Morning after John Lennon's murder-Howard Stern recorded on W4 (WWWW) radio Detroit-Dec. 9, 1980

The morning after John Lennon's murder, I made a recording from the radio of Howard Stern on W4 (WWWW) Detroit. It was a horrible day, now 40 years ago. It still hurts and we still miss him. Rest peacefully, John, then return to earth in another form.
This is a continuous recording, with the music cut out and a short break to flip the tape before an interview with the late Ray Coleman from Melody Maker magazine. There's also a good report from Dara Welles from The Source. I've held onto this cassette 40 years, until today.
(I have another full cassette from this morning that I will transfer sometime. It's so much more moving with the music included but youtube will not allow for that).

[@yeags1383]

Howard is speaking this at 7:08am on December 9th 1980. I was born at 6:23am. I was 45 mins old. RIP John Lennon.

[@mariamalik4810]

Have a great life. X

[@SpiritsOfAnotherDay]

@Sam Smith It’s actually Eastern Standard Time, Sam.

[@derekdash2179]

I was almost two here...

[@yeags1383]

@@YourName-jm7lz ok

[@glamdolly30]

Life goes out, and life comes in. May you leave the world a better place, as John Lennon did. X

[@bert9596]

Man Howard really sounded so compassionate and down to earth here. What a fucked up loss still over 40 years later💔

[@reddoor6114]

My dad was in prison and said there were hardened criminals just crying and hugging each other...it must have been really surreal

[@Imnottapinata]

Lol

[@adrianhallich6101]

@@Imnottapinata thanks for that well thought out and insightful, well put together and pensive viewpoint. Really makes one think think.

[@clicheguevara5282]

@@Imnottapinata Lmaooooo

[@Imnottapinata]

@@adrianhallich6101 No sweat, Bubba

[@redriderbbgun8018]

I think they were hugging and crying for other reasons...if you know what I mean 😲

[@Julieglam3]

Our family was notified on Dec 2nd that my older brother had died by suicide the previous day. Then that same week we all heard about John Lennon. My brother loved John. It was the saddest shittiest week of my life. RIP Bobby. RIP John....💔

[@hamilcross]

i wish you well julie. one of my favorite musical artists and a family member of mine died within a day of each other last year, it was absolutely devastating. i know you’ll see your brother again one day and maybe if you’re lucky you’ll get to see john too… 💗

[@dianeo]

Horrible day. I had just gotten home from a late shift at work, had a snack and settled down to watch The Tonight Show. Got the news. Sobbed and then threw up. Still hurts.

[@evelynelessard5275]

I wasn't even born on this day but listening to it makes me wanna cry so bad

[@Oceanofreak666]

To think Howard was only 26 years old.

[@RTA6226]

So was I on that awful day! 😥😭

[@lorimaloney6186]

I was only 18...what a horrific moment in time We all headed over to the Dakota...so much sadness and disbelief 😢

[@stevetrivago]

Terrible..I was 10 and I remember... Always a different vibe when thinking about John being taken from this world... It was the tragic way it happened..... He was just an innocent living legend... Most never truly hit the legend status.. especially while living

[@sirblake406]

How old was he when he started working in radio?

[@nickhueper2906]

He always has sounded the same 😂

[@johncurtis7186]

I bet that Howard could have never imagined, he’d one day interview Paul and Ringo. This is a great find. Thank you!

[@Simonellistitches]

Not only interview but actually be able to consider Paul a friend, absolutely amazing 🙏🏻❤️

[@maxxxmodelz4061]

It's amazing. I never knew this clip existed. I knew Howard was always a HUGE Beatles fan, especially of John Lennon, but I had no idea he was on the air during this. This is gold. I wonder if Howard himself has this clip?

[@MissAstorDancer]

@Maciej WrOtEk wow, what an idiotic comment.

[@MissAstorDancer]

@Maciej WrOtEk Do you know Howard?

