Tributes paid to John Lennon in Liverpool

by Natalie Evans. Published Fri 08 Oct 2010 21:00

Statue of John Lennon in Liverpool

Tributes are being paid to former Beatle John Lennon on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Fans in the Fab Four's home town of Liverpool turned the city's most famous Lennon statue into a shrine, adoring it with flowers, birthday gifts.

Lifelong Beatles fan, Stephanie Panucci, 36, put a 70th birthday badge and a single rose on the statue, which stands on Mathew Street near to the famous Cavern Club.

Stephanie, from Rome, said: "I have flown over from Italy especially to be in Liverpool for John's birthday.

"His death shook the world and left a huge hole which no one can fill.

"Being in his home city makes me feel close to him and I felt it was only fitting to bring him a birthday gift."

A peace monument dedicated to the musician will also be unveiled by Lennon's eldest son Julian in the city centre's Chavasse Park.

The 18ft monument, entitled "Peace & Harmony", was commissioned by the Global Peace Initiative and created by American artist Lauren Voiers.

Sculptor Lauren was asked by Julian to incorporate within the monument�s design, a white feather - which is a symbol of both his father's spirit and of peace.

Julian explained: "One of the things my father said to me was that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok, it was by, in some shape or form, presenting me with a white feather."