John Lennon’s 75th birthday to be marked Friday in Hollywood

Los Angeles will join several cities worldwide hosting events on Friday to commemorate what would have been John Lennon’s 75^th birthday.

Southland fans will gather at Lennon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for an event starting at 6 p.m. to be emceed by Chris Carter, host of the long-running “Breakfast with the Beatles” radio show.

Live performances will feature soprano Shayne Dalva and Pakistani musician Tee-m, aka Tariq Mirza, underscoring the global reach of Lennon’s music with the Beatles and as a solo artist.

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City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell will present of a “John Lennon Peace Day” resolution from the council, and other speakers will include veteran Los Angeles radio personality Jim Ladd, KCSN-FM (88.5) deejay and Beatles aficionado Les Perry and Times pop music writer Randy Lewis.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in front of the Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, 1750 N. Vine St.

Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, will be in Reykjavik, Iceland, to light the Imagine Peace Tower built in memory of her husband, who was killed in 1980.

“I hope the Imagine Peace Tower will give light to the strong wishes of World Peace from all corners of the planet,” Ono said in a statement. “And give encouragement, inspiration and a sense of solidarity in a world now filled with fear and confusion. Let us come together to realize a peaceful world.”

Live coverage from the site in Iceland will be carried daily at ImaginePeaceTower.com starting Friday and continuing through Dec. 8, the anniversary of Lennon’s death.

Other celebrations will take place in Lennon’s hometown of Liverpool, England, as well as London, New York and Tokyo.

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