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SPIN Remembers John Lennon

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It’s a monumental and devastating anniversary in rock history: John Lennon was shot and killed outside his apartment building in New York City on December 8, 1980, 30 years ago today.

While SPIN didn’t print its first issue until 1985, missing out on the opportunity to cover the Beatles or John Lennon in their heyday, we did take time over the years to admire Lennon’s legacy and his influence on cutting-edge, provocative rock’n’roll.

Today, we’ve opened our archives to revisit two exclusive stories about the late Beatle. First up: an in-depth interview with Lennon conducted in 1975, which was unearthed to appear for the first time in our October 1988 issue. In it, Lennon discusses the end of the Beatles, his relationship with Yoko, meeting Elvis, and much, much more. Read it here.

Second, enjoy a piece written by the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, culled from our January 2001 issue, where Smith, another stunning talent whose life ended tragically, and far too soon, reveals his favorite Lennon songs. Read that here.

Enjoy both stories, then leave your thoughts, memories, and tributes to Lennon in the comment section below.