John Lennon's Last Meal Was A New York Deli Classic

The events of December 8, 1980, the day former Beatle John Lennon was fatally shot by obsessed fan Mark David Chapman, unfolded with sad poignancy. Lennon spent his day immersed in music and life's simple pleasures. After breakfast, a haircut, a photoshoot, and an afternoon interview with Rolling Stone, Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, headed to The Record Plant (a famous music studio in New York City) to mix their song "Walking On Thin Ice." As detailed in James L. Dickerson's book "Last Suppers," before the session, Lennon enjoyed a modest meal of a corned beef sandwich and a cup of hot tea at the city's legendary Stage Deli.

Like many celebs' last meals, Lennon's final repast was consistent with his culinary inclinations. Despite global fame, he often favored comfort foods consistent with his British roots and his adopted home in New York. Corned beef, a staple in many New York delicatessens that comes from the cow's brisket, resonated with his appreciation for unassuming fare. Meanwhile, his love of tea, a quintessentially British beverage highlighted his connection to his homeland.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono moved to New York in 1971, and the city quickly became part of Lennon's post-Beatles identity, so his choice of a quintessential Big Apple deli favorite comes as little surprise. A cornerstone of New York cuisine, corned beef is a crossroads of cultures. When Irish immigrants fled their homeland for the United States during the devastating potato famine of the 1840s, they brought with them their love of the brined meat. As the Irish settled in crowded and largely impoverished New York neighborhoods with large Eastern European Jewish populations, home to many kosher delis, the immigrant communities forged strong bonds. Consequently, corned beef brisket — supplied by kosher butchers — was a potent (and delicious) symbol of unity. Often made with rye bread, the corned beef sandwich became a standard with the rising popularity of delicatessens following World War II and a beloved comfort food of New Yorkers of all stripes.

Nearly as iconic as Lennon's last sandwich is the eatery where it was served. Founded in 1937 by Russian immigrant Max Asnas, the Stage Deli, located on Seventh Avenue near Carnegie Hall, was a popular hangout for celebrities and typical New Yorkers alike. Famous for its menu of sandwiches named for show-biz luminaries and other famous figures (ranging from Clint Eastwood and Danny Devito to Dolly Parton and Madonna) as well as its contentious relationship with its arch-rival, the equally iconic Carnegie Deli, it closed in November of 2012, citing rent increases.