[@chrisshoemaker67]

@Maciej WrOtEk I was 13 years old and I never met John Lennon. But that night was the first time I ever cried over anyone's death. I never knew anyone that died. Here was a man who all he cared about peace and love, and he just finished up his first album in years and I loved it, then I got into all his solo stuff. He was a true Working Class Hero. I cried and I didn't know why? He didn't deserve to go out like that at 40 years old.

[@kennethlatham3133]

That was a shitty month when that happened. One minute we were a happy world, the next we were violated; ruined. My girlfriend and I were watching TV, Johnny Carson's monologue, and this voice interrupted to loudly blurt out, "This is a special report from NBC News---former Beatle John Lennon is dead." My girl and I just sat there staring at the TV, listening to the reports, the commentaries, the Beatles tunes, for hours. We didn't even look at each other. We could feel the dream bleeding out of our hearts. A real sock in the gut. That turd shot all of us.

[@veegee916]

It's funny how one insect can damage so much grain.

[@kennethlatham3133]

@@gingergia4169 Thank you. I went there and relived it. That's exactly as is I remember it; I was 23. Then I switched over to this life.

[@cult_of_odin]

Only good commie is a dead commie.

[@zyxmyk]

that's where i heard it! they said: "this is an NBC News bulletin" and i thought they were going to say the soviet tanks rolled into Poland to crush "Solidarity" ( i think was the name of the union that became an uprising, lech Walesa. then it said "former beatle jon lennon is dead." it was so out of the blue. i thought, "plane crash" but no, he was murdered by a fat blob. the next morning i woke up and rolled over and flipped on my tv and it was the Today Show and the host said, "One of the world's great entertainers was killed last night" and i thought, it's true.

[@kennethlatham3133]

@@zyxmyk It was "Solidarnosc". Thanks for sharing your story of discovery. Share the pain, it's good.

[@timmckeown1313]

Disorienting, disturbing and devastating loss. Still felt to this day.

[@shuddupeyaface]

Me too. Ahhh well. We all shine on XX

[@pdmel9887]

I was pregnant and mourned so much that I was afraid it would affect my baby. It was like a light went out in our world.

[@ajbianchi85]

Crazy to hear Howard talk like this about someone. Understandable because I feel the same way about John Lennon today and I was born in 85

[@MissLachine]

You can hear the sadness in Howard’s voice 😞

[@pandorafox3944]

The anger too.

[@taco2947]

@Nick Joseph Sounded like that to me too.

[@frankyflowers]

the audio is slowed down.

[@cult_of_odin]

Oh BS. He is fake actor. He didn't care and who would? A good commie is a dead commie and Hamptons Howie has become a commie.

[@lennonslemons4934]

@@cult_of_odin👉 Perry's a commie.👈

[@kenscar]

This recording is historic. It's crazy to hear Howard giving weather and traffic reports throughout the show - something we know now that he despised doing. And he was making fun of Yoko even back then! Crazy. So glad you had the foresight to record this, and share it here. Thanks.

[@rightchordleadership]

Fascinating historical document.

[@jonalexdennis]

As sad today as it was then, utterly heart breaking. I was 8 and living in Liverpool, the whole city was in shock and tears. We couldn’t understand how somebody took Our John.

[@constantinmaris1291]

Sf kd

[@frankcastle5294]

We felt the same here in Pennsylvania and the shock lasted right thru Christmas and the New Year. Yet more of senseless American violence.

[@dailyflash]

I was 14 and a nerd level Beatles fan. I cried a lot when we lost him. I still do.

[@Strive1324L]

I was 14 too, at school in the morning waiting to go to class, a fellow student came running saying Lennon was shot. Everything stopped.

[@coonagh1]

I was 13, woke up( in Limerick, Ireland)and went to school absolutely devastated. My Dad told me over breakfast. We were huge Beatles fans. I’m still sad about it too.

