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Few celebrities have had such an impact on pop culture as former Beatles member John Lennon. The band broke records during its decade-long existence in the 1960s before Lennon embarked on his solo career with his wife Yoko Ono by his side.

Lennon was shot dead at age 40, on December 8, 1980 in Manhattan, NY. Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his murder and is eligible for parole next year.

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As the art world celebrates the life of former Beatles member John Lennon on the 35th anniversary of his death, we at The Gazette pulled photos of his visits to Montreal. Here are a few facts, memories and treasures from our archive library.

1. Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed in rooms 1738, 1740, 1742 and 1744 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel.

Photo by Montreal Star

2. Former Canadian politician Allan Rock asked Lennon to attend a “Peace conference” after his Montreal bed-in in June 1969 at the University of Ottawa with a promise to meet Prime Minister Trudeau. Problem is, Trudeau wasn’t home when they dropped by.