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I was 13 when John Lennon was shot, Im now a 56 year old woman and I can't believe that its 43 years since he was killed. It makes me realise how young he was when his life was taken, but boy, what a lot of life he packed in to his short life and what a legacy he left. RIP Mr Lennon x

I lived on W. 75 Street off Central Park in the 70’s. I saw John & Yoko a few times walking hand in hand on Central Park West. I was in awe since I was a huge Beatle fan then & now.

Losing John was like losing a piece of my youth...as a teenager I grew up with The Beatles, their music got me threw some hard growing up times. I miss you John and George too.❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏✌️✌️

I read somewhere that when he’d jump in a cab the driver would ask “are you John Lennon” Lennon would laugh and answer “wish I had his money”.What a brilliant songwriter and singer.

I was born on John & Sean's Birthdays (10/9) and have always admired him, and simply adore Yoko...!! This wonderful video has me in tears, it so incredible to see & know how John & Yoko lived... I still vividly remember that night when the news came on the TV.. so sad.

In the late 1970's in NYC I would see Yoko and John Lennon on the East side of 86th Street at the Horn & Hardart Automatic sitting upstairs balcony section. I lived on 93rd Street. So they often walked from the Dakota into Central Park to the East side of Yorkville. Most actors/celebrities walked all over Manhattan.

I remember when I heard about John’s death that night while watching TV. I have never felt so bad, so bewildered, so useless. There was nothing I could do. I couldn’t hope for his recovery. I couldn’t change anything. I couldn’t burst out in rage. He was gone. Just like that. So I cried all night.

John wanted the freedom to walk around New York without bodyguards and limos. Most celebrities in New York did the same thing back then.

The Dakota wasn’t in a dangerous part of the city. It was the Upper West Side right across from the safest part of Central Park and a safe neighborhood. I lived on the UWS not far from the Dakota in the late 70s thru the 80s. You saw famous people every day. And no one bothered them. They talked to you and you interacted like the neighbors you were. Smart New Yorkers also knew which places to steer clear of, especially late at night. Everyone knew who John was and respected his privacy. New Yorkers then were very different than the current contrived, celebrity obsession we have today. The fact that the Dakota door man let Chapman hang out all day into the evening was bizarre and quite suspicious. No door man building in NYC allowed anyone to hang around for even five minutes if they didn’t live there. Funny how no one talks about that. One of the people who worked with John and Yoko has spoken about it.

Totally agree that John was way too trusting and should have never left the Dakota without a security guard.

Like many times before, I was thinking it as the narration came on. Of all tragedies, John Lennons death has always stood out as the one you wish you could go back in time and stop.

These photos show how approachable and open John was. He was quite clearly a happy man living in domestic bliss with his family and that was tragically taken away from him.

I came from liverpool UK, to stand where john and Yoko stood outside the Dakota, it was great.

So glad he lived his life free, what a talent, sorely missed

I need to say that I was a manager at the Dakota for about a year around 1988 or so and the narrative here is excellent, spot on. Your knowledge of the building, layout, courtyard... the fact that John and Yoko had 3 apartments at the Dakota for their home and Studio One activities would not be known by most. I was in John's apartment and do not specifically remember some of the rooms in the photos, but they are certainly in keeping of my memories. The building is wonderful, an architectural marvel- the courtyard and its fountains which came alive during the summer for the annual Courtyard party. I iss those times. Well done.

I got to go inside the Dakota circa 1991 working for an air-conditioning company, there was a modeling shoot going on in one of the apartments (forgot which floor? one of the lower floors I believe) and they were having problems with the cooling. I was able to walk around fairly freely ,also in the inner courtyard and the entry where John was shot. Not many people are able to do that, unless you have reason to be in the building.

Great video, thank you. I was in college when Lennon was shot. I went to the memorial in Central Park. I can remember every detail of those days, even what I wore to the memorial, the weather, how silent the moment of silence was, everything. That event in history had significance in my life.

Yeah man. I was there. My father drove me here one weekend and I waited outside for an hour to see John. He never showed up. But, it was exciting.

