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John Lennon celebration walking tour, London

08th December 2005

It is twenty-five years since the senseless murder of John Lennon and it seems that the whole world has gone Lennon mad. Not that this is a bad thing -- it just seems a little sad that we are doing more to remember him on the anniversary of his death rather than the anniversary of his birth.

I was woken this morning the usual way -- my radio alarm kicking in at 6.30, tuned in to BBC 6Music, who today had a full Lennon Remembered day of programming dedicated to John's life and music. Before long Oh my love came on, chosen as a favourite by someone or other, and gaining consciousness I figured it'd be time to get ready. Getting dressed, I put the new Working Class Hero compilation on and... promptly broke down in tears. I was not prepared for that sort of reaction at all. And so, feeling rather shaky, I headed on up into London to take part in various events to celebrate John's life, not mourn his death.

First stop was the London Beatles Store to pick up a few copies of the magnificent Lennon Tribute Magazine published by The British Beatles Fan Club in association with Framework Publishing. Then on to the Virgin Megastore where, in association with the BBFC, a display of Lennon memorabilia was on show -- including a signed 1964 copy of John's book In His Own Write and unpublished photographs. The press were there from CNN and interviewed Richard, with whom I met up in the store. The lady asked to interview me too ("are you a Beatles fan or a John fan? Why do you like him? What's your favourite John Lennon song?") but I was feeling camera-shy and we were in a hurry to get off to the next event, so I had to decline. Later in the morning the store held the first ever one minute silence to honour Lennon's contribution to music. Never before has Virgin Megastores stopped trading for an artist -- it was an unprecedented salute to a musical icon.

Richard's tour was a special version of his perennially wonderful London Beatles Walks. We started off outside the Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, and headed on to the MPL offices at Soho Square, the London Palladium (where the Beatles played on the Royal Variety Performance in 1963 -- where Beatlemania is said to have begun) and the office where Lennon gave the famous interview with journalist Maureen Cleeve when he stated The Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ. Also visited was the art gallery where John met Yoko for the first time. The tour ended at Abbey Road Studios, where most of the Beatles' songs were recorded. Later this evening BBC Radio Two will be broadcasting a special tribute, Lennon Live, from the Studios. There were more press waiting for as at Abbey Road and Richard gave another round of interviews. It was slightly surprising to find very few tributes written on the wall, but the few that were there -- pictures and flowers -- were lovely and very moving to see. We ended the walk with a one minute's round of a applause to celebrate the life of a wonderful man. Far more fitting than a silence.

It would have been great to be able to visit Liverpool at some point this week, but owing to other commitments that was impossible for me and this was a fab way to spend the day, remembering John with other fans. At the end of the day, sitting with coffee and friends outside the Abbey Road Cafe, Mike (who'd been filming the walk) offered to take Vicki and I to see Paul McCartney's house as we'd never been before. A security guy parked outside stopped us taking photos but it was still rather exciting to be there at all.

A super day. Thank you, John. We miss you.

[Indica]
The former Indica Gallery, where John met Yoko
[Richard]
Richard being interviewed for telly in front of Abbey Road studios

Photos © urban-spaceman.org