[@lacm64]

I was 16, my mom bought me Double Fantasy to help, I was so sad. I watched it on TV, holding my infant sister. Just such a shock

[@jonnysupreme]

"And for no particular reason at all, somebody shot him." - Forrest Gump

[@bigrick4030]

🥺

[@joelbizzell1386]

"...when he was on his way home to see his little boy."

[@glamdolly30]

There was a reason all right - the loser who pulled the trigger on John Lennon four times wanted a meaningful connection to a cultural icon. And murdering him was the only possible way he could achieve it. John Lennon was killed by American gun culture, which he had passionately and courageously condemned. The gun lobby argues guns do not kill, people do - but that is disingenuous. Guns give inadequate, malevolent individuals immense and immediate power to take life that no other means can match.

[@joelbizzell1386]

@@glamdolly30 Alright, simmer down. I agree. But it's a quote from a movie. Let's not shoehorn politics into _everything._ Even if it's politics I agree with. 😅

[@glamdolly30]

@@joelbizzell1386 Simmer down? What a dull, pointless little post.

[@cosmicb699]

Still hits hard after all these years. Miss you John rip

[@Karenann0313]

Right? We will never get over it..

[@petrslivinski7481]

Definitely hits me hard like a brick falling from the sky.

[@Imnottapinata]

He can’t beat up women anymore damn

[@petrslivinski7481]

@@Imnottapinata Never read nor heard of him beating up women. Who, what, and when did this happen?

[@codyscards6698]

@@petrslivinski7481 you see, he admitted to slapping his first wife once and zoomers have decided that he is the devil and boomers are pathetic and evil for caring about everything else he did for the world. Sad

[@4409eliot]

listening on dec. 30, 2020 and it still seems like yesterday

[@Sammybizness]

Imagine Howard having John Lennon on his show.

[@diffusewings4937]

Oh my God, for real Honestly he would have loved his humor and the omg I wish 😭

[@weebgrinder]

Couple of freaks lol ...in a good way

[@KeizerHedorah]

What's fucked up, is that it is really easy to imagine what it would be like and how awesome it could've been.

[@kelvendyson1508]

He would've had to on his show an entire week!! Too many questions and answers!!

[@MrJacMac1968]

He would have liked Howard

[@Grandizer8989]

Howard is at his best during times of sadness. His broadcast during 9/11 should be considered for the National Archives.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

I was crushed. Totally crushed.

[@jfktoffee1878]

Crazy but I (you) am...

[@ahmetozcelik7627]

I can't believe that i'm listening this recording. This is a fucking treasure. It's so great to hear feelings of people about Lennon's death at the time. Thank you. And i would love to hear this with the songs. Without any cuts.

[@marksovel127]

It has much more impact with the songs included, but youtube would block the video, so I put it up this way.

[@AlmostReady504]

and this is like reliving it all over again 40 years later

[@cult_of_odin]

It's OK to kill communists.

[@ROOKTABULA]

I remember how it fucking crushed me when I heard it on the radio. First time I cursed all the guns in Amerika.

[@ThoseBackPages]

@@marksovel127 were they Lennon tunes?

[@dbmartingroupmusic]

I randomly lived in Detroit for one year of my life. It was this year. I was getting ready for school, my senior year, hearing this broadcast. Thanks for saving it. Posting it.

[@lindalicata8303]

Taken away from us too soon. There has to be a Rock and Roll Heaven somewhere. John and George are there. God Bless you. RIP. Linda

[@michaelwinter6539]

And bonham, Hendrick and much more, bet it sounds beautiful

[@MrJacMac1968]

Rick Wright on keyboards too.

[@MrJacMac1968]

Eddie Van Halen on guitar as well

[@Big_Sierra]

RIP Paul. 11/9/1966.

[@scorpnov13]

Maureen too

[@joshs4594]

Can you imagine if John Lennon was a guest on The Howard Stern Show? That would've been epic radio.

