41 years ago today, December 8th 1980, we lost John Lennon after he was shot outside of the Dakota in New York City, the apartment where he lived. He was 40 years old.

He was shot by a fan, Mark David Chapman. According to reports, Chapman claimed he was inspired by Holden Caulfield, a fictional character from the novel The Catcher in the Rye, “a phony-killer who despises hypocrisy.” This supposedly had something to do with a remark made by Lennon in a March 1966 interview, saying The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus”.

John Winston Ono Lennon was a not only the founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of The Beatles, but he was also a peace activist who achieved worldwide fame. He was well known as an advocate for peace and love, and the world mourned together when he passed.

Aside from songs by The Beatles, John Lennon’s had many famous solo records including Imagine, Jealous Guy, Woman, Working Class Hero, Just Like Starting Over,  and Happy Xmas (War is Over).

Three days before he died on December 8th, John Lennon talked with Rolling Stone for nine hours. You can read that here.