Fans and tourists weigh in on Lennon's legacy on the 45th anniversary of his death.

The Beatles Statue on the Waterfront, photo by Rebecca Burgess

On the 45th anniversary of John Lennon’s death residents and tourist came to pay their respects. 

Famous for his Beatles and solo music career until his sudden death at the age of 40 after he moved away from Liverpool.

In 1980, Lennon was shot by Mark Chapman outside his home in New York when he was returning from a studio session.

 The outpouring of grief from people around the world was overwhelming after his death with thousands of people outside the hospital he was in chanting his songs.

Lennon and the Beatles music still bring lots of tourism to the city. In 2016 a study found ‘the Beatles legacy adds £81.9m to the Liverpool economy each year and creates 2,335 jobs.’  

This is what people visiting the famous Beatles statue had to say about the historic event.

Mark Hay, 65, formerly of the Pete Best Band from Liverpool said: “I’m a musician too, and it just sticks in my mind, like as if it was a family member really. You know he was a great musician, and it’ll be with me like when Elvis died.”

Roy Siggery, 74, from Sussex said: “I think it’s just an era of our youth, were in our 70’s so it was that sort of time where music was everything and it was freer, John was a cult figure.”

Mike Hope, 80, said from Liverpool: “His music was absolutely fantastic, and he was a fantastic composer. He did Britain good as well, economically too with all the records he sold."

Esther Hope, 88, from Liverpool, said: “He represented everything that was good about the 60’s I thought, he made us think of other people and kindness, and his music was nice to dance too!"

Lennon and the Beatle’s legacy still largely leave an impact on scousers and tourists across the city.

By Arley Armfield, Rachel Buttery and Rebecca Burgess.