December 8, 2000 12:46

JOHN LENNON 1940 -1980

Our retrospective microsite brings you archive news coverage from the English press on the day a legend was tragically murdered...

Today, December 8, is the 20th anniversary of the murder of JOHN LENNON.

The most individual of all the Beatles, Lennon was gunned down by crazed fan Mark Chapman in the doorway of the Dakota Building, his New York home, at 10.50pm. Hit five times, Lennon died almost immediately. His final words were "I've been shot, I've been shot."

Lennon had earlier signed an autograph for Chapman, who had travelled from his Hawaii home to murder the former Beatle.

The killing shook the world. Radio stations played non-stop Beatles and Lennon songs, newspapers and television bulletins carried blanket coverage and tributes were paid by Presidents, fellow stars and millions of fans.

Today, NME.COM unveils a unique retrospective microsite dedicated to the star, containing archive news coverage of what the English press of the day had to say about the death of a legend - Click here...