Towards the end of his life, things were looking up for John Lennon.

Double Fantasy had just gone gold (which would go on to win the 1981 Grammy for Album of the Year); he was rekindling his relationship with his son, Julian; and was excited about his next musical endeavor with wife, Yoko.

On the morning of December 8, 1980, he signed a copy of Double Fantasy for Mark David Chapman outside Lennon’s apartment, and spent 3 hours conducting his final interview. After a post-interview studio session and meeting with his producer, he headed home that night to tuck in his 5 year old son, Sean.

Unfortunately, Mark David Chapman was still waiting outside the apartment building…and the rest is history.