[@user-vp7lx8mo2f]

John Lennon would make a great guest in Howard stern.

[@KayserMatthew]

Wow. This Howard is amazing. So sincere. So empathetic. So timely.

[@scottbaylo]

@Maciej WrOtEk thank God, I really didn't think I'd find a single person to comment how unbelievably full of shit he is! It's just his usual attempt at replicating what he thinks human emotion is supposed to sound like, there's no soul in there. Believe it or not, I actually used to enjoy the show (but only because of Artie, and a few other background people)

[@gaborbanko8373]

@@scottbaylo i feel exactly the same. at the same time he's doing the celeb shit. lennon this and beatles that, but i don't feel any honesty there, just namedropping.

[@chadk890]

@@scottbaylo 🙄

[@nathanielpike2613]

I was listening to this that morning! Pre-fame, Stern was a quirky morning DJ that just was gone one day when w4 changed format, and while later, he was suddenly a national star. I've often told the story of how devastated he was that morning. I am floored to run into a recording of it. Thanks for sharing!

[@psyifinotic]

20 year old here just amazed at this. Huge beatles fan. Thank you for this.

[@whatsnews6790]

Feels like it’s the morning of all over again when listening to this

[@tursiopss]

I wasnt even born but it feels like if I was there at that moment listening to this :(

[@whatsnews6790]

@@tursiopss same

[@markthompson8588]

I remember my mother crying in the kitchen on that terrible morning......I was 8 years old and I remember the pain and confusion I felt by seeing my mom cry......I left for school and walked in silence the whole way......I can remember that day like it was yesterday

[@32mybelle]

I was 6 and my memories were much the same. My mother cried and that was mostly my memory. It was early morning, and it was dark and I remember her crying and watching television.

[@750count]

Howard said we'd be talking about this the rest of our lives 40 years and counting

[@wobind72]

I was in Liverpool at the time and also 8 years old. I remember my dad crying.

[@fooddood]

that is my exact memory. my mom, the confusion... i was in the 3rd grade.

[@eddiebolt5781]

Same here. I was 10. My mom crying, just like that day when Elvis died.

[@achemnitz]

I was at home in my fathers house in Greenland. In the evening my friends and I gathered , drank wine and mourned while listening to John Lennon and Beatles.

[@Lavo68]

This is still too depressing to listen to.

[@jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj178]

I was 11, and am very conscious of the fact that I am now much older than John ever got to be. It truly marked my life.

[@BlindArthurBlake]

I was 11 also

[@nw1750]

@@BlindArthurBlake myself as well.

[@SetInStoneNow]

I was in grade nine when this happened. I'm 55 now and I still remember every minute of that day.

[@marjnussby1516]

Unbelievable loss. You can hear the grief in Howard's voice, and am glad he handled this day, in this way. I also thought it was a stunt, then the story continued....I'll never forget.

[@bbsoni4814]

"I feel I I owe nobody an apology" haha, pure Howard stern...this is great, never heard it...you can tell he's being really honestly moved by it...good piece of history

[@knockedoutloaded279]

John would have been amazing in 1981, world tour, return to Uk, Beatles reunion. new album, ringo album ...would have been one of the best years ever and John's best ever....John had his faults, but he improved himself, and his best was yet to come. Never get over it, Chapman should burn in Hell...

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

NEVER mention the name of that POS.

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

I am surprised he has survived 40 years in prison. I thought he would have been killed by now.

[@dynjarren8355]

The Creeper should have gotten the Death Penalty but NYC got rid of the it. Proof that liberalism is insane.

[@jdizzle8751]

@@dynjarren8355 I wonder if John would have advocated for the death penalty for Chapman.

[@dynjarren8355]

@@jdizzle8751 It’s hard to say. I really can’t tell. He was liberal so he’d probably be against it but you never know.

