December 8 marks the 29th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon in New York City (photo by Bob Gruen)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex
76 Mercer St.
Through January 3
Timed tickets: $26.50
www.rockannex.com
It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty-nine years since John Lennon was gunned down on December 8, 1980, by Mark David Chapman in front of the Dakota, where Lennon had lived with wife Yoko Ono for much of the 1970s. Lennon and Ono had just released the album DOUBLE FANTASY to wide acclaim and appeared ready to spend more time in the public spotlight. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex looks back at this period of Lennon’s life in the exhibition “John Lennon: The New York City Years,” comprising letters, photographs, instruments, handwritten lyrics, clothing, works of art, and other memorabilia and paraphernalia collected by Ono and curator Jim Henke. While the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – a rather dubious institution to begin with – is located in Cleveland, the organization set up an annex in SoHo last December. If you haven’t heard of it or been there, you’re not the only one; it has just been announced that the annex will be closing its doors on January 3. While the Web site claims that it’s merely “concluding its stay in New York” in preparation for a tour, low interest and attendance certainly contributed mightily to the decision. Of course, the admission charge of $26.50 for advance timed tickets didn’t help. However, if you’re seeking a way to pay tribute to the Smart Beatle, checking out this exhibit isn’t the worst idea we can think of.