John Lennon ‘predicted own death’ before assassination as killer finally explains why he did it
An old interview containing quotes from John Lennon seemingly 'predicting' his own murder has resurfaced.
The Beatles co-lead vocalist remains one of the most famous and iconic names in music history, decades on from his infamous murder in New York City.
Back on 8 December 1980, John Lennon was leaving his apartment building, The Dakota, in New York City, alongside wife Yoko Ono.
He would then be approached by Mark David Chapman, then 25, who fired five shots, four into Lennon's back, which proved fatal for the 'Let It Be' singer after he was rushed to hospital in a police car.
Advert
It's been almost 45 years since the horrific murder, which saw the death of one of the world's most popular musicians at a young age.
Chapman has since revealed the reasoning behind the act, in what was his 14th attempt at regaining freedom.
The legendary British rock band had broken up 10 years before, but Lennon had forged his own career path post-Beatles with memorable songs such as 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' and 'Imagine'.
But he was killed because of his success, according to Chapman, who claimed: "My crime was completely selfish."
When asked about his motives, he asmitted: “To be famous, to be something I wasn’t.
“And then I just realised, hey, there is a goal here. I don’t have to die and I can be a somebody. I had sunk that low.
“That morning of the 8th, I just knew. I don’t know how I knew but I just knew that was going to be the day that I was going to meet and kill him,” Chapman said, after previously claiming that Lennon's comments about the band being 'bigger than Jesus' enraged him.
While the harrowing confession may have come as a shock to fans of the late Liverpudlian, it turns out that he may have known all along.
Lennon can be heard saying 'shoot me' at the start of 1969 Abbey Road tune 'Come Together', while even penning a song called 'Happiness is a Warm Gun', but these are merely coincidental.
Speaking in an interview back in 1965, he told a reporter: “We’ll either go in a plane crash or we’ll be popped off by some loony.”
Sadly, he was right, while his posthumously released track 'Borrowed Time' even contained the line 'living on borrowed time without a thought for tomorrow'.
Lennon may have been eluding to his imminent passing throughout his career but as for killer Chapman, the American was handed a 20 years to life sentence, with the 70-year-old facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison.
Despite his apologies to Lennon's family and fans, the parole board said he lacked 'genuine remorse or meaningful empathy' for his crime, meaning he will be ineligible for parole until 2027.
Joshua Nair