He asked me if I had change for a $20 one day in NYC. Cabs at that time wanted exact change and wherever he was going was less than $20..he was a regular person.

I saw you on my google feed. Lovely presentation, thank you. I was at the Dakota and Strawberry Fields Memorial a couple yrs. ago. A vendor told me Yoko split for upstate N.Y. at the Covid breakout in 2019. And since then she has permanently left the Dakota for the 600 acre farm she & John purchased years ago. Yoko just turned 90 ...

I couldn't have enjoyed this more than I did. The pictures and the commentary are excellent. I love when you do Beatles stuff.

Im a former New Yorker who as a teen would hang out in front of the Dakota waiting to meet John. I never did but several years after John's death I met Yoko in Central Park. A thing about New Yorkers and celebrities who live there is that there this understanding between the two that famous rich people can have normal lives in public and not worry about being hassled. John touched on this aspect of New Yorkers too. Unfortunately, it was an outsider that December night that took.John away from us.

I lived a block from the Dakota and I used to see John and Yoko walking around the streets pretty regularly. I recognize some of those hats and jackets.

My entire childhood was a movie with a Beatles soundtrack. I woke up one morning to go to work and was greeted with the news that John was dead. I was 23. I worked in NYC and left work early to go to the Dakota. I tried to be as small as possible because I knew that Yoko and Sean must be in such pain, but, I was in such a state of disbelief and lonely despair that I couldn't think of anything else to do. Soon tv trucks came. That part was awful. I really stopped listening to the Beatles that day. It was just too painful. It was my first death, you see. When my son was a baby, years and years after, the only songs that I knew all the words to were Beatle songs. He loved them. He loved and loves the Yellow Submarine movie. It's a double edged feeling. Knowing how talented and wonderful those guys were and how they made the world a better place and the sadness that John and now George weren't here to enjoy this one part of their legacy. I wanted the Beatles to be the soundtrack for my whole life. Who ever expected media to be the way it is now. Not I. Every album was a gift on am radio. Every song a hit. The beginning of music videos. For whatever complications-- it was a way simpler time. RIP John and George.

Thank-you very much for sharing these pictures of John Lennon and his family and friends they are very nice photos.And the Dakota building.

I really enjoyed it thank you very much.I have been going to the decoder for the last 35 years on the anniversaries. I am also a lifelong New Yorker.I will always love his music and Strawberry Fields

John should’ve had security with him when he stepped out he was way too famous to just step outside. I get it’d be a pain but it’s better than being attacked

Fascinating. Thank you for also not naming the "piece of garbage" nor including it in the photo. John spoke about feeling free to walk about New York and not be "bugged" by people. I'm surprised how many other celebrities, or people who previously knew him, have since referred to bumping into him in NY, so he was clearly regularly out and about. With proper security, and people checking around him, as in the case of other world leaders, we would not have lost this very special person. He would have loved social media and been all over it, and would have been great to read or hear his take on current political and other events. I think we would have seen much more of John.

Interesting photographic insight into life inside the Dakota with the Lennons.

I live on 71 st, between cpw and Columbus Ave,i walk by the Dakota everyday,its a really nice looking building

I loved your narrative and the precious photos. You mentioned in your commentary that John often walked along freely in NYC as you described the picture of him and Yoko on the street corner. Your comment that there was no legitimate reason for John to make himself so available to the public is valid! But that was John. He knew the risks but he thought why would someone want to kill a Beatle? So he decided to act like a regular citizen and unfortunately we lost him as a result. You are 100% right - a celebrity of his stature walking around in public without protection was inviting a disaster. I will always love and admire John's great music and his idealism. Sometimes, unfortunately, the dark reality of this world gets in the way. That was foreign to John. He always favored dreaming of a perfect world over the reality. I hope and pray he is now in that idealistic world he envisioned.

John said something to the affect of ' most people leave me alone but, I get recognized just enough to help my ego ". hind sight is 20/20 , we all hate it that hes gone .NYC is always tricky but it can be navigated .Most of the places John frequented were relatively safe , for the most part .He didn't stroll the sketchy areas asking for change for a 100 . if you live in NYC you know what I mean .

