December 8, 1980: The Day John Lennon Died

by Keith Elliot Greenberg

(Book). In a breathtaking, minute-by-minute format, December 8, 1980: The Day John Lennon Died follows the events leading to the horrible moment when Mark David Chapman calmly fired his Charter Arms .38 Special into the rock icon, realizing his perverse fantasy of attaining perennial notoriety. New York Times bestselling author Keith Elliot Greenberg takes us back to New York City and the world John Lennon woke up to. The day begins with a Rolling Stone photo session that takes on an uncomfortable tone when photographer Annie Leibowitz tries to maneuver Yoko Ono out of the shot. Later Lennon gives the last interview of his life, declaring, "I consider that my work won't be finished until I'm dead and buried and I hope that's a long, long time." We follow the other Beatles, Lennon's family, the shooter, fans, and New York City officials through the day, and as the hours progress, the pace becomes more breathless. Once the fatal shots are fired, the clock continues to tick as Dr. Stephan Lynn walks from the emergency room after declaring the former Beatle dead, Howard Cosell announces the singer's passing on Monday Night Football , and Paul McCartney is lambasted for muttering "Drag, isn't it?" - his bereavement confused with indifference. The epilogue examines the aftermath of the the considerable moment when 100,000 New Yorkers stood in silence in Central Park, the posthumous reunion of the Beatles in the studio with George, Paul, and Ringo accompanying the recordings of their old friend the unveiling of a bronze John Lennon statue in Fidel Castro's Cuba, and the durable legacy that persists today.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, History, True Crime

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Keith Elliot Greenberg is a New York Times bestselling author and producer for America's Most Wanted. In addition to producing programs for VH1, 48 Hours, MSNBC Investigates, the History Channel, and Court TV, among others, Greenberg has authored more than thirty nonfiction books and written for such outlets as Maxim, The Village Voice, The New York Observer, USA Today, Playboy.com, and US Weekly."

Reviews

[Brenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Scattered" describes the narrative portion of the book, with very little unique information, make it difficult to wade through this book.

[Scott Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been much better if it had focused solely on Dec. 8th.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I suppose if I was going to read this, now's the time of year to do so. Obviously very difficult subject matter. I still can't bring myself to watch the newish docu-drama, "The Lennon Report."

But on to the book. I agree with other reviewers who noted that it contains quite a bit of filler that won't be anything new to Beatles people. If you already know Aunt Mimi, the Quarrymen, "bigger than Jesus" and all the rest like you know your own family members' names, you won't get any new revelations from the rehashing of the Beatles' story. A few questionable "facts" are repeated (family members have said the heartrending scene in which 5-year-old John was forced to choose between his mother and father didn't actually happen) and the more unpleasant side of Yoko is glossed over (we are told that Yoko rushed to invite Julian to the Dakota after the loss of his father, but not the nasty comment she offered to Cynthia).

But overall, this is a good book that captures the voices of not just the major players in this tragedy, but also everyday New Yorkers and fans who were caught up in the shock and grief of the evening. It makes you feel as if you are there among the mourners gathered on the street and are just hearing the news anew.

[Patrick Casebeer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this book. However, I didn’t. I felt like I was reading the ramblings from inside Mark David Chapman himself with the book going from one story to the next back to another. One time to another then back. And one typo to another. Who proofread this, the little people that talked to Chapman??? If they were telling him to ‘do it, just do it’ in terms of writing this, they should have said ‘don’t do it’.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it. Very straight-forward. Just enough information, didn't rehash all the Beatles info we all already know. Really enjoyed this.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling account

This is one of several books I have read about the murder of John Lennon. This book seems more factual than the other books and includes accounts from others who either directly experienced the day or who were tangentially impacted by its events. The reading is easy and hard to put down once you have begun. You get a glimpse of the real Lennon, his love for his family, and his positive feelings about finally being back making music. I felt the loss all over again and wonder once more what other songs John would have given us. Today more than ever his and Yoko's message to give peace a chance is as relevant to the times and the human condition as it was then. Good read and well deserving of the 5 stars for its recounting of the events and the reminder of John's spirit.

[Sharon Falduto]

This is a really compelling journalistic account of the events that transpired in the lives of both John Lennon and his assassin, leading up to the tragic evening shooting that ended the Beatle's life. It's heartwrenching to read about John's plans for the future, and about all the places that Mark David Chapman could have decided not to go ahead with his plan. What a loss.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZNuV...

[Mike Balsom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having just visited New York City for the first time in my life, I finally decided to read this book that I had picked up about a year prior. Being able to relate to some of the locations made me experience the events a little mor personally than I would have without having made that trip.

Having said that, there was a lot of talk for many years that since John Lennon's murderer killed him to become famous, his name should no longer be mentioned. I never really agreed with that, and I was glad that Greenberg's novel shed a little more light on Mark David Chapman's motivations and mental state in 1980.

