Ringo Starr's heartbreaking words when he learned about John Lennon's death

The Beatles drummer opened up about the devastating phone call he received in December 1980 while in Barbados and how he reacted to the news of John Lennon having been shot

It's been 45 years since a fan fatally shot John Lennon outside his New York home, and fans are just now looking back on the moment Ringo Starr opened up about finding out about the shooting for the first time.‌

John Lennon was shot on December 8, 1980, in the entrance of his Manhattan residence, with the Beatles legend declared dead upon arrival at hospital after being rushed there in a police vehicle. The musician was leaving his home alongside wife Yoko Ono when gunman Mark David Chapman seized his chance to attack the star, later citing Lennon's controversial remark about the Beatles being 'more popular than Jesus' as his primary motive. Chapman received a life sentence and continues to serve his time behind bars to this day.‌

The assassination sent shockwaves across the globe, particularly affecting his former Beatles bandmates, who have subsequently spoken openly about losing their dear friend.‌

During a 1981 interview with Barbara Walters, Ringo Starr recalled the devastating moment he learnt of John's shooting through a telephone conversation with his wife Barbara Bach's daughter, Francesca Gregorini, while they were holidaying in Barbados.

"And so, that drove me crazy," Ringo explained, adding his initial assumption was that John had sustained injuries to his leg or arm. "And then, they came back and they said, he's uh, he's dead."

The drummer disclosed he immediately arranged flights to New York to support Yoko, who requested they spend time with her and John's son Sean, asking them to 'keep him busy'. Ringo then requested they 'stop it there' as he visibly found discussing the traumatic experience difficult, admitting it 'always makes me upset' when reflecting on the tragic shooting.

He went on to reveal the final time he'd encountered John was on November 15, weeks before the assassination, describing how he'd been residing at the Plaza in New York when John arrived with Yoko for a visit after they hadn't met for some time. ‌

"And we had such a great time, cause they stayed five hours. And it didn't matter it was a year between we didn't see each other, it was always fine when we did," Ringo said.  Further into the conversation, Ringo simply stated: "I'm really sad. I still miss John a great deal, I'll always miss him, you know. But it's still brand new."

Source: Alice Sjoberg/liverpoolecho.co.uk

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