Beautiful pictures, many of which I’ve never seen before. Thank you for your work, it shows that it is made out of loving appreciation of his life. 👍🏻

I really miss John Lennon.

Oh my ... adorable!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Thank you for not showing that evil creature who so brutally took John's life. I agree with you regarding John thinking he could just walk around like he did but that piece of filth had no right to do what he did. It breaks my heart thinking about what happened to John and I hope he's looking down and seeing how much he is loved and missed.

The photo of John & Julian it was taken by Nishi F. Saimaru & its in book of photos called the John Lennon family album which I have a copy of. It days a the beginning theze photo's were not intended for the public,then itwas decided to release the photos in 1990 by Chronicle Books of San Francisco. I hope this helps who ever is interested

Amazing how John was such a chameleon over his life with his facial hair and hairstyles over the years, almost sometimes looking like a completely different human. Yet in the end, his final look almost returned him right back to 1965.

Great video! Thanks for providing a more in depth look into John's life at the Dakota. I agree with you about the fact that it was just too risky for John & Yoko to just walk around without security. Either way thanks for the great content!

Love this video thnks for keeping the memory of peace and love alive. Rip John ❤

Thank you for not mentioning the name or showing the likeness of the bum who had no other purpose in life but to cause harm to another human being. There is enough schadenfreude in this world without glorifying bad behavior, so thank you for showing that respect.

I love the photo with Julian, he was so not welcomed by Yoko. He looks so cute here. He was talented like his dad (and looked like him too!)

I lived on the upper West Side from 1977 to 1992, and you are so right about the scene on the streets in the 70s I mean, it was literally like "Taxi Driver", so precautions simply were a must, especially for someone like John! I visited the shrine at the Dakota entrance immediately following the horrid incident and was at the memorial in Central Park the following Sunday 😢I was also lucky enough to be at the invitation only dedication of Strawberry 🍓 Fields, and saw Yoko, Julian and little Sean,a memory I will always treasure. and, hey, here's a bonus One hot summer day, I actually encountered Ray Davies of the Kinks and spoke to him right there on the sidewalk at the Dakota's entrance and he told me when the "Low Budget" tour would commence! New York City ---just no place like it! No wonder John loved it so. And the City loved him back!!

The book called Time and Again by Jack Finney. Time travel set in the Dakota. An unforgettable story.

Wow, what a trip back in time! I really appreciate it! Great details of the Dakota, wonderful photos!

As a lifelong Beatles and JL fan, these were absolutely captivating, Hoping for more if you can get them. Your narration was superb - interesting and easy to follow. The one of Julian (9 or 10 I am guessing) is interesting, as I never knew Julian saw John at the Dakota. One point you drove home on one of the shots was your comments on John roaming around without any body guard protection. I could not agree more!!!! He was reckless in that regard, and particularly in a place like NYC. Sure, you can lost in the crowd if you are an ordinary person , but not when you are someone that is instantly recognizable as one of the most famous and photographed people in the world. He needed a Mal Evans like the early days. Although a genius, John clearly exercised poor judgement at times in his public life. This one tragically cost him his life. Thanks again and can't wait for more if you can get them!!

I loved this video. I am a huge John Lennon fan and have been since I was very young. I am old enough to have followed the Beatles from their early days and remember the moment I learned of John’s passing. I watched another video of yours about the Dakota recently so was thrilled when I saw this one featuring John photos. I agree with your sentiment that John should have not walked around NYC as if he were just a “normal” guy. He was so much more than that and tragically the monster that took his life took advantage of John’s desire to just live his life. Thank you for sharing this, I subscribed.

You’ve got a point about walking around so free and easy , Frank Sinatra for example had a full mob with him IF he even walked . I worked in Manhattan on west 66 th street for ABC for years and I always looked for him along with Isaac Asimov who lived on CPW . Now they’re both dead . The night John was killed I remember driving in to Manhattan and parking my car on west 68th street later on walking up to the Dakota . Terrible day .

