Paul McCartney has shared a heartfelt message on what would’ve been his late bandmate and friend John Lennon’s 80th birthday.
On Friday 9 October, the Wings musician posted a black and white throwback photo of the pair smiling while working on a collaboration as McCartney puts pen to paper in the snap.
“I love this picture, it reminds me of the bond between us,” the Beatle wrote on Instagram. “Happy 80th John. Love Paul.”
Read more: Elton John says John Lennon could’ve won Nobel Peace Prize
Lennon was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on 8 December 1980 at the age of 40 in New York City.
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McCartney has recently expressed relief at having reunited with Lennon before the latter’s untimely death.
The pair had fallen out when The Beatles split in 1970 but went on to reconcile.
In BBC Radio 2 documentary John Lennon at 80 while in conversation with Sean Ono Lennon, McCartney said: “I always say to people, one of the great things for me was that after all The Beatles rubbish and all the arguing and the business, you know, business differences really… that even after all of that, I’m so happy that I got it back together with your dad.
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“It really, really would have been a heartache to me if we hadn’t have reunited. It was so lovely too that we did and it really gives me sort of strength to know that.”
Read more: John Lennon’s killer apologises to Yoko Ono
Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono also celebrated her husband’s birthday as she shared a video of the Empire State Building lighting up in honour of the occasion.
The New York City landmark was lit up in blue with a white peace sign to commemorate Lennon.
Watch: John Lennon remembered by sister Julia on his birthday