I Am the Walrus

An Assassination Avoided
After finishing a song at Record Plant Studios in New York, John Lennon and Yoko Ono returned to their apartment at the Dakota on December 8, 1980 at 10:50 p.m. in order for Lennon to say goodnight to his son Sean before going to bed. The couple exited their limousine on 72nd Street, with Ono walking ahead of Lennon, watched by Mark David Chapman, a man who had a record autographed by Lennon earlier, in the shadow of the archway. Ono saw Chapman out of the corner of her eye as she passed and cried out, causing Chapman to leap out of the archway and fire five times with a revolver loaded with hollow-point bullets. Lennon pushed Ono out of the way and the pair fell to the sidewalk, four of the bullets missing them with the fifth striking Lennon's shoulder. Concierge Jay Hastings called the police as the doorman wrestled Chapman (who had tried to flee the scene) to the ground. Lennon was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital in his limo, spending days there in surgery and recovery. News reporters surrounded both the hospital and the police station where Chapman was being held as the world waited in trepidation for information on Lennon's health, the tension increasing as the other three ex-Beatles visited Lennon. On December 19, Lennon exited Roosevelt Hospital, his arm in a sling, as he answered the press' questions about his almost- death and would-be assassin, saying he'd only given Chapman an autograph and hoped that Sean was not too worried. Later, Lennon debated with Ono, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Paul McCartney on how to deal with Chapman's acts; Lennon settled on charging him with assault, battery and attempted murder. This was made public news a couple days later.

Chapman's Trial
Chapman was charged and sent to Bellevue for psychiatric examination, where he was found delusional but competent to stand trial. Later, a massive group of Lennon's fans stormed the hospital in outrage, throwing stones and threatening to lynch Chapman. Police came to break up the mob, but Lennon arrived at the scene, wanting to talk to Chapman. He helped establish peace by speaking with the mob and eventually causing them to withdraw before entering the hospital to speak to his attacker. Lennon and Chapman spoke for an hour, with Lennon trying to establish why Chapman had tried to kill him. Lennon left Bellevue and briefly spoke to reporters, mentioning how Chapman seemed calm, but "there was a distinct sense that the man was completely off his chair". Lennon also mentioned how Chapman said he tried to kill him due to Lennon's perceived disrespect for both God and the Beatles and that he would plead guilty to the charge levied against him. In January, 1981, Chapman's attorney protested Chapman's decision, calling attention to his possible mental instability. However, the presiding judge found Chapman competent and, with testimony from psychiatrists, Ono and Lennon, sentenced Chapman on August 24, 1981 to 15-20 years in prison and order him to receive psychiatric care during that time. Lennon and Ono again took reporters questions outside the courthouse and spoke directly to the fans, telling them not to "get hung up on the poor sod."

"Phoenix"
Lennon's assassination attempt is forevermore known as "the Dakota Incident". Fans mark December 8 as a solemn day of reflecting on what might have been and December 19 as a day of rejoicing at the recovery of their idol. The shooting causes the Beatles to reevaluate the reason for their separation and all four agree on one last tour together, using both old and new songs. Ono is also let in on the event, healing her relations with the other Beatles and contributing some excellent material. The tour is named "Phoenix" and begins on the anniversary of the band's formation in 1984, the first venue to be played in Liverpool, England. The tour lasts for several weeks as the band plays its material, recycling their iconic outfits during the tour before playing the last run in wildly different clothing. Fans are overjoyed with the concert, praising the Beatles new songs and causing the group to make the final jump into reconstructing the band.