Pop Culture Passionistas: This Week's Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Photo by By Dondekkon

A pop star is celebrated posthumously, stars tell kids It Gets Better, and an Oscar winner raises awareness of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation in honor of his sister—here are this week's most inspirational pop culture moments.

We know it's impossible to believe, but if John Lennon were still alive he would be turning 70 years old tomorrow, October 9. And this milestone day for the legendary Beatle and peace activist is not going unnoticed. In fact, celebrations are taking place in every corner of the world. Literally.

Our favorite tribute, filmed on the street's of New York, is Ozzy Osbourne's new version of the Lennon song "How." In the video, the Prince of Darkness is wandering the streets of Manhattan clad in a floor length black leather coat carrying a bouquet of purple flowers. He looks somewhat lost while confused passersby curiously gather around until he ends up at the Imagine Memorial in Central Park. All proceeds from Ozzy's Lennon homage are going to Amnesty International.

On Saturday, Yoko Ono and son Sean Lennon will be in Iceland to perform at a peace concert featuring the Plastic Ono Band. They will also light the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik and present the biannual Lennon Ono Grant for Peace Award to four activists and writers.

Across the pond in Liverpool, John's first wife Cynthia and their son Julian will unveil the 18-foot tall Peace and Harmony Monument commissioned and funded by the Global Peace Initiative.

In the states, EMI and Capitol Records re-released Lennon's entire post-Beatles catalog—remastered as the 11-CD John Lennon Signature Box. EMI has also remastered Double Fantasy. The "Stripped Down" version scales back on the instrumentation and highlights John's vocals front and center. And the film world is premiering the movie Nowhere Boy about John in his pre-Beatles band, the Quarrymen.

In downtown Los Angeles, the Grammy Museum opened the "John Lennon, Songwriter," exhibit, which explores the words and music of the artist. And in Hollywood, fans will gather at the Capitol Records building on Saturday at Lennon's Star on the Walk of Fame.

Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has scheduled a weekend to honor the musician. Events will include a giant birthday card to be signed by attendees and a time capsule full of his solo recordings and mementos from fans to be opened in on John's 100th birthday in 2040.

New York is celebrating with a free screening of the film LENNONYC in Central Park. Meanwhile concerts featuring Lennon/Beatles cover acts are taking place in both Connecticut and Seattle.

There's something for everyone to remember the fallen Beatle, so take a moment to reflect on his legacy of peace. All we need is love.