Video | Fans mark John Lennon’s 30th death anniversary

John Lennon was shot dead by Mark Chapman in front of his wife outside the Dakota building in New York, two months after his 40th birthday.

Leading the remembrance, his wife Yoko Ono called for Lennon to be remembered "with deep love and respect".

The world was still learning from his messages of peace, she said.

"In his short-lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world," she said. "The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today."

The focus of tributes in the UK will be in Lennon's birthplace Liverpool, where hundreds of people are expected to attend a vigil.

The fans are planned to gather in the evening to light candles and sing songs around the Peace and Harmony monument in Chavasse Park.

The monument was unveiled earlier this year by Lennon's former wife Cynthia and their son, Julian, and dedicated to the singer.

"This will be a very emotional evening, not only for our family, but I'm sure it will be a very special night for the other performers on stage and for the audience, as we all unite in our love for John and his wonderful, immortal music," the singer's half-sister, Julia Baird, said.