Fans of John Lennon are being asked to submit birthday wishes, musical performances and personal thoughts on the late star’s legacy, which will join his post-Beatles recordings and be sealed until October 9 2040 – what would have been John’s 100th birthday. The musician’s widow Yoko Ono is backing the project.
She said:
“I am delighted to support this effort to help share John’s music and messages of peace and love with the children of today and tomorrow. “I know that John’s work, life and dreams will help inspire them to bring a better world for everyone. Children power!”
The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Museum in Ohio will host the time capsule dedication ceremony on October 8, the day before the iconic star – who was shot dead in 1980 – would have turned 70. Meanwhile, John’s son Julian – whose mother is the musician’s first wife Cynthia Powell – will unveil an 18ft peace monument in the singer’s memory in Chavasse Park in the ‘Imagine’ singer’s hometown of Liverpool, North West England, on his birthday (09.10.10). The sculpture is being created by California’s Global Peace Initiative, which hopes to place peace monuments on every continent and will be the statue for Europe.
Jerry Goldman, managing director of The Beatles Story which is behind the plan, said: “The decision on the site was between ourselves and suggestions from the planners. “We were looking for somewhere which was prominent and where people could congregate and lay flowers and tributes, but which could be carefully maintained and secure and cared for.” The unveiling of the statue will mark the start of a two-month celebration of the singer’s life in the city.