[@brianseneca3546]

I was 10 and a HUGE Beatles fan. This is the day I heard as I was in bed when Howard Cossell informed the world. I will never forget my radio turning on to wake me up for school. "A Beatle is DEAD!" I was shocked! I could see my Mom in the bathroom getting ready for work. I said "WHAT WHY?" My Mom said "There is no reason why". I lost my Mom's father my Grandfather 12 days after this. I was 10 and 1980 was in a lot of ways the beginning of the end of my childhood.

[@christianmcbrearty]

That's sad af

[@imagine1004]

First heard the Beatles in ‘64. I was 9. Followed them all into their solo careers. I was 26 on 12/8/80. Will never forget. Was watching Monday Night football when Howard Cosell announced the news. So devastating to this day. I always wonder how he would have continued to influence the planet. I felt so robbed. Just finished watching “Get Back”. It brought back all kinds of memories. 😥

[@bleep77]

Howard perfectly captured the sad state of emotion that was felt by every person on the morning of December 9, 1980. Almost 41 years later and the world is still hurting from the shocking, sudden, and senseless death of John Lennon. The world still misses and loves you, Johnny.

[@neverastraightanswer9802]

Almost 42

[@jackieweber8407]

32 yrs ago...I keep counting it over and over. I lived on Plum Island and the night of the 8th was unseasonably warm. It was a terrible, horrendous event and it traumatized many people. Whether it was 32 or 42 yrs ago it was far too soon 😢

[@gretchennelson7056]

It happened on Dec. 8, 1980, not Dec.9

[@gretchennelson7056]

@@neverastraightanswer9802He had just turned 40, a few months prior.You people might want to try getting some of the facts straight.

[@bleep77]

@@gretchennelson7056 he was killed the night of December 8. The show aired the morning of December 9 when everyone woke up to the sad news.

[@michaelcastro6731]

Thank you for sharing this. I was sixteen and still remember the front page news of John Lennon's passing. A photo of him signing an autograph for his assassin Chapman. Here in England, we didn't get the news until the next morning. The radio played The Beatles and John Lennon songs all day. Like Buddy Holly's death for me, December 8th 1980 was the day the music died.

[@Honkytonkified]

I still wish it wasn't true. I took his life for granted. Now I'm remembering and searching for what I missed and still can learn about John's confidence about love being humanity's answer. I'm appreciating Yoko for making him happy and letting him be John. Their last interview illustrated an honest humble couple. In the light of their contribution to our planet, if anyone was worthy of being arrogant, they were.

[@rbishop95]

This is great. Thanks so much for sharing. Glad you recorded this

[@marksovel127]

I'm glad too. Thanks.

[@JohnVullo]

@@marksovel127 If you haven't yet you should try to share this with the show

[@AlmostReady504]

I had forgotten Howard was still in Detroit at the time. But it didn't matter where you were, did it?

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

His voice sounds exactly the same now

[@tnt01]

i know right. kinda weird.

[@unhappyattendantughh2469]

Depends on the recording. In high def he's very nasly back then

[@frankyflowers]

i think this is slowed down. his voice was different then.

[@frankyflowers]

@@unhappyattendantughh2469 it sounds slowed down

[@garethevans2912]

It's really interesting to hear Howard Stern's thoughts about John Lennon's tragic murder the morning after it happened. Very poignant and timely.

[@geoffhopwood1644]

I was eating breakfast in a bed sit in Skegness ....I haven’t been the same since .. I grew up listening to the Beatles il listen to them til I die ...and IF there’s a heaven first thing I’m doing is going to find John .

[@gumusluk05]

What an amazing historical find !! Stern is an extremely gifted broadcaster. I was 14, I walked into my technical drawing class that morning and was told a Beatle had died, I'll never forget that moment

[@cult_of_odin]

Nothing wrong with forget a dead pinko.

[@markknopflerisnot]

Thank you Howard for this moving tribute......40 years later, your monologue will still bring a lump to the throat and tears when we recall this terrible and tragic event

[@terribleTed-ln6cm]

The killing of John Lennon taught me the world IS NOT a good place.......still pissed after all these years.