Loved this. And thank you for not mentioning that idiots name! It drives me crazy when he is mentioned! And his picture is shown. That last picture of John signing the autograph is bad enough, but at least you took that creep out of it. Thank you. Great video .

Visiting the sight where Lennon was shot was an eery experience. But across the street to the IMAGINE MEMORIAL made it a positive .❤

Thanks for sharing! I definitely don't blame Paul for selling the last photo of John Lennon. I think his fans were happy to see this photo, and it was worth sharing, and I prefer that a fan and friend of John gets some money for it rather than a paparazzi. You mentioned, that you can walk right through the courtyard of the Dakota. Can anyone just go there and walk through it or is this only for residents and their guests?

Wow, you make me feel like I'm listening to an old friend. I love your narration. You are a cool guy! 😊

Paul Goldenberger he was the architecture critic at The New Yorker, lived in one of the rooftop gable apartments

He had every right selling that last photo of John. No problem from me.

This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing these as well as the narration❣️🎶🎸💟

Wow absolutely loved this. Thank you so much for putting all this together with amazing narrative. Best 22 mins and 9 seconds on you tube! Best wishes.

This is a great video. I love the pictures. I remember being aware that John walked around the city freely, but I don't think I connected that fact with the circumstances around his death. It feels like he probably had hated all the security in the early days of the Beatles. He definitely wanted to be free of that. Thanks for your work.

Great video! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to produce it and share it with us.

You said if we could go back in time to save John Lennon?!" Yes Indeed l Would love to keep him Safe. But would John change his habits. We will never know. John Lennon died two days before my 20th Birthday. So Yes ❤️ I Miss Him!"❤

Thank you for this loving tribute to John, Yoko, & their children.

A loverly young lady friend I knew in the early 80's, whose name I don't recall, lived at the Dakota while studying violin at Juilliard. Her kitchen window was directly across the courtyard from John and Yoko's kitchen window. They made acquaintance that way and eventually she baby-sat for them, so I guess this would have been circa 1976-80, at which time she graduated and moved back to California.

Love this great information on John!

Thank you for these great picture.

I noticed Mae Pang in a couple of those photos. The backside photo of a girl walking with him leaving the Dakota and one of John and Yoko with Mae a few steps behind. She was Yoko's assistant and John's companion when he was ejected for 18 months.

I love history ! John Lennon as most of us Brits or related to) have a unique sense of fashion. Ref mostly to the pic with John with shoulder length hair Elvis” jacket the Scottish style cap on his head….what I’ve noticed through these series so far of photos…IS JOHN LOOKING SO HAPPY! Yes,love to see a young Julian Lennon w his Dad! I forever wondered before he got brutally murdered ,the precise same thing! Add on his strong POLITICAL VIEWS SOME SAY THEY GREW POT AS WELL.( Don’t quote me,it was something I read] I love to see John just relaxing alone w his feet up I HATED SEEING CHAPMAN GETTING HIS ALBUM SIGNED John so vulnerable So kindly. All you need is love he likely thought signed the album. I feel Paul’s situation. He ended up the HERO! In my eyes. I loved John very very much .I’ve been to NYC once. BEFORE THIS OCCURED But in my humble opinion I think he should’ve had a bodyguard! Oh im thrilled about you spoke about the sheltered animals! Like you know me ❤ I adopted my gorge cat now she’s 14 happy healthy lady ! 🫶🕊️🇬🇧😸if I could I’d save them all. Animal love is most perfect So unproblematic and humans ? Well, I adore my music im in my 60s But …..animals and writing giving my creative outlet that. All us human beings essentially need to. find. No, I Never go on Instagram Im not a Model wait …I just woke up like ONE🎉MY CAT TOLD ME!😊

Thank you Scott! Awesome video! I appreciate the narration so I know what I’m looking at. Well done!

Wonderful to see these photos, thank you. Like all of us I remember that dreadful day in December 1980 and think what might have been.

Great commentary. Excellent care, yup, he was over his fame and was just enjoying being John Lennon.

I still 💟 JL.