John Lennon had become such a part of NYC, and NYC such an integral part of him at the time. The narrative here shows that symbiotic relationship, and also sets the event up as a turning point in "celebrity adoration". We will never get back to a point where fans can gather outside of a place like the Dakotah, waiting for their hero to come out and talk to them. We now live in a society where fear and mistrust are the law of the land. Wouldn't it be so much better to go back to a time before December 8, 1980?

[Rosebud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the Eiteljorg while visiting their guitar exhibit earlier this summer. I was drawn to it since I remember exactly where I was when the news came on to say John had been shot and had died. I sat at my kitchen table and cried. The author takes you through John's day, as well as the other Beatles and others who knew and didn't know him, and how they experienced the news of his death. Of course, he takes you through Mark David Chapman's day. Sadly, he confirms that this senseless murder was so Chapman could become a household word. Well good for you, Chapman--I hope you're satisfied with your "status."

One quote in the book was that someone immediately thought upon hearing of John's death was "think of all the music John will never write." So true. I often think of John when the events of the day are so ludicrous and long for his wisdom and his ability to make us see through the nonsense to the truth of life. Will always love and miss you, John.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe as a 30 year I missed some things about the Beatles, because I did learn new information about them from this book.
The book jumps around between Lennon's youth to the day he was shot and Mark David Chapman's life. It generally all progresses forward though, culminating in the moment of Lennon's death.
While it seems that at times the author is heralding Lennon as his idol, if you stick with the book, the reader realizes that the perspective is actually rather unbiased. Lennon's flaws come out, as do the other Beatles'.
Even though we all know what happens, you will savor the chapter describing Lennon's death, reading it slowly and trying to picture yourself in the shoes of everyone who was affected by it...Yoko, Paul, Ringo, George, the doctor who operated on him, the radio dj who announced his death, John himself,... and of course, Chapman, who we will never understand.

[Brian S. Wise]

Won't be finishing this book, and therefore won't rate it. Recently, when reviewing another book, I wrote that " ... unlike so many books written about Lincoln, the Kennedys, and John Lennon, [the author] writes ... without attempting to conduct a love affair with his subject."

Keith Elliott Greenberg has no such restraint. "The Day John Lennon Died" is a love letter, and by the time I'd gotten to the 50th page, I couldn't take anymore. That kind of writing might be attractive to some people, but it takes me completely out of the story.

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not as extensive as some "The day somebody died" "or was shot," books, this is a nice review of the principals and witnesses involved, with the events taking a back seat. What is new here is a few more years of perspective, and it seems Lennon's legacy gets more relevant with the passing of time. All icons come with their human faults, and John Lennon was no exception. The irony is that in his final years he had more peace than his music helped create.

[Jim Gullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the really striking and sad days for anyone who was a lover of pop music and/or was living in New York when this happened, as I was, is retold in painstaking detail. Keith Greenberg makes the story taut and compelling as it rolls along to its heartbreaking, inevitable conclusion. A bit of American history that is worth taking a moment to ponder and relive.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greenberg gives us the events of the day of December 8, 1980, leading up to that horrific moment as Mark Chapman fired his gun at the back of John Lennon. Much of the book covers the two lives of Lennon and Chapman up to those fatal moments. And the end shows us the aftermath, as 100,000 New Yorkers gathered in Central Park and stood in silence...

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it didn't have a lot of "new" information, this book read quickly and in a format that was unexpected. I was expecting a lot of dry non-fiction facts, but it read more like fiction. Great book for any Beatles fans.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and poignant rundown of the tragic events of December 8, 1980, the day John Lennon was murdered in front of his apartment at the Dakota in New York City. Chronicles the life of Lennon and the birth (and demise) of the Beatles and the mentally unbalanced young man who killed him.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT. Freakiest part was the guy who was in the hospital bed, look behind a curtain and sees a dead John.. Can't imagine what that would even feel like... I think about it every time I think about the book... Highly recommend. HIGHLY.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. One must read with an open mind and look at the content rather writing style only! I learned a few new things about John and the Beatles and their relationship. I also learned about the man who shoot him! I am glad I took the time to read the whole book!

[Ken French · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terribly well-written, but an exhaustive look at that tragic night, which I still remember vividly.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not only informative and riveting, but it was very well told. Evoked a lot of emotion at the right times.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it, this book gave good insight without being too terribly long or boring. It made me want to keep reading.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recounting of the day Lennon died, mixed with biographical information. I didn't really learn very much new about Lennon, but I teared up as the book lead up to his murder.

[Maigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep. I cried. It was beautiful. So much insight. But it was also funny. Humorous and tragic. Just like Lennon himself.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me very sad, but it was a good read.

[Makayla Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative on John's death. It made me cry too, but I felt like I knew a lot more and I could tell people about it confident in what I am saying.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much about the Beatles that I never knew before.