John Lennon Remembered 35 Years After His Death At Age 40

John Lennon, the former singer, songwriter and guitarist for British pop group The Beatles, died 35 years ago today.

John Lennon Remembered

Lennon, aged just 40 years old, was shot dead on Dec. 8, 1980 outside of The Dakota in New York City, where the musician lived with his wife, Yoko Ono. The gunman, Mark David Chapman, was an avid fan of Lennon’s who had him autograph a copy of his latest album, Double Fantasy, earlier that day.

After police arrived at the scene of the shooting, Lennon was transported to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead within 15 minutes. Ono, who had witnessed the shooting and was also taken to the hospital, was left devastated upon learning of his death.

Chapman, meanwhile, had been arrested at the scene of the shooting, and soon thereafter made a statement admitting the murder. The 25-year-old fan had made trips from his home in Hawaii to New York City to stalk Lennon and plot out the murder that he hoped would bring him infamy. He was sentenced to 20-years to life in prison, and currently remains behind bars.

Back in October, Lennon would have celebrated his 75th birthday. On Friday, the likes of Peter Framptom, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Aloe Blacc, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Morello and more turned out at Madison Square Garden for a Lennon tribute show, Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert. Surviving Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Star sent in videos. The special will air on AMC on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 9 p.m.

Killing John Lennon, a CNN Special Report will air tonight at 9 p.m.