For the Love of Lennon
Last Monday marked the 28th anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic death. The beloved singer and ex-Beatle was shot and killed on December 8th, 1980, as he entered his New York City apartment building, the Dakota at 72nd Street and Central Park West.
Every year, people gather at Central Park’s Strawberry Fields to remember Lennon and his message of peace. Impromptu meetings take place where fans light candles, place flowers on the famous “imagine” mosaic, and sing his songs as a reminder of how much his music meant to so many. This year, New Arts NYC, a non-profit group of artists and volunteers, organized a tribute concert on Sunday, December 7th to add to the commemoration.
The concert, dubbed “For the Love of Lennon,” was held in the park’s Naumburg Bandshell. Professional musicians played Lennon’s songs onstage for fans to enjoy and sing along to.
Central Park was one of Lennon and wife Yoko Ono’s favorite spots in New York City. Before his death, Lennon would take walks with his family through the park, which was right across the street from their apartment.
In 1981, according the Central Park’s website, the New York City council proposed that this area be officially designated to Lennon’s memory. Yoko Ono donated $1 million to the Central Park Conservancy to help in re-landscaping the area. The result was Strawberry Fields, named after the well-known Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever.” The groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 9th, 1985, what would have been Lennon’s 45th birthday. Comprising the West side of the park, from 71st to 74th street, the site is a landscaped garden centered around the “imagine” mosaic, which was donated to the park by the city of Naples, Italy.
Since its creation, Strawberry Fields has served as a sacred place for fans of Lennon who are inspired by the singer’s messages of love and peace. Year-round, people can be found around the mosaic, taking pictures or singing songs. Some are regulars—people who visit the area often and know each other well.
Harvey Newman runs a group on the website meetup.com called the Circle of Peace. The meetings take place every month at Strawberry Fields between members who are devoted to the idea of peace and non-violent resolution, which Newman feels is at the core of Lennon’s message and legacy.