You know, first of all thanks so much for sharing all this with us! I'm a huge Beatles fan, John Lennon and Paul McCartney! I've been in front of the Dakota building exactly where John was tragically murdered. Sad, very sad. It makes me not want to be there, live there. I'm curious if other people feel like that.

Your narrative is fantastic I feel like I’m walking along with a friend the photos the incredible descriptions…..I loved the Elvis pin on Lennon’s coat as I am a huge fan Thank you so much !

All the photos are pretty cool.Great job

Great photos! It is interesting to note that Sean, shown early on as a baby is now older by quite a few years than John when he was murdered.

Greetings from Panamá 🇵🇦 I’m really glad to watch your work. Is amazing for me because I’m a fan of John and I had the opportunity to be there twice in 2015 and 2017. I really love how NYC remember John and hope so return soon. Thanks again.

the photos of John in a fur collared denim jacket are by Paul Goresh . i was looking at them at his home and theyve been published many times before . nice new page and sort of different tone Scott .

I agree about security for Lennon in New York . Two security guards should have been with him as he left the Dakota everyday , one to clear a path , the other to stick to him like glue , then at least one of them to accompany him wherever he goes in public. Returning to the Dakota , again one to clear a path and one to stand right by him. Even this basic security would have made the actual killer's job a lot more difficult on that fateful night. You see the security levels even moderate celebrities have these days when meeting fans or just going about their business in public , and you compare it to Lennon's non-security and the mind boggles.

Strange story but true. About a week or so before his death, I was working in the Dakota for my boss. I got lost in the building and came upon two men in front of an apartment. One was well dressed and one was in a bathrobe. I asked them both for directions before the man in the robe eased the well dressed man to the side and started to tell me how to get to where I wanted to go. As he was giving me directions, I thought he looked familiar but as a shorter man and in a bathrobe I didn't put 2 and two together. I thanked him and found my way back to my bosses apt. I asked him if John Lennon lived here and he said yes he did. I was somewhat shaking and said to him that I just talked to him; to which he murmured a "big deal". I worked with my boss in the Dakota all that week so I did see John a few times during that week. Interesting week for me to say the least,

Awesome and beautiful photos 🙏❤

at 9:26 - that's the Sony CF-580 cassette recorder that John used to make his demos of "Real Love", "Free As A Bird", "Now & Then", etc. The built-in mono condenser mic captured the piano and voice at the same time (which caused the Beatles a lot of technical problems when they went to turn those demos into records with John on lead vocal!

This was excellent, thank you

He was such a beautiful soul his kindness and generosity came natural to him for him to not be among the people just wasn’t his way it’s sad how it took someone to sit right under his nose after enjoying his freedom among so many that loved him to be taken the way he was. Well done on all your work it was very much appreciated.

Great VDO. Thanks.

John Lennon walking around NYC with no security is one of the many reasons why we love the man. He was courageous.

As I recall, John and Yoko gave an interview on the last day of his life to a music journalist named David Sholin, during which photographs were taken of the three of them together in Yoko's Dakota business office. (John is wearing the same thing as he was wearing in Mr. Goresh's final photo, a black crew-neck sweater, with a red t-shirt peaking out from underneath.) At the conclusion of the interview, John and Yoko and Sholin and his crew all left the Dakota together, and when John received word that his and Yoko's driver was stuck in traffic, he asked if Sholin could have his driver drop them off at the Record Plant on their way to the airport. By the time Sholin's plane had landed in LA, he received word of John's murder.

