John Lennon - The Complete BBC Interview, 12/6/1980 Part 14

This is part 14 and the last part of one of the last interviews John Lennon ever gave to the media. This was recorded in the studio at The Hit Factory on 12/6/1980 and conducted by Andy Peebles for BBC Radio. This clip is particularly eery. John talks about his sense of security in New York and how people don't bother him when he's out in public and how it's such a luxury. Two days later, he would be murdered in front of The Dakota by a deranged fan.

Category:

Music

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• john
• lennon
• sean
• yoko
• ono
• the
• beatles
• julian

[dormanbenton]

I had to pause this interview and comment because when I heard that first question I was like whoa! The safety of walking down the street in NYC. As much as I know about that terrible night when I hear a references like that I'm speechless. I try not to think of the way he died but sometimes you can't help but think of it when you hear something like that. Especially two days before his assassination. He has so much character listening to this interview.

[NeilFraudstrong]

@dormanbenton

No matter what I do, I always think of John's murder. It is especially vivid in my mind when I see the early Beatle stuff like Ed Sullivan. I always see him there or doing his war protests and the image of him in death stays in my head constantly. I wish I didn't have these thoughts, but I always think about his murder whenever I see video or pictures of him. It's kind of difficult at times.

[dormanbenton]

@NeilFraudstrong Very well put. It goes through my mind too. I do try my hardest to not think of it while trying to celebrate his life through his material. I do watch those videos you post of his last days and that is all that goes through my mind seeing pictures of him. What really gets me is that last interview of 12/8/80 where somebody is awaiting downstairs with the intention to murder him. We all die and his time just came early and over a VERY stupid reason.

[NeilFraudstrong]

@dormanbenton

When I see him as John the "witty Beatle" I always think of him bleeding profusely and the cop asking him if he knows who he is. It's just horrible images that I can't seem to shake. Or when I see pre-famous photos of him or candid photographs. I always think, "He ended up murdered. He was killed and he died horribly."

I know that's a bit extreme, but with all the research I have done I just can't forget I guess. The mental images last for a long time.

[Enslaved10]

@dormanbenton He was killed by a guy who flew in from Hawaii only to kill John Lennon. This was not a random kill, this was planned! John Lennons death had nothing do do with New York.

[NeilFraudstrong]

@Enslaved10

Yes, but the point was that John said he felt safe anywhere in New York. Perhaps nowhere safer than The Dakota.

[rubyblue25]

His words are haunting...it took him 2 years to let his guard down and looked what happened. John RIP, you'll live on 4-ever.

[bishopaz]

keep em coming. keeps john alive forever.

[annaaLpool]

kinda sucks that he was finally getting his life back on track, and maturing, not just as a man, but as a father too, he wanted to make more legendary music, he was planning on returning to the UK to visit all the people he had left behind,and its crystal clear he wanted a relationship with his son Julian& his British family again... and these plans were all taken away from him. johns family,his friends, his fans and the world has been absolutely 100% robbed... Mark Chapman, you f%cking bastard!

[MG3AEH]

This photograph is the most poignoint picture of the JL portfolio; the way he's posed in the fetal position, leaning against Yoko like she is his mother, to my mind illustrates the dynamics of John & Yoko's relationship. Not that I'm a trained shrink by any means but growing up without his mother, obviously had a long lasting and profound impact on JL's life and work.

[dormanbenton]

@GlennWilsonMusic Thanks for the incite. It's kind of like dying before declared dead. I can see that being case. I just want to say...The world is a lesser place without him. His spirit lives within his music/interviews and in Yoko (LOL that is sarcasm). But yes, I credit this man for a lot of happiness.

[GlennWilsonMusic]

@dormanbenton From the interviews by the actual surgeon that I've seen, John was dead on arrival to the hospital. From the interviews with the policeman who drove him there...the policeman asked John something like, "Do you know who you are?" John nodded. However, as they continued John was silent and still. Personally, I think John died in the police car shortly after he was asked that question by the policeman. If memory serves me correctly, I think the surgeon said John had no circulation DOA

[ELIMINATORRRR]

Man i know everyone is unique but MAN! or WOMAN! which ever way you way to say i wish their were more people in this world like John Winston Lennon, RIP John we miss you in England and all the over world.

[nicestevez]

@dormanbenton i had the same reaction, had to stop for a few minutes to sort of prepare myself, it's impossible not be overcome w/emotion and terrible grief

[kb467]

Happy Birthday John

[redfenderguy]

@Enslaved10 i dont get what you meen???? john was killed by mark chapman december 8th 1980

[gunsass]

Thanks for uploading..this was fantastic

[Enslaved10]

Yeah, and if it hadn`t been for an hawaian he would probably been alive today.. That`s the irony. People blame New York for Johns death, but it was not even a new yorker that killed him, it was a guy from Hawaii who flew in like a hit man to kill John Lennon!