producer Broke The News
Alan J Weiss, a news producer with WABC-TV, was waiting for emergency treatment at the hospital and learned about Lennon’s slaying from the officers who brought the musician in. Weiss broke the news to the media.
Francisco Productions, The Lennon Report (2016)
Goresh’s Photo Went Viral
When Goresh heard the news, he realized he likely had a photo of Lennon and Chapman together. Believing the image would be valuable, he tried calling the New York City authorities but they refused to take his call. In the end, Goresh released his photo to the New York Daily News, which used it in their front-page coverage of Lennon’s demise.
Ono’s Statement On Lennon’s Demise
The day after Lennon died, Ono released a statement saying: “There is no funeral for John. Later in the week we will set the time for a silent vigil to pray for his soul. We invite you to participate from wherever you are at the time. ...John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him. Love, Yoko and Sean”.
_entrance_by_David_Shankbone.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
