Fans Pay Tribute to John Lennon in Strawberry Fields Today

Today marks the 29th anniversary of the day that former Beatle John Lennon was murdered outside his New York City apartment. Fans are expected to gather all day in Central Park’s Strawberry Fields to remember Lennon and his music. Hundreds of people generally sing songs and leave offerings.
Strawberry Fields was, of course, named after the famous Beatles’ song "Strawberry Fields Forever,” and has become a Mecca for tourists and anyone wanting to pay tribute to Lennon. The 2.5 acres of park land was inaugurated on what would have been Lennon’s 45th birthday—October 8, 1985. The entrance is directly across from the Dakota, his apartment building on Central Park West.
Lennon was killed by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, outside the building. Other tributes around the country today include one in LA at Lennon’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
And speaking of Strawberry Fields, a tribute of the same name is taking place throughout this month at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill (237 West 42nd Street) in New York City. “Strawberry Fields: A Tribute to the Beatles" occurs at various dates throughout the month. (Call 212-997-4144 for more information.) The tribute bills itself as a “look alike, sound alike” event, complete with music from the group’s first four albums, starting in 1964, and going through the “White Album,” “Abbey Road," and “Let it Be” years. Appropriate costumes and mop-top hair included.

Tribute to John Lennon's New York City Years Features Rare Artifacts, Bloody Clothing From Death

A new exhibit created by Yoko Ono on John Lennon’s life in New York City is currently on display at the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame Annex in Soho. The exhibit is named “John Lennon: The New York City Years” and features rare and never-before-seen artifacts, films and photos capturing a time when Lennon was politically and socially active and he put out some of his best work.
New York City was Lennon’s adopted home from when he left England and moved stateside in 1971 until his death in 1980. Some highlights on display include the original handwritten lyrics of 10 songs like “Luck of the Irish,” “Nobody Told Me,” and “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,” as well as the New York City T-shirt Lennon wears with the skyline behind him in a famous photograph by photographer Bob Gruen. Another item is Lennon’s green card that expired in 1972, leading the Nixon administration to seek his deportation, but he remained in the U.S. thanks to the support of many like John Lindsay, who was the mayor of New York City Mayor from 1966 to 1973. Most controversially featured are the bloody clothes Lennon wore on the evening he was murdered.
A portion of the ticket cost is donated to Spirit Foundations, a charitable foundation created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Extended exhibit hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 10:00pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to midnight with last admission one hour prior to closing. For tickets call 866-9-ROCKNY or 866-976-2569, go to www.rockannex.com, or visit the box office located at 76 Mercer Street.