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"Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

G-Fafif Dec 08 2010 05:22 AM

Thirty years since the December 8, 1980 assassination of John Lennon. My older sister said exactly what I was thinking when she broke the news to me the next morning: "Now they'll never get back together."

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 08 2010 05:55 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I was half-asleep that morning and vaguely aware my clock radio was playing only Beatles songs when my sister came in hysterical "Some psycho shot John!" I knew who she meant.

Fman99 Dec 08 2010 06:03 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I remember hearing the news on my parents tinny AM radio that morning, I was just a little tyke. I knew him from the Beatles cartoons.

G-Fafif Dec 08 2010 06:07 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

In the Times, Yoko recalls an episode from their final year together, enjoying tea, cats, laughter and each other.

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 06:24 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I remember hearing that John was shot on the late news before I went to bed that evening. When I woke up, Imagine was on the radio alarm clock, and Imus gave me the news that he was gone.

RealityChuck Dec 08 2010 07:47 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

My clock radio went on in the morning, and the DJ kept talking about some terrible loss -- people talking about how shocked they were, etc. It was about five minutes before they mentioned what it was all about; we were wondering if the President had been assassinated.

metirish Dec 08 2010 07:57 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

This is the problem that Pearl Harbor has to deal with in terms of being a big remembrance thing. Kidding HBO or Sundance or maybe it's 13 have been showing a pretty great documentary for weeks now.

TransMonk Dec 08 2010 08:00 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I was in kindergarden and don't remember a thing about it. RIP John. It's better to burn out than to fade away.

Willets Point Dec 08 2010 08:07 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

metirish wrote: This is the problem that Pearl Harbor has to deal with in terms of being a big remembrance thing.

sharpie Dec 08 2010 08:21 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Three stories: I was working in Los Angeles and had to pick some guy up at the airport. On the car radio where the pre-punched stations were all from San Francisco I picked up a report that the Giants had traded Bob Knepper to the Astros for Enos Cabell. While thinking about whether that trade was good for the Giants or the Astros (answer, Astros) I heard a report that Lennon had been shot. I tried to tune into that SF station to no avail until I realized that of course this news will be on all radio stations. I got to LAX and waited for the guy I was supposed to pick up who ended up missing his flight. Meanwhile, a friend of mine was working for a literary agent in New York. He was having dinner 2 blocks from the Dakota when it happened and went over there with his friend. Pictures of her crying were in papers throughout the world the next day. The agent represented Peter Brown who had a major role with Apple Records and had written a book called "The Love You Take" about the band. At work the next day my friend picked up the phone and it was Paul McCartney wanting to know how he could get in touch with Peter Brown who was then in New York. My friend gave him Brown's contact info and he said he thought "I really should say something" but ended up not. Ten years ago today my father died in a hospital in Philadelphia. My brother called me at work to tell me. I left work, went home (my wife had the day off), took my kids out of school and went to Philadelphia. The radio stations that day were playing all John Lennon music and I have to say hearing music that has always meant so much to me for that hellish drive to Philly (traffic, hard to find hospital, etc) helped me through that day. Plus being able to connect John to my dad (who had no interest in pop music) makes me smile. "Instant Karma!" came onto my ipod this morning on the way to work. That also made me happy. We all shine on.

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 08:25 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

sharpie - my condolences on your loss, but I'm glad that the timing of your dad's death has been of some comfort to you.

metsmarathon Dec 08 2010 08:33 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

i was three. my mom wasn't big into popular music, so i don't really know if it would've made much news in our house. regardless, it would not have resonated. the first big news story i remember was mt. st. helens. oe, which happened earlier in 1980. hmm. interesting. is it possible i remember only later coverage on pbs? is it possible my entire childhood is one big mismemory?

Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2010 08:42 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

The first big news story I remember is the moon landing. When Lennon was killed I was a senior in high school. I certainly knew who John Lennon was, and was shocked by the news, but it didn't hit me emotionally the way it did some of my friends and classmates. I remember one guy in my Drivers' Ed class who was really angry about it as we were driving around.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 08 2010 09:01 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

sharpie wrote: Three stories: I was working in Los Angeles and had to pick some guy up at the airport. On the car radio where the pre-punched stations were all from San Francisco I picked up a report that the Giants had traded Bob Knepper to the Astros for Enos Cabell. While thinking about whether that trade was good for the Giants or the Astros (answer, Astros) I heard a report that Lennon had been shot. I tried to tune into that SF station to no avail until I realized that of course this news will be on all radio stations. I got to LAX and waited for the guy I was supposed to pick up who ended up missing his flight. Meanwhile, a friend of mine was working for a literary agent in New York. He was having dinner 2 blocks from the Dakota when it happened and went over there with his friend. Pictures of her crying were in papers throughout the world the next day. The agent represented Peter Brown who had a major role with Apple Records and had written a book called "The Love You Take" about the band. At work the next day my friend picked up the phone and it was Paul McCartney wanting to know how he could get in touch with Peter Brown who was then in New York. My friend gave him Brown's contact info and he said he thought "I really should say something" but ended up not. Ten years ago today my father died in a hospital in Philadelphia. My brother called me at work to tell me. I left work, went home (my wife had the day off), took my kids out of school and went to Philadelphia. The radio stations that day were playing all John Lennon music and I have to say hearing music that has always meant so much to me for that hellish drive to Philly (traffic, hard to find hospital, etc) helped me through that day. Plus being able to connect John to my dad (who had no interest in pop music) makes me smile. "Instant Karma!" came onto my ipod this morning on the way to work. That also made me happy. We all shine on. Wow, great post. I wonder if Bob Knepper associates his trade to Houston with Lennon as well. I would imagine he does.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 08 2010 10:22 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I was two-and-a-half, and Mom was FAR more "Come On-A My House" than "Come Together." I do remember my aunt-- mom's younger sister, and a big fan-- who lived with us at the time crying about it on the first or second anniversary while sitting for me, and walking me by what I later realized was Strawberry Fields that afternoon. Some bearded guy there who smelled like musty incense was playing "Give Peace a Chance" over and over again. I remember thinking he was weird.

Ashie62 Dec 08 2010 10:22 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I was watching MNF and heard it from Howard Cosell. WNEW FM 102.7 and Vin Scelsa got me through the next day.

Frayed Knot Dec 08 2010 10:24 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Most people of a certain age will claim to have heard the news through Monday Night Football. It was the most watched show at a time when 'The Big Three' still dominated the airwaves and, Cosell's ego-driven histrionics about him "being the right person to tell America" about Lennon's death aside, it probably was the main source in those pre-24 hour news cycle days. I, on the other hand, was in the midst of watching what I remembered as a very funny Johnny Carson monologue when they interrupted my LOL-ing at that show with the news. Talk about a buzz kill.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2010 10:34 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I understand a juvenile reacting to the news regarding its' impact on a potential reunion --- I probably had some of that that myself -- but I never liked adult writers leading every story about the life, health, legal status, and death of Beatles leading with its impact on reunions. It seems callously detached from the cold reality.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2010 11:05 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I'm pretty sure I found out the following morning. I think my sister or my mother told me as I was getting ready for school.

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 11:20 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

ESPN was on at the gym this morning, and they were showing Cosell's coverage. It gave me goosebumps.

G-Fafif Dec 08 2010 03:00 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Most people of a certain age will claim to have heard the news through Monday Night Football. I was a "Lou Grant" fan myself Monday nights at 10, but fell asleep shortly after it started (a rarity, given my nocturnal ways). I was two-and-a-half, and Mom was FAR more "Come On-A My House" than "Come Together." Sounds like my dad, who got upset whenever the kitchen radio dial was nudged off WNEW-AM 1130 ("the sound that swings"). I was surprised at how seriously he took the news about Lennon. I was a little surprised, to be honest, at what a huge deal it was in general, transcending the death of a "rock star". The thousands camping out at the Dakota seemed unprecedented, though I suppose something similar happened three years earlier with Elvis and the flocking to Graceland. Factoring in the violence and the professional comeback, and it all makes sense (as a reaction to a senseless act). I understand a juvenile reacting to the news regarding its' impact on a potential reunion I was 17 and my sister was 23. Neither one of us was what you'd call a huge Beatles fan -- my sister wasn't really into music even. But I guess we held out hope on some unspoken level that they'd get back together, if just once, if just to experience it anew (for me) or again (for her).

