Yoko Ono Speaks Out on Anniversary of John Lennon's Death

On Dec. 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed at age 40 in front of his New York City home by Mark David Chapman. 

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And, on the 31-year-anniversary of his murder, Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono (who he married in 1969)  asked fans of the singer-songwriter to visit her Lennon tribute website imaginepeace.com to pay their respects.

Thousands of fans did just that, from their Twitter and Facebook feeds which linked up to the site. 

"John Lennon, a genius, a legend, but most of all, a human being who has laid the foundation for all the progressives of today. Rock on, John!," said Jayne Stahl. 

While Anne Margaret Daniel wrote, "My father woke me in the morning with the worst news a happy girl had yet heard. How I still wish it wasn't so. Thanks & love, John."

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Ono also tweeted about the relighting of Lennon's memorial in Reykjavik, Iceland.

"@IPTower IMAGINE PEACE TOWER lit tonight in Iceland in tribute to John Lennon feed: imaginepeacetower.com tribute: bit.ly/JLtribute," she said before issuing a plea, "Help Peace Industry grow! Send notes of appreciation to silent and courageous participants in the Peace Industry."

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The tower, a tall column of light projected from a white stone monument that has the words "Imagine Peace" carved into it in 24 languages, was first lit on his 67th birthday, Oct. 9, 2007. 

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As of Thursday afternoon, Ono and Lennon's son Sean had not commented via Twitter about the anniversary.