[@nobodyspecial9035]

I could listen to Howard’s Detroit broadcasts all day. He’s such a good interviewer and I find his voice comforting.

[@ShuckleLord]

Same!!

[@leventahmed82]

I live in Detroit, didn't know he was a DJ here locally. I was 15 at the time .

[@BeeKay5150]

@@leventahmed82 it seems few did. W4 was in its dying days, WRIF was having a renaissance, WLLZ had just signed on and was kicking ass, ans WABX was starting to fade away. I'm glad he has this tape of Stern from W4, as there doesn't seem to be much from Detroit radio in this period, it just sucks it has to be about the death of Lennon.

[@duncanmccallum2324]

@@BeeKay5150 One of the best bits he did on W4 was trying to find out what happened when John Bonham died and was calling Scotland Yard.

[@louisea6109]

Heartbroken again and again looking back to this horrible situation back in 1980. We lost a young poet with an angels voice. Noone like John, noone x

[@pennylaneaidan7087]

Was working in a factory in Liverpool we all joked around every day then one morning you could hear a pin drop nobody said a word till lunchtime, I will never forget October 1980 John Lennon legend.

[@hardtohandleweddingbandent8653]

October?

[@nervo6321]

You can hear the emotion in Howards voice...brings it all back...

[@douginny]

Truly a historic broadcast.

[@justinstokes8025]

Wow this is the oldest Howard clip I’ve ever heard... amazing. I was 2 months old. I just turned 40.....

[@westfield90]

It still hurts like it did that Monday night 40 years ago,

[@danielmcgarel5105]

I’ve never heard Howard this troubled.

[@mcndogg]

He sounded more troubled when he was on live during 9/11

[@DukeFame88]

I was 9 when this happened. I remember the radio stations playing nothing but tributes to Lennon/ Beatles for weeks. My older brother recorded every radio tribute he could. I listened to those cassette tapes non stop for years.

[@ellonysman]

Even though we are not his family, friend or have ever even met him....the band was a part of everybody's life. Thus the way we still feel.

[@MeeMee-gz5vp]

I’ll never forget this day. Saddest day ever.

[@exitstay1955]

Saddest day ever? Lmao

[@rustymertz]

I’m sure the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would agree.

[@soundbreak7]

@@rustymertz nah their saddest day was when their government refused to surrender

[@Burtifly]

@@soundbreak7 or the day someone dropped a bomb on them while those families just where living their lives.

[@Burtifly]

@@exitstay1955 the saddest day in his experience.

[@stephenmartinez9355]

Lennon will always live in our hearts, minds, and collective consciousness.

[@keefwins04]

Not mine.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@@keefwins04 Go away.

[@squiddywiddy0762]

@@keefwins04 why are you watching this then?

[@nigelmurphy6761]

Indeed.

[@lennonslemons4934]

@@keefwins04why are you in the comment section then???

[@Bea-td2ev]

Wow, this is amazing, thanks Mark!

[@marksovel127]

It is, Thank you.

[@nousinosegoesfrogvlogdabyo5313]

oh god i thought...

[@BeeBumper]

Sh1t I thought you thanked Chapman....

[@lauradaly8020]

This is the quietest I have ever heard Howard Stern at any time.

[@tlpricescope7772]

I was in sixth grade when he died. The school was solemn and some of my friends were crying. We were born at the end of the Beatles, and he had so much significance to us.

[@duckydrummer6331]

Wow, this is really cool. Howard never talks about the time he was on the air talking about John Lennon's death.

