John W. Lennon, 40, of Manhattan , NY , died Monday, December 8, 1980 after being fatally shot in front of his apartment building. No funeral was held, but a major memorial took place on December 14 as thousands gathered in Central Park for ten minutes of silent prayer.
John was born on October 9, 1940 to Alfred and Julia Lennon, but later raised by Julia’s sister, Mimi and her husband George. He grew up in Liverpool , England and had always hated school, but had a passion for music. Once he convinced Mimi to buy him his first guitar, he had started his own band with Paul McCartney called the Quarrymen, after his school. The two of them later formed the band, The Beatles.
The Beatles were constructed of multiple miscellaneous band mates, but was mostly known of John, Paul, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. This group became very popular, even to the point of no longer touring because of the screaming fans. In all, the group had 22 albums, 20 #1's in the U.S., and 17 #1's in the U.K.
After many years with The Beatles, John decided to settle down with his wife and raise a son.
John is survived by his wife, Yoko Ono, and two sons, Julian and Sean.

He was preceded in death by his mother Julia and uncle George.