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Attractions and venues across Liverpool came together in Ocotber to celebrate what would have been the 80th birthday of John Lennon.
On Friday 9th October, John would have turned 80 and as the home of the Fab Four, Liverpool couldn’t let the occasion go by unmarked. Celebrations were scaled down due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and social distancing rules but there was still a chance for visitors and fans to celebrate and pay their respects to John.
We've rounded up everything that happend on the day and things you can still see now to continue celebrating John Lennon's legacy.
THE BEATLES STORY
The Beatles Story is the world’s largest permanent exhibition dedicated to telling the story of the lives and careers of the Fab Four. Not only was 2020 their 30th anniversary but they also celebrated what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday with something special too.
Award-winning, The Beatles Story have on display a new photographic exhibition titled ‘Sgt. Pepper Way’, showcasing previously unseen images of John Lennon celebrating what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th 2020. The black and white photographs capture Lennon at the ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road’ theatre show at The Beacon Theatre, New York on October 17, 1974, and have never before been on public display. In the snapshots, which have remained unseen for over 45 years, Lennon can be seen changing the name of West 74th street on Broadway to SGT. PEPPER WAY, sitting at an organ and relaxing in a dark velvet suit, top hat and ‘ELVIS’ lapel badge. The photographs were all taken by Robert Deutsch who worked as a freelance photographer in New York during the 1970/80s. Find out more on their website.
STRAWBERRY FIELD
Strawberry Field is what inspired John Lennon to write The Beatles hit Strawberry Fields Forever and they had plenty planned to help mark his 80th birthday.
To celebrate, the world-famous piano that John Lennon used to compose and record, 'Imagine' one of the great peace anthems of the 20th century is on display at Strawberry Field. Find out more about the piano on their website.
On 9th October, Strawberry Field gave visitors the opportunity to reflect and remember John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday by launching ‘Peace Pebbles’. Visitors were invited to leave a pebble in the gardens, with a short message of peace, love or hope. After John’s birthday, the pebbles remain as a temporary installation in the gardens, adding to the visitor experience.
Alongside the pebbles, the team at Strawberry Field dedicated a stone on Strawberry Lane to John and invited visitors to do the same. Strawberry Lane is a path that runs from the iconic red gates at Strawberry Field to the front of the visitor centre. Visitors have the chance to purchase a stone and inscribe on it a message that will be part of Strawberry Field forever.
By choosing to inscribe a stone for Strawberry Lane, you are helping to keep the gates of Strawberry Field open. The sale of the stones go towards funding the Steps To Work programme at Strawberry Field and help to keep the visitor centre open, for the good of the community and the visitors that come from all over the world to experience this place that meant alot to John Lennon.
The team at Strawberry Field also launched the ‘People of Peace’ Awards and searched for the Liverpool’s most inspirational ‘People of Peace’. It is a unique way of celebrating the legacy of John Lennon, and encouraging peace, which John often spoke about. You can find out all about the awards and the winners on their website here.
Strawberry Field also invited people from across the world to join them at Midday on October 9th to ‘Imagine Peace’ together. The team created a short video highlighting ‘Prayers For Peace’ written by people from different countries across the world. The prayers are being displayed through the gardens at Strawberry Field and they are inviting you to send in your own Prayer for Peace that can be added to the collection. For more information on how to submit your own prayer visit their website here.
(John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird with the 'Imagine' piano on loan to Liverpool's Strawberry Field exhibition to mark what would have been John's 80th birthday courtesy of the estate of the late George Michael. Photo credit - Ant Clausen)
HARD DAYS NIGHT HOTEL
The Hard Days Night Hotel is the world’s only Beatles inspired hotel. Located in the heart of Liverpool’s Beatles Quarter on the corner of Mathew Street it’s the perfect place to stay for fans of The Beatles.
To commemorate John Lennon’s 80th birthday on 9th October, Hard Days Night Hotel done lots to celebrate.
For the weekend of the 9th to the 11th October, all guests checking in were given a special Hard Days Night welcome and invited to try some complimentary chocolate cake upon arrival. Over the weekend there was also a gallery of art work featuring John Lennon on display and a brand new Brandy Alexander Cocktail added to the drinks menu to enjoy.
As part of the celebrations Hard Days Night Hotel will also launched their Imagine Package. This includes a stay in the Lennon Suite, a full English breakfast and their brand new John Lennon 80 Afternoon Tea. The package is available to book now and reservations are only available direct with the hotel by phoning 0151 236 1964.
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR
The Cavern Club is currently closed to the public but they still commemorated John Lennon’s 80th birthday with their own celebrations.
The Magical Mystery Tour ran a special one-off sightseeing tour to celebrate the life and music of one of Liverpool’s greatest songwriters. The 3-hour ‘In My Life - John Lennon 80’ sightseeing tour took you to places associated with John Lennon as he grew up and formed the world’s biggest band - The Beatles. The Cavern’s expert guide paints the picture of John Lennon’s childhood and teenage years, growing up in post-war Liverpool. With photo opportunities along the way, the tour included a visit to Strawberry Field’s Peace Garden where visitors could see the original gates.
THE ART OF JOHN AND YOKO
Broadcaster and former BBC Radio Merseyside legend Roger Philips and Beatles expert and lecturer Dr Holly Tessler from the University of Liverpool celebrated John Lennon’s birthday with a special online event. Roger and Holly will discussed John’s unique talent as a musician, artist and songwriter, his relationship with Yoko Ono Lennon and the love for his home city of Liverpool.
All of the events planned to mark the occasion followed strict social distancing rules. For more information on visiting Liverpool please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
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