[@GarethE94]

There’s a good chance he doesn’t remember. Given the grieving and running of emotions I wouldn’t be surprised if he forget a lot of the short period immediately after

[@gustavefrankfurter6462]

I was asleep in bed and I suddenly woke up shortly after 11:15 with a very strange feeling. I went back to sleep and a few hours later I was on my way to school. The radio played two Beatles songs, then the DJ said what happened. I burst into tears! I couldn't go to school that day. 41 years later, and I still cry! RIP John! 😢

[@potteryplayground9875]

Love this! Such an incredible piece of rock history. I will never forget this awful day. To hear Howard talk about it as it happened is just cathartic. Especially as he interviews Paul so much today. They’re FRIENDS now! I LUV U, John! Forever!

[@maggie7843]

Thank you so much for posting this. ❤️ It was a year before I was born. This is a time capsule that helps me understand what it was like to live through this tragedy. Howard is such a Beatles fan. I could hear the pain in his voice. Wow.

[@debbiemccarthy3864]

I was 15 when he passed .. still sad to this day 💔🥲

[@davidford7064]

So was I,no words can describe the grief.

[@debbiemccarthy3864]

@@davidford7064 no none 🥲💔

[@joannehughes5249]

Yeah I was 15 too. Pretty devastated when I heard down here in NZ, wish I had been born earlier so I could have seen them in concert. But yeah cried my eyes out

[@jaysmith3095]

I had just turned sixteen. Nothing was ever the same again.

[@basking_in_it]

Hard to believe he's been gone as many years as he lived. 😔

[@macksblog]

My thoughts exactky, recently.. Unbelievable.

[@cult_of_odin]

The world is always better off with one less commie.

[@lukaz3336]

@@cult_of_odin grow up

[@lindaslattery8341]

@@cult_of_odin 🤡🤡🤡

[@belasgirl6]

I was 10 years old, watching Monday Night Football with my dad. My only thought was, I just started to get to know your music. I began listening to the Beatles, after finding some albums when I was 8. Nevertheless, tears down my face. I'm 50 now, that memory is embedded in my brain.

[@ShieldsUp4]

I was also 10 at that time... will never forget it either.

[@hi-jackdbcooper69420]

@@ShieldsUp4 10 years old watching Monday night football in Pasadena, California…. And I remember Howard cosel talking about the time John came up to the booth on a previous MNF.. 10 year olds..I guess that’s what we were doing ..

[@johnforeman634]

Wow, this just randomly popped up for me. I’m a daily Howard Stern show listener and it’s kind of eerie hearing this. To think this was like 41 years ago and Howard still talks regularly to this day of his love and appreciation for Lennon.

[@jorgex9789]

I was 11 years old and had started listening to The Beatles early that year. The first death that came as a shock to me. I always associate the song Just Like Starting Over with those times.

[@jamesfrangione8448]

Howard before he was “HOWARD”. Really revealing. Always a big Beatle fan. Still is. Interviewed Paul McCartney just a couple of weeks ago.

[@Big_Sierra]

“Paul McCartney”

[@Norelti1973]

Thank You for posting this. Incredible piece of history preserved as it happened. I remember feeling my world had changed forever. And it did. Still miss him.

[@johndalton3180]

WOW! This is an amazing piece of history. Thanks so much for sharing it.

[@WilhelmWilder]

Jesus, how did I not know Howard has done radio this long?

[@redmustangredmustang]

He really started in 1976 when he was 22.

[@baberoot1998]

Thanks for posting. Little gems like this recording, kept hidden for 40 years...and now shared with the whole world on KZbin, are priceless. Thanks again brother.

[@rockd7684]

@@newspapertaxis1 It’s a piece of history!

[@marksovel127]

Thanks. I've been holding onto this, and decided to make an effort to get it transferred for this 40th anniversary. Glad I did.

[@wallywalpamur4960]

@@newspapertaxis1 Try doing this as you can clearly read the title and instantly know what the story is about, Don't stop scrolling to hit play. DON'T WATCH IT

[@newspapertaxis1]

@@wallywalpamur4960 FYI..I didn't watch it!.....Why would I..Why would you..Why would anybody?......I remember this like it was Yesterday..One time thru is enough!!!! But some people like Ol' Buck hear just love to get depressed.......Now Ol' Buck why don't you go in the backyard and chew on a bone...........

