Lennon Piano Going To Virginia Tech

John Lennon's Iconic 'Imagine' Piano to Be Photographed in Blacksburg, VA

BLACKSBURG, Va., May 25 PRNewswire —

WHAT: The famous piano on which John Lennon composed "Imagine" in 1971 is being sent to Blacksburg, Virginia, location of the Virginia Tech tragedy by musician George MichaelKenny Goss owner of Goss Gallery in Dallas and will be photographed to help promote peace in an increasingly violent world. The piano will be placed in the private garden of Virginia Tech Assistant Professor Charles Litchfield. and his partner

"Kenny and George both believe by taking the piano to Blacksburg, they hope to honor those that lost their lives, those injured and those whose lives were impacted forever by this great tragedy," said director and producer Caroline True. "Their deepest wish is to imagine a world of peace, a world without violence."

Michael and Goss plan to have the piano photographed at significant locations in the United States and across the world where horrific acts of violence have taken place. The heartbeat of the project continues in creating the opportunity to take tragedy and turn it into victory, ultimately resulting in a more peaceful world. Michael and Goss want to further strengthen the project's peaceful message, by having "Imagine" performed on the piano at each stop.

To date, photos have been taken at Dealy Plaza, site of President Kennedy's assassination, the Memphis site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, location of all of Texas' executions, the Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C., site of the death of Abraham Lincoln, the former Branch Davidian compound in Waco, TX, the site of the Oklahoma City bombing and Texarkana, AR, site of the "Phantom Killings," and West Memphis, AR, outside the courthouse where the West Memphis Three were convicted. A documentary and a book are under development with plans to donate proceeds to charity.

During the piano's stop in Olympia, WA at the home of Bill Clayton, a bi-sexual teen who committed suicide because of fear of hatred towards his sexuality, singer songwriter Steve Schalchlin played "Imagine", moving the crowd to tears.

"Being a part of this project is probably the greatest honor of my life," said Steve. "I felt honored by the sense of beauty and heartfelt community that we experienced that afternoon. The fact that we all brought forth the spirit of John Lennon, reminds us that a great man's work doesn't die just because he does."

To remember and honor the victims of the tragic events of April 16, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process. To donate, please visit http://www.vt.edu/fund/index.php or call 800-533-1144.