“JOHN LENNON was shot to death by a fan who had idolised him for years. When the 25-year-old killer, Mark David Chapman, gunned down Lennon he was carrying 14 Beatle tape recordings in a satchel. Chapman, a dishevelled out-of-work security guard, told friends that he intended to meet Lennon.”
” A stunned generation of Beatles fans was in mourning for their murdered idol John Lennon last night.”
“John loved and prayed for the human race. Please do the same for him. Yoko Ono”
“A shoked Paul McCartney said last night: John was a great man. His death is a bittel, cruel blow – I really loved the guy. He was one of the best.
He added: He will be sadly missed by the whole world. John will be remembered for this contribution to art, music and world peace. I can’t tell you howmuch it hurts to lose him.”
“I owe everything to John. He commited himself 100 per cent to the music business.
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones was shattered.
He was given the news in Paris, where he is recording a new album, and said: I knew and liked John Lennon for 18 years. But I don’t want to make a casual remark now at such a awfulmoment for his family, millions of fans and friends.”
Text and photos from THE SUN, December 10, 1980