[@wallywalpamur4960]

@@newspapertaxis1 ok Karen!

[@rebeccastone3301]

A devastating moment … I’ll never forget John

[@frogsterjonesiii6482]

I listened to Howard's morning show back then while getting ready for school. I lived across the river from Detroit in Canada so we got all the Detroit radio and tv. I didnt watch the news the night before so it was the first time hearing of it. I thought Howard brought the news to the listeners the best way imaginable under the circumstances. With class and dignity.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

I think it's somewhere in the Anthology series that somebody mentions his use of the word 'insecure', and how groundbreaking it was to be so verbally/openly vulnerable. And John struggled between his vulnerability and his machismo--he wasn't a perfect man, but he was honest about his experiences, to the greatest extent he could be. That's what made him unique and that strength of character galvanised millions of us to step forward and be bolder. This was a lovely tribute--thanks so much for sharing it with us. Happy Christmas--keep giving some truth!!!!

[@maryelaine-blinstrubchambe6083]

I was at work in downtown Detroit. I took a break and went to a nice stationary store and bought my Christmas cards. I picked a beautiful graphic of a dove. The card simply said "Peace".

[@patcoats]

18...sitting on my sofa, watching monday night football. cosell announces something....what the fuck? i did not believe what i heard. i must have misheard that....no fucking way!.....tears.

[@davidscott4565]

Thanks for this upload, pretty heavy stuff & really puts one back to that horrific day..... rest in peace John😔✌🏻

[@nickanddeb]

Thank you for sharing this; it’s still raw 40 years later.

[@lordbawnchie]

I'll be forty this year I can't imagine life being cut so short. Thank you for this upload!

[@214jef]

Wow. Thanks for this. Howard sounds so different; less measured, more monotone, etc.

[@SpiritsOfAnotherDay]

Listened to W4 right in that time... from Michigan, right down the street from WWWW. ✨

[@jnagarya519]

John was that rarity who never apologized for being human.

[@brianbowie2551]

Wow. I was listening to this that morning.

[@robbiebriggs9228]

Wow. It's nuts to hear this in such great quality

[@paulmcdonough1093]

I am a scouser i live near lennons childhood home menlove avenue,i was in junior school in 1980.

[@trinityhorn9265]

My grandma was 21 when john died, she couldn't believe it. Now here i am at 19, i've been a huge beatles fan for 4 years and i can't even imagine what it was like. R.i.p John Lennon

[@jetsamperes5762]

I can't believe I'm hearing this... this is how I found out that morning. W4 was my wake up station until one morning it was country. Howard Stern on W4 telling me my childhood was over.

[@quinnrollen]

He sounds genuinely distraught.

[@dynjarren8355]

That was a devastating day. I cried all day and was emotionally gutted. Being a Beatles fan since I was ten. And Lennon was the leader and wrote incredible songs which I still listen to. The only solace I have is that the music is still great and comforts me. Also, he has two grown sons who are his legacy as well. The killer failed to destroy his legacy. The music will last forever! I refuse to say his killers rotten name. He wanted fame and notoriety and I will give him neither.

[@jnagarya519]

But the murderer did take John and "The Beatles" out of the world.

[@Djvogel74]

Wow....fascinating to hear Howard in long form like this before he was famous. His voice is weird, but his views on the Beatles and John are 100% spot on. Funny to hear him say, "I'd love to have 5 minutes with Paul McCartney"....knowing he would go on to do multiple deep interviews with him.

[@PakRT48]

Dear Mark, bless your heart for sharing this 🙏🏻

[@bernardwinn1817]

Thanks for posting. I never heard this interview before. I remember that night very well I was in my early 20s. I know this is a cliché, but it’s so hard to believe it’s been 40 years because it really doesn’t seem that long ago. But he was my favorite.I will always remember him