The Los Angeles December 8 Vigil

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Photos Courtesy of Harold Sherrick

Written by IK! West Coast Correspondent, Harry Bluebond

The December 8, 2000 vigil in Los Angeles, California was probably the most highly attended Lennon Vigil since I attended the first one with Jerry Rubin's Alliance For Survival on December 8, 1981. There were approximately 500 in attendance. Part of the stronger turnout was because of the:
1. 20 year time period and the recent NBC In His Life biography
2. The Beatles Anthology book
3. Beatles "1" CD virtually topping the charts
4. Jerry Rubin putting out the word to the local tv and radio networks
5. Capitol Records support

( Harry Bluebond -Right-With Friends)

I arrived just before 7 p.m. and there was a large gathering in front of Capitol Records. This is just about 50 yards or so south of John's Star location on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were broadcasting "1" over a fine sound system.

People were singing along to all those great hits (I missed "Strawberry Fields Forever" once again not being included). At around 7:50 we tried to hook up by cell phone to Central Park Strawberry Field Park and did briefly. The gal who heads up the Beatles San Diego Come Together fan club was there.

(Left: Smallest Member of "Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band)

Thereafter Capitol played a half dozen of John's great solo recordings including "Instant Karma!" - "Power to the People" - "Give Peace a Chance" - "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" - "Beautiful Boy" - and "Imagine." For the next 15 minutes or so a
 few of us spoke about our reflections and what John has meant to us. This lead to Jerry Rubin's speech. Jerry is usually not at a loss for words, but this time as he was reflecting, he was starting to break down and having trouble getting the words out regarding the horrific, insane tragedy. Right on virtual cue, if you'll allow, an instant karmic moment, a heckler rode by and screamed "John hated capitalism and he hated the C.I.A." It was screamed with some reverence and Jerry went from an almost sob to a laugh. It broke the tension.

(Right: Fans With Candles)

At 8:23 we lit the "peace flame candle" and then "Imagine" played again. It was at that point that we walked the candle from in front of the Capitol building to John's Star. People gathered and sang and "schmoozed" for hours thereafter. I left at about 10 p.m. and the camera crews were still coming.

It was a great cross-section of folks in attendance. Fans from age 10 all the way up to us AARP near-seniors.