John Lennon 80th birthday celebrated, 40 years after his death
NEW YORK -- Music fans in New York City and around the world are marking what would have been John Lennon's 80th birthday.
Lennon was born October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England.
He grew up to be one of the most recognizable faces, and voices, in music as part of the pioneering rock and roll band the Beatles.
Lennon then went on to have a highly influential solo career.
He was killed nearly 40 years ago, but his music and his message as a peace activist continue to entertain and inspire the masses.
On Thursday night, the Empire State Building shown sky blue lights with a peace sign on its mast to honor Lennon.
Lennon's one time Beatles bandmate, Paul McCartney, shared an image and a heartfelt message on Twitter.
In August, The man who gunned Lennon down outside his Manhattan apartment in 1980 was denied parole for the 11th time.
MORE: John Lennon's killer to remain in prison after parole denied again
On Dec. 8, 1980, Lennon was shot by Mark David Chapman in the archway of the Dakota on the Upper West Side, where Lennon lived with his wife, Yoko Ono, and his son, Sean.
The shocking act of violence was felt around the world. There was an outpouring of grief as fans held solemn vigils.
The news was broken to America by Howard Cosell on ABC's "Monday Night Football," and the above video shows you how Channel 7's Rose Ann Scamardella delivered the news after the game's end, and how WABC-TV covered the story in the days of mourning that lay ahead.
Fans quickly gathered outside the Dakota apartments to mourn the loss of the iconic musician, and stayed for days.
His grieving fans spoke out against the senseless act of violence that overwhelmed not only New York City -- but also the world.
"I think he was a very peaceful man, he was really killed in a senseless and violent way, and it was a waste, it was really a waste," one fan told WABC-TV on the first anniversary of Lennon's death.
Despite the sadness of losing Lennon too soon, his fans and loved ones were determined to help his dreams and songs live on.
Almost five years after he was killed, Strawberry Fields was officially dedicated on what would have been Lennon's 45th birthday.
It was Ono's dream to transform part of Central Park and make it a living tribute in honor of her late husband. She donated $1,000,000 to the project and said Strawberry Fields is a gift of life.
More than 120 countries from around the world donated trees and plants as offerings of peace.
"This garden is a result of all of us dreaming together, it is our way of taking a sad song and making it better," Ono said in 1985..
Central Park officials said they believe Lennon's vision of a world living in harmony was translated faithfully into a garden of peace.
Chapman is serving 20-years-to-life in the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York.
