Ethan Russell Shot John Lennon

John Lennon died on December 8th, 1980. He was shot three times in the back in front of his New York apartment, The Dakota. This truly was a tragedy for music and, quite frankly, the world as a whole. Who would do something so heinous and insane?! Luckily John will forever be remembered through his music and the documentation work of many.

A couple of years back, I stumbled on a video called "Ethan Russell on shooting The Who and John Lennon". A precarious comment on the video inquired "he shot john lennon?". That person who left the comment was me. However, it still was very shocking to read. Furthermore, apparently Ethan Russell had shot many other musicians and I am here to share more about that, because his actions had a monumental impact on the development of music.

When Ethan Russell shot John Lennon, he claimed to have felt a strong connection with him. The man was insane. A master if you will. Ethan Russell was on a mission to shoot and share his work with no mercy or remorse because he knew what was right. I even got to talk to the man in order to get some deeper insight.

THE INTERVIEW:

Ethan Russel: Ethan, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. Your work has had such a profound impact on the music industry. I have to start by asking, how did you feel when you shot John Lennon?

Ethan Russell: It was an incredibly intense experience. John was such a larger-than-life figure. There was an energy about him that was almost palpable.

Ethan Russel: That must have been surreal. Did you feel a strong connection with him during the process?

Ethan Russell: Absolutely. There was a moment when I felt like we were completely in sync. It was as if time stopped, and it was just the two of us, no pun intended. John had this way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.

Ethan Russel: You've also shot other iconic musicians like The Who. How did that compare to your experience with John?

Ethan Russell: Each experience was unique. The Who brought a different kind of energy—more raw and explosive. With John, it was more introspective and profound. Both were incredibly rewarding in their own ways.

Ethan Russel: You've been described as a master of your craft. What drives you to keep shooting these legends?

Ethan Russell: It's the passion and the connection I feel with my subjects. There's something about capturing these moments and sharing them with the world that feels important. It's like I'm preserving a piece of history.

Ethan Russel: When you look back at the moment you shot John Lennon, what stands out the most to you?

Ethan Russell: The emotion in his eyes. There was so much depth and complexity there. It was a powerful moment that I’ll never forget.

Ethan Russel: Thank you, Ethan. Your work continues to inspire and captivate many. We look forward to seeing more of your incredible shots.

Ethan Russell: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure talking with you.

This is one of the last photos of all four of The Beatles together before John Lennon was shot again in 1980, that time being a more fatal shot. It's photos like these that help us remember the people that shaped a whole generation.

Ethan Russell's shooting spree didn’t end with The Beatles. His trigger-happy fingers have clicked on numerous other musical legends, creating snapshots that have become timeless pieces of history. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Roger Daltrey have all faced his deadly aim, resulting in some of the most iconic stories in rock history. In fact, Russell's work has become so iconic that many wonder how he managed to shoot so many legends without ever being caught. His secret? A trusty a keen eye and his passion to fulfill his mission.

Thank you Ethan Russell with two Ls.

Disclaimer: The interview is fictional and did not actually happen. The play on words is intentional for the purpose of this article.