Liverpool Honors Lennon

Liverpool's Airport at Speke was officially renamed Liverpool John Lennon Airport in a ceremony today. The event marks the first time that a British airport has been named after an individual.

Along with the new name, the airport will get a statue of Lennon and a new logo. Lennon's self-portrait and the lyric "above us only sky" from "Imagine" will grace a new terminal expected to open next spring.

Peel Holdings, the company which runs Liverpool Airport, was responsible for the name change, a decision the company says was met with enthusiasm by the Lennon family and the surviving Beatles. "I am delighted that Liverpool Airport had decided to choose John's name," said Yoko Ono who was on hand for the ceremony. "John was always remembered for his sense of fun in life and I hope that John Lennon Airport will send a big smile to all corners of the world."

And after the ceremony at the airport, Ono spent the afternoon at Liverpool University where she given an honorary degree as Doctor of Law. Ono founded the John Lennon Memorial Scholarships at the University for financially disadvantaged students.

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Song Stories

“Is It True”

Brenda Lee | 1964

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."

More Song Stories entries »

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