NYC VIBE Celebrates

John Lennon’s Birthday

at Strawberry Fields

October 2018 – He may have been a Beatle from Liverpool England…But John Lennon called New York City his home. On the occasion of what would have been his 78th birthday, almost 40 years after his untimely passing, a choir of school children from PS 22 in Graniteville, Staten Island celebrated the life and artistry of John Lennon in song.

John Lennon spent the final, and some say happiest, years of his life at the Dakota on 72nd Street and Central Park West. After his death in 1980, the city of New York Central Park Conservancy created “Strawberry Fields” named after the famous Lennon composition – The site is a popular tourist attraction for Beatles fans of all ages.

Local New York City musicians have been joining together to sing Lennon’s songs at the Strawberry Fields mosaic since the memorial opened. On this momentous occasion, the musicians and fans gathered to join in with the PS 22 Chorus to sing timeless Beatles songs.

At the request of John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, the PS 22 Choir Performed John’s anthem of world peace and unity “Imagine”. Though Yoko was not able to attend on this day, she recently re-released John’s “Imagine” album through Universal Music to inspire a new generation.

The PS 22 Choir has performed with such notable artists as Carrie Underwood and Rihanna. They have also appeared on Oprah, at the Academy Awards, and at the Obama White House. But on this day, PS 22 was the sound of new York City paying homage to one of its greatest residents whose music continues to bring hope to the world….John Lennon!