themetfairy Dec 08 2010 03:06 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Lorne Michaels Tried you divide it up any way you want. If you want to give less to Ringo, that's up to you

Vic Sage Dec 08 2010 03:08 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I was a college junior, and we were watching football in somebody's dorm room. So we all heard it from Cosell. We stayed up all night, gradually becoming drunkenly morose as we listened to the non-stop Beatles songs playing on every rock station. as dawn approached, we were determined to take the train into the city to join those who were holding a candlelight vigil in front of the Dakota. But we were too drunk to make it to the station. I still regret missing the opportunity to share that moment with fellow Lennonists. And i'm listening to WORKING CLASS HERO as i type these words.

Ashie62 Dec 08 2010 05:06 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Vic Sage wrote: I was a college junior, and we were watching football in somebody's dorm room. So we all heard it from Cosell. We stayed up all night, gradually becoming drunkenly morose as we listened to the non-stop Beatles songs playing on every rock station. as dawn approached, we were determined to take the train into the city to join those who were holding a candlelight vigil in front of the Dakota. But we were too drunk to make it to the station. I still regret missing the opportunity to share that moment with fellow Lennonists. And i'm listening to WORKING CLASS HERO as i type these words. Same, Junior in a college dorm room watching football . Just went back to my dorm in shock.

TheOldMole Dec 08 2010 06:43 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I figured if the guy was doing to make a name for himself, he would not get it from me. From that day to this I have never mentioned his name, and will not read any article or watch any TV news show that mentions him.

Nymr83 Dec 08 2010 10:29 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I wasnt alive back then and i JUST DONT GET IT! I know where i was all day on september 11th 2001, and i understand older people having the same rememberance of pearl harbor, jfk, the moon landing, and the challenger disaster, but whats the big deal about an entertainer being shot? does everyone remember where they were they day they heard that steve mcnair was dead?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 08 2010 10:51 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Not a big music fan, I'm guessing. Still, that's a pretty terrible analogue.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2010 04:24 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

I just found out right now that Steve McNair is dead. (I have no idea who he is. I imagine he's somewhere below John Lennon on the celebrity scale.)

HahnSolo Dec 09 2010 07:01 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

Confession: never the biggest Beatles fan, so this anniversary really doesn't mean as much to me as others. I was 13 when he was killed. My morning job was to walk to the candy store before school and get the newspapers (the News and Post, of course) for my mom. I still recall the headlines from both papers: JOHN LENNON SHOT DEAD and JOHN LENNON SLAIN HERE.

Edgy DC Dec 09 2010 07:20 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

You could probably get a hit eight-and-a-half-minute folk song out of that.

MFS62 Dec 09 2010 07:51 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

TheOldMole wrote: I figured if the guy was doing to make a name for himself, he would not get it from me. From that day to this I have never mentioned his name, and will not read any article or watch any TV news show that mentions him. I feel the same way about the infielder the Mets obtained in the Nolan Ryan trade. Back to Lennon, remember Screw magazine? I remember one issude that had a picture of John and Yoko, both naked, standing up in a bathtub. After that issue, the quality of the magazine went downhill. Later

seawolf17 Dec 09 2010 09:16 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

[yesterday's SNL thread] JOHN LENNON'S DEAD?!?! [/yesterday's SNL thread] themetfairy wrote: Lorne Michaels Tried you divide it up any way you want. If you want to give less to Ringo, that's up to you That's a great clip. I don't remember Lennon at all, but my wife, whose birthday is today, very clearly remembers it because she woke up on the morning of her birthday giddy with excitement only to find her dad all mopey and depressed.

TheOldMole Dec 09 2010 10:22 AM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

The NY Times, when they ran ads for movies that included blurbs from reviews in Screw, called it "Al Goldstein's Magazine."

G-Fafif Dec 09 2010 12:19 PM Re: "Now They'll Never Get Back Together"

An inevitable Met connection, made here.