Memorabilia and photos are displayed at the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Memorabilia and photos are displayed at the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Paul Casey speaks by the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Las Vegas City Councilman Brian Knudsen speaks by the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Jennifer Joseph Lier performs at the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Jennifer Joseph Lier performs at the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Kimberly Brent performs at the "Abbey Road Crossing" on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas to mark the 40th anniversary of John Lennon’s murder on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
John Lennon is continually honored in downtown Las Vegas at the Abbey Road Crossing on Fremont East. The 40th anniversary of his death was marked at that location Tuesday night, with performances of “Imagine” and “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” and a presentation of Lennon and Beatles memorabilia.
“Imagination is the message, and that is what Las Vegas is about,” said promoter Paul Casey, who organized the street-side celebration. “This is inspiring, and inspiration leads to hope, and hope leads to love.”
Vegas vocalists Kimberly Brent and Jennifer Joseph Lier performed “Imagine” and “Happy Christmas,” respectively, just adjacent to the freshly painted crossing. Items put out on the sidewalk included authentic clothing; and signed clothing, photos and instruments. Las Vegas Ward 1 Councilman Brian Knudsen, who sings “Blackbird” to his son every night, presented Casey with a proclamation honoring him and the event.
(John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Casey returns to the site to mark Beatles-relevant anniversaries and moments. He staged a similar celebration five years ago for Lennon’s 75th birthday, and for the crossing’s renovation in August.
“When you experience life, you experience perfect moments,” Casey said. “This is a perfect moment.”
