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GreatGazoo

(4,378 posts)

15. Strawberry Fields became the place to gather whenever legends fell

Mon Dec 8, 2025, 08:19 AM

Monday

like Jerry Garcia in 1995. Amid the crowd a guy laid out a large case full of taped shows and insisted that others take one.

I went when George Harrison's death was announced in November of 2001. Life magazine was interviewing people and I had time to think before they got to me. None of us there really knew Harrison, just as we had not known Lennon. Their legend eclipsed their personhood. I said something like 'George was a piece of our childhood. The Beatles filled our young hearts with wild optimism that things would get better because we were all going to love each other until they did. I mourn not only the death of George Harrison but the death of a beautiful dream.'

I felt the same way, even more so, about the murder of Lennon which came just weeks before the inauguration of Reagan. He was a complex person, flawed and talented. Smart and sardonic. He became an icon because of all that we projected onto him. Our silly dreams about love and ending war forever. We were young, stoned and a bit naive but normal boring cynical people don't change the world, only those who imagine.

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John Lennon was murdered 45 years ago today [View all] Chasstev365 Monday OP

After I heard an interview with his son Julian... TBA Monday #1

I can truly understand that. Chasstev365 Monday #3

Certainly true. TBA Monday #21

The peace and love stuff came mostly from Yoko whose home country had gone warlike and got nuked for it Blues Heron Monday #16

A lot of famous people have been shitty parents. Or shitty spouses. raccoon Monday #35

So unlike John's father. H2O Man Monday #37

Lost my wife on this day 2 years ago at140 Monday #2

I'm so sorry Chasstev365 Monday #4

So sorry to hear. Celerity Monday #5

I'm sorry.. mountain grammy Monday #27

I'm so sorry for your loss. yardwork Monday #36

So sorry. Terrible scourge of an illness! electric_blue68 Monday #40

That must have been a cruel blow DFW Tuesday #46

I was 12 years old. johnnyfins Monday #6

Thanks for sharing; I was 15. Chasstev365 Monday #9

It still hurts. Botany Monday #7

I was studying for my tax law final exam.... lastlib Monday #8

I was walking across Midtown Manhattan, and stopped to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree Walleye Monday #10

Oh, that's such a Sad Association! electric_blue68 Monday #42

I delivered the Detroit News as a teen... Half-step Monday #11

I went to bed right before the news broke dflprincess Monday #22

That's how I found out. Went out to get the paper the next morning underpants Monday #28

Woah! electric_blue68 Monday #41

I was interning for Leonard Bernstein PJMcK Monday #12

Interesting! Loved Leonard Bernstein! Went to his ❤️ Young People's Concerts. electric_blue68 Monday #43

Then you must have met John Mauceri, right? DFW Tuesday #47

John was a friendly colleague for a bit PJMcK Tuesday #49

John is a friend, and I see him every January DFW Tuesday #50

I can sharply remember the instant I learned of his death Siwsan Monday #13

I will neverforget that day malaise Monday #14

Strawberry Fields became the place to gather whenever legends fell GreatGazoo Monday #15

Yeah,I went to Strawberry Field's after Harrison died. electric_blue68 Monday #44

For sure the beginning of the shit show called Reagan. The so-called "War on Drugs" walkingman Monday #17

45 years! Beatlelvr Monday #18

I was watching this game. I'll never forget the moment. Auggie Monday #19

John Clouds Passing Monday #20

Mark David Chapman, Lennon's killer, was again denied bail earlier this year. Gimpyknee Monday #23

He's safer where he's at MustLoveBeagles Monday #29

Queen - Life Is Real (song for Lennon) DinahMoeHum Monday #24

ER Doctor who tried to save John Lennon: milestogo Monday #25

I remember exactly where I was... IthinkThereforeIAM Monday #26

I will always mourn the death of this inspirational artist. John struggled with the demons of a difficult childhood, and Martin68 Monday #30

When it was announced on TV I remember mom screaming as she ran out of the room MustLoveBeagles Monday #31

George, Paul, and Ringo: All Those Years Ago 1981 Chasstev365 Monday #32

Chasstev365......... Upthevibe Monday #33

I was a 21-year-old exchange student in Scotland that year. Orange Buffoon Monday #34

This is a very meaningful day today Mossfern Monday #38

An empty garden ..... H2O Man Monday #39

NYC'r here. Was listening to one of the 2 big Rock stations, and one of my favorite DJs... electric_blue68 Monday #45

I read somewhere that there is only one entrance into the Dakota Omnipresent Tuesday #51

As fas as I know there was only one entrance, Unless a very small service entrance elsewhere electric_blue68 Tuesday #52

I was in a house outside Boston with a friend from England. DFW Tuesday #48