The Day The Music Died

Thrirty years ago today, former Beatle John Lennon was shot outside his New York City apartment by an obsessed fan. At the time, Lennon had returned to music with the release of his and Yoko Ono's album "Double Fantasy."
Since then, his story has been rewritten many times by fans and family members.
John Winston Lennon was born in Liverpool during a German air raid in World War II. His first name came from his paternal grandfather (who else was he named after?). Young John didn't see much of his dad (what did he do?), and his parents eventually split.

The Quarrymen
July 6, 1957
Lennon and Paul McCartney reportedly were impressed enough with each other on the day they met (what was Lennon doing?) that McCartney joined Lennon's skiffle band (what's that?). Several months later, McCartney brought in another member.

Julia Lennon
July 15, 1958
Lennon's mother, Julia Lennon, was struck and killed by a car while walking home from a relative's house. (Who was the driver?) By then, Lennon was in art school, where he was regarded as a disruptive influence. (Why?)

The Beatles
February 1961
The Beatles made their debut at Liverpool's Cavern Club. (What American group inspired their name change?) The group had been polishing their act in Germany. (Who was their drummer?)

Brian Epstein
November 1961
When the Beatles' soon-to-be manager heard them play, he said he was immediately struck by their music, beat and sense of humor. What else struck him? The band had been turned down a lot before they secured a recording contract. Who let Pete Best go?

Cynthia Powell
Aug. 23, 1962
When Lennon found out his fellow art college student (photos) was pregnant, they got married, but it was kept secret. (Why?) Their son was born April 8, 1963. Who was he named after?

Beatles & 'Ed Sullivan'
Feb. 9, 1964
When the Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," they set off Beatlemania in earnest. They also constituted the first phase of what became known as the British Invasion (who else did that include?)

Beatles' popularity
Aug. 15, 1965
The Beatles seemed everywhere, including playing to a record crowd in New York's Shea Stadium (video). They filmed "Help" (clips), they met the King of rock 'n' roll, and the queen of England singled them out for an honor.

Lennon & God
March 1966
Lennon compared the Beatles to Jesus (where was he quoted?), and the Bible Belt responded. The group gave their last concert. (Where?)

Yoko Ono
Nov. 9, 1966
Lennon, who was still married to Cynthia, reportedly met Yoko Ono at a preview of her art show in London. (There are other versions of their meeting.) The event proved life-changing for both of them.

Sgt. Pepper
June 1967
With "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," the Beatles continued to experiment with different musical elements. The result was a psychedelic rock album that some critics regard as one of rock's greatest.


Brian Epstein's death
Aug. 27, 1967
To band members' surprise, their manager, Brian Epstein, died. (What was the cause?) They tried to regroup, meditating with a maharishi, an experience Lennon wrote a song about (lyrics).

The Apple Corps
January 1968

The band formed the Apple Corps. (Why?) It reportedly had management problems. Still, their underwater movie was a box office hit (clips).

Lennon & Ono
May 1968
Lennon and Ono reportedly recorded all night and had an affair. How did Cynthia find out? Lennon and Ono became a high-profile couple --- with their arrest, their racy album cover and their wedding pictures.

Beatles' breakup
September 1969
After the group finished recording its final album, Lennon left. But he agreed to keep his departure secret. (Why?) McCartney broke the news as he announced his first solo album.

Anti-war efforts
Lennon and Ono released "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," and the Nixon administration was not amused. How did it respond? When did he get his green card?

The 'lost weekend'
1973
Lennon and Ono split up for 18 months, and he moved to L.A. with their assistant, May Pang. (Who reportedly arranged that?) During this time, Lennon had the only solo No. 1 hit of his lifetime. The couple reunited.
Oct. 9, 1975
Lennon's second son, Sean, was born to Ono. (Were there other pregnancies?) Lennon became a househusband, taking a five-year hiatus from the music industry.
November 1980
He and Ono released the "Double Fantasy" album. Lennon reportedly wrote the songs during a life-threatening journey to Bermuda. How was the album received?
Dec. 8, 1980
Mark David Chapman killed Lennon as he and Ono entered their New York apartment building. (Why?) Lennon had earlier autographed an album for Chapman.
The Beatles revolutionized pop music, with the songwriting team of Lennon and McCartney in the forefront. Many bands that followed acknowledge their influence. Lennon, in particular, is admired for his willingness to take risks with his life and his music.

HERE'S A SONG DEDICATED TO OUR  FRIEND JOHN LENNON