LIVERPOOL - She may have once been blamed by its citizens for breaking up the Fab Four but Liverpool and Yoko Ono finally made their peace yesterday as she renamed the city's airport after her late husband, John Lennon.
Unveiling a new logo featuring a famous cartoon self-portrait by the
bespectacled Beatle, his widow said she wanted Liverpool John Lennon Airport to send a "big smile to all four corners of the world".
Yoko, who has maintained rigorous control over use of her husband's image and music since he was murdered outside their New York home in 1980, had flown to Merseyside to accept the honour.
The Japanese artist was greeted by around 150 Liverpudlians as she touched down at the airport at Speke, where the Beatles were given a rapturous welcome by fans upon their return from America in 1964.
Speaking as she unveiled the logo, which represents the first commercial use of the Lennon portrait, the 67-year-old star said: "I am delighted that Liverpool has decided to name the airport in his memory .
"John always reminded us of his sense of fun and I hope that John Lennon airport will send a big smile to all four corners of the world. Thank you for remembering and loving John."
- INDEPENDENT
