With music fans around the world reflecting on the life of Michael Jackson, and sharing opinions on the tribute held in Los Angeles today, some fans’ thoughts turn to other musical legends. Global News looks at the untimely deaths of Elvis Presley and John Lennon, two of the biggest names in rock music history.
Elvis Presley
Jan. 8, 1935 – Aug. 16, 1977
Presley’s girlfriend found him dead on the bathroom floor of his mansion in Memphis, Tenn. Frantic, Ginger Alden called three of his associates, one of whom was a doctor. They were unable to revive Presley.
The Memphis Fire Department rescue unit arrived at Graceland and rushed Presley to nearby Baptist Memorial Hospital. Doctors performed CPR on the entertainer but he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m.
Medical examiner Jerry Francisco performed a three-hour autopsy on Presley and determined that he had died of heart failure. Many people pointed to a cocktail of prescription drugs as the root cause – and there have been countless reports of his liberal use of such drugs.
Hospital officials called the entertainer’s father, Vernon Presley, with the news. Half an hour later, standing on the steps of Graceland, the grief-stricken father made the announcement. “My son, Elvis, is dead …”
Thousands of fans descended on Memphis in the hours and days after his death. With crowds growing quickly, U.S. President Jimmy Carter ordered 300 National Guard troops to maintain order.
The day after Elvis died, his embalmed body was returned to Graceland for a public viewing. More than 30,000 fans paid their respects.
On Aug. 18, a modest funeral service was held in the living room at Graceland. Several celebrities attended, including Elvis’ former co-star Ann-Margret, singer James Brown and actor George Hamilton.
A motorcade of 14 white cars, one of which carried Elvis’ body, drove from the mansion to Forest Hill Cemetery. They passed thousands of fans, celebrities and journalists who lined the streets.
After someone attempted to steal his body later that month, his remains were moved to Graceland, as were the remains of his mother.
John Lennon
Oct. 9, 1940-Dec. 8, 1980
Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, were walking into the courtyard of their New York City apartment when gunman Mark David Chapman opened fire, sending four bullets into Lennon’s body. At least one of the hollow-point bullets pierced Lennon’s aorta.
Lennon staggered a few steps to the security guard’s booth and said “I’m shot” before collapsing. Police arrived a few minutes later and rushed Lennon to nearby Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
As soon as the shooting was announced on local news stations, crowds began to gather in front of The Dakota, the apartment building where Lennon lived. They recited prayers and sang his songs.
Thousands of people learned about the shooting when sports broadcaster Howard Cosell announced the news during a televised NFL football game.
The following day, Ono issued a statement saying there would be no funeral for Lennon. He was cremated on Dec. 10.
Four days later, millions of people around the world responded to Ono’s request to pause for 10 minutes of silence to remember her late husband.
The largest group, some 100,000 people, congregated in New York’s Central Park, located across the street from Lennon’s home.
Today, people pay their respects to the singer at a memorial garden in that same park. The area is called Strawberry Fields, after a famous Beatles song.
Chapman, who had waited for police to arrive at the scene of the shooting, ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. He has been denied parole several times.
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