Love how he has Elvis on his lapel of black coat from 3mins to 3:46 Just listened to a couple Elvis songs "If I Can Dream" and "A little less Conversation" without knowing I was going to tap on this video. Always love Both of them and Yes, Jagger rounds out my top 3 of all time

Great video of John's life ....some pictures that have never been seen !! A+ Thx

Brilliant work here🥂

Thanks for posting. Grew up with John & the Beatles . Love them to this day and God bless Yoko and the children of John + heartfelt sympathy for George Paul & Ringo losing their friend and fellow musician. I'm sure they would've recorded again.🎸🥁🪘 22:09

Please allow me to write some clarifications: The Hamill's pics on the roof and in the two apartments were taken on February 24 1975, short after the end of the Lost Weekend. The pic oustside with short hair was taken by some fan on the May 25 1976, when the Lennons left for join Ringo in LA and they were waiting for a limo. At 7.50" pic by photographer Shinoyama, that took the photographs for the Double Fantasy (And Milk and honey) sleeve that same day. He worked for them from September 15 to 18, so he made a lot of photograph (mainly with John dressed totally in black). Pic of John in western suit and Yoko in shorts by late Paul Goresh was shot on August 7, 1980, as they were leaving for first day of recording sessions for DF. There was also an official photographer, Roger Farrington, but they allowed their friend Paul to take some pics too. The pic of John strolling through the Dakota archway was taken on early August 1980 by some lucky fan, but John was not alone, as you can see, there's Yoko still in the shadow. The pic of John at the piano with the Sony Cassette Recorder was taken by Lilo Raymond, not Bob Gruen, on August 30,1980 John and Julian in the kitchen was taken in 1977 Xmas vacations, by the then assistant (who pubblished a nice book "A family album", with various photos of his working times at the Dakota, from 1976 to 1979) Nishi F. Saimaru John in total denim barefoot in the kitchen was taken by Rollingstone photographer Annie Leibowitz, on December 3, 1980, a few day from the more famous photosession of John naked near Yoko dressed of December 8. At 16' John with Wrangler jacket with fur collar was winter 1976/77 by some fan(s) Pic in the "Studio one" at groundfloor is from the same session of John and Yoko both in leather jackets standing behind the Dakota, by Allan Tannenbaum on November 21, 1980 John and Paul Goresh and the Dakota doorman is from the day Double Fantasy was released, November 17. John and Yoko refused any bodyguards, but jhired one just to protect Sean. The man suggested to them several times that they needed someone to follow them on the way between the Dakota and the recording studios, especially after the Lennons had released several interviews in which they recounted their "typical day". There was a security guard at the Record plant, but his only job was not to let anyone into the recording studio during the sessions. Yoko's blatant reasoning was that they "loved the fans and could not fear them". Sean's bodyguard was later the man who brought Lennon's ashes to the Dakota.

I think John knew that it was naive to not have bodyguards and extra precautions. As I'm sure it was a sense of euphoria a high feeling if you will for him. There is the story of him picking out his jacket on his own and he reportedly said "I couldn't believe it! I'm actually picking up my own jacket!!" So there was definitely a strong sense of liberation he got from it and with John not just being a huge fan of the people but also an advocate of the people, it starts makes sense why his reasoning was off. Also most of his normal city walking time was during his retirement years and I think as Double Fantasy continued to become a success along with him being back in the Limelight again, I feel like he would of eventually chosen to have some guards around is my bet, just too little to late sadly.

Fantastic work!!!

11/12/23....WONDERFUL BUILDING. I AM GLAD IT'S BEEN COMPLETELY RENOVATED/REBUILT/REINFORCED FOR THE NEXT 140 OR SO YRS.... SECURITY ISSUES WOULD BOTHER ME ABOUT NYC + SO MANY PPL... NOT TO MENTION THE HIGH COSTS!

Great storytelling!!!!

I remember going to see the Dakota in the early 80s and saw top right apt Leonard Bernstein conducting practice and the he turned and looked down I waived and he waived Back I remember Shelley winters lived there also

I was in NYC during the 80's. I saw lots of very famous, very rich people just walking around the city. Nobody bothered them. In NYC, they COULD walk around like a normal guy and just drop into a restaurant, etc. That is partly why so many of them go there. Locals know they should just leave them alone. Sure, anyone could get mugged, but the chances of it happening to any given person were very small, as long as you stayed out of certain parts of the city. The area of the Dakota was pretty safe.

Thank you. I met Julian. Very sweet. Cool boots!!

very cool. thanks for putting this together!

Groovy memories

Great video. Wonderful commentary. Thanks for posting!