Celebrations take place for John Lennon’s 80th birthday

Celebrations have taken place around the world on what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday.

The Beatles’ official YouTube channel posted a video montage of photos and footage of Lennon and the band, to their 1965 song ‘In My Life’.

In the UK, LENNON80 – a week-long TV channel – launched. It will be available on Sky 371 & Virgin 346 nationally, plus Freeview 83 in many parts of the UK. The channel promises to feature exclusive content and rarities, including Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1971 classic Parkinson appearance – believed to be lost but now restored.

I love this picture, it reminds me of the bond between us. Happy 80th John. Love Paul#JohnLennon #LENNON80 pic.twitter.com/ePrHqvZxVB

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) October 9, 2020

‘It’s Johnny’s Birthday’. Remembering @johnlennon on his 80th Birthday.

Click here – https://t.co/FJUaSsNR5k – to listen to the ‘It’s Johnny’s Birthday’ George & John Spotify Playlist.

Animation by Spencer Ramsey. pic.twitter.com/yZKMxy5088

— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) October 9, 2020

Let’s celebrate John‘s 80th birthday with come together Friday, 9 October I still miss you man peace and love to Yoko Sean and Julian. ?????????????? pic.twitter.com/CeMqel3BMB

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) October 8, 2020

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— Julian Lennon (@JulianLennon) October 10, 2020

The Empire State Building in New York City was lit sky blue with a rotating peace sign in the mast, in Lennon’s honour. The building was lit from sunset on 8 October until 2am on the 9th.

They say it’s your birthday… ?

Honoring musical legend & @thebeatles member @johnlennon’s 80th birthday w/@umg, @UME & @seanonolennon by shining sky blue w/a peace sign in our mast tonight.

Our lights also celebrate the #GimmeSomeTruth Album Release! #ESBright #Lennon80 pic.twitter.com/nCMYmZU9vX

— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) October 8, 2020

Today also sees the release of Gimme Some Truth, a compilation of remixed solo songs by Lennon. It is available on five physical formats, plus digital download and on streaming services. Each of the formats contain newly-remixed audio, and are collectively known as the Ultimate Collection series.

Among those paying tribute to Lennon were his former bandmates Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Pete Best, and George Harrison’s first wife Pattie Boyd.

The John Lennon I knew was respectful, gentle and kind. He was always gracious to me and I have treasured memories of us all being together during Beatlemania and beyond. Thinking of him today. This is my favourite picture of him. pic.twitter.com/8TQvGg1RT9

— Pattie Boyd (@thepattieboyd) October 9, 2020

Who’d have imagined when we were young men these numbers would come around so very fast. Happy heavenly 80th John. I’ll have a scotch and coke later for the times we shared. #casbahcoffeeclub #liverpoolbeatlesmuseum pic.twitter.com/JsFKSJ88E1

— Pete Best (@BeatlesPeteBest) October 9, 2020

9 October is also Sean Lennon’s birthday. John Lennon’s second son was born in 1975.

Happy Birthday John!
Happy Birthday Sean!
Yes, you are my angels. I love you!
yokohttps://t.co/AU1ZFRTjOf pic.twitter.com/uvIa3lu2hx

— Yoko Ono ???? (@yokoono) October 9, 2020

‘Dear John’, the 2nd annual John Lennon tribute concert in aid of War Child UK, will take place online from the Hard Rock Hotel in London. The concert stream will be live on YouTube at 8pm BST.

The city of Liverpool, Lennon’s birthplace, announced the launch of a worldwide annual contest to find another great songwriter. The Liverpool International Song For Kindness Contest hopes to find an anthem to follow the example of Lennon’s ‘Imagine’.

At 9pm local time the Imagine Peace Tower will be lit on Viðey Island in Kollafjörður Bay near Reykjavík, Iceland. It will remain lit until dawn on the 10th.

On October 9th 2020, IMAGINE PEACE TOWER will be relit in Reykjavík, Iceland, in memory of my late husband John Lennon, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

I hope you will join us in celebrating the relighting of IMAGINE PEACE TOWER in Iceland, on this website and around the world. Remember, each one of us has the power to change the world.

Power works in mysterious ways. We don’t have to do much. Visualize the domino effect and just start thinking PEACE. Thoughts are infectious. Send it out. The message will circulate faster than you think.

It’s Time for Action.
The Action is PEACE
Think PEACE, Act PEACE, Spread PEACE?
PEACE is POWER!

Thank you, thank you, thank you
I love you!

love,

Yoko Ono Lennon
1 September 2020

John Lennon would have been 80 today. A rock and roller from head to toe, he was a natural artist and communicator whose unflinching personality, unbridled bravery, razor-edge honesty, great humour, pioneering songs, music and human voice still shines on. Go Johnny go! #LENNON80 pic.twitter.com/FVjuJvGAUo

— Mark Lewisohn (@marklewisohn) October 9, 2020