Besides being my grandfather's birthday, today marks the date that John Lennon was shot and killed outside of his New York apartment. I comemorate this date every year to pay tribute to a man who contributed so much talent to the world of Rock-n-Roll. I truly believe that The Beatles are the greatest rock-n-roll band of all time and have influenced many musicians today. John's solo album are very comparable, but was he destined to die?

Consider this... John's favorite number was the #9 for several reasons: He was born on Oct. 9th, 1940, in Liverpool (9 letters). The band he and Paul McCartney, along with George Harrison formed was discovered by Brian Epstein on Nov. 9th, 1961. The Beatles famous appearance on the Ed Sullivan show was on Feb. 9th. John incorporated the #9 in many of his songs including Revolution and 909. He met Yoko Ono exactly 9 years after meeting Paul on Nov. 9th, 1966. John and Yoko's son was born 9 years later on John's birthday Oct. 9th, 1975. (drawing done by Lennon, of his rockstar self and his role as dad with his son, Sean)John and Yoko's street address in NY was 72nd St. (7+2=9). The DakotaThe Beatles were together exactly 9 years before their breakup.

With the #9 giving so much joy in his life it was a tragedy that the #9 also was a part of his death. Although Lennon was shot and killed on Dec. 8th, 1980, he passed away at 11:07pm (1+1+0+7=9) New York time, it was the 9th in Liverpool, his birthplace.