We came together all over the world... and at The Coffee Mill too!

A joyous celebration of Lennon's life and music in words, imagery, and song.

In big cities everywhere there were tributes. But Clayton wasn't to be outdone by its bigger counterparts. Friday, Dec. 8 [2000], the town was the destination of many area musicians and fans, all of whom wanted to share their love an admiration for a man whose life had touched them all in some way.

At The Coffee Mill, fans and admirers of John Lennon united not only with each other, but with fans around the world to pay homage to the late Beatle on the 20th anniversary of his assassination in New York City by a deranged gunman.

Celebrations were held Friday in cities throughout the world, including Liverpool, where Lennon was born and lived until he was 23, and New York City, were he lived with his wife Yoko Ono until his death in 1980 at age 40.

There was standing room only at The Coffee Mill on S. Lombard St., but that didn't stop anyone from smiling widely as they joined old friends, made new ones, and shared in the celebratory spirit of the evening. Outside, luminaries had been placed along the sidewalk as a memorial and a reminder of the candles — ten of thousands of them — lit by mourners following Lennon's death 20 years ago.

Inside, patrons marveled at photographs, posters, and even a large painting of Lennon which gazed out over the gathering, heightening an already palpable sense of the late star's presence. Above all, however, it was through the songs that Lennon's spirit most brightly shone.

Raleigh singer/songwriter Anthony Neff led off the festivities by reading a poem, "Who Killed John Lennon?" He then performed Lennon's "Working Class Hero," a bitter indictment of societal mores Lennon penned following the breakup of the Beatles in 1970.

The tone became very upbeat, though, as many more songs were performed through the evening, including early-Beatle classics recalling the happy innocence of a more youthful time, and many of Lennon's later, more introspective works. Vocal harmonies filled the air as people sang along.

Participating performers included: Rick Armijo, Brien Barbour, Paul Barton, Dan Bledsoe, Kenny Bledsoe, Michael Dupree, Phil Falco, Jeff Hart, Ron Hasson, Travis Holzhauser, Keith Howard, Rick Koobs, Ben McKellar and Anthony Neff.

Article originally appeared in The Clayton News Star. Written by Rick Koobs.

Top left (rotating): Various performers
Top right: Phil Falco
Above, left: Anthony Neff, Michael Dupree and friend
Above, right: Jeff Hart
Photos by Rick Koobs and Gina Moreland

JOHN LENNON Oct. 9, 1940 - Dec. 8, 1980 "Remember"