Lennon Fans ‘Imagine’ Him on 50th Birthday

John Lennon’s worldwide message of peace was delivered today as his song “Imagine� was played simultaneously by radio stations for 1 billion people in 130 countries to celebrate what would have been his 50th birthday.

“A dream we dream alone is only a dream, but the dream we dream together is reality. Happy birthday, John. The world is better today for sharing a time with you,� his widow, Yoko Ono, said at a U.N. ceremony before the playing of “Imagine.�

The slain former Beatle himself issued a call for harmony in a taped message that served as an introduction to the music.

“We all want peace, whatever sort of job we have. . . . Think of your children. Do you want them to be killed or don’t you? And that’s the choice we have in front of us. War or peace,� said Lennon, whose son, Sean, turned 15 today.

In Hollywood, about 50 people--some holding candles and others carrying birthday balloons--stood near Lennon’s star on the Walk of Fame on Vine Street near the Capitol Records Building and listened to the “Imagine� broadcast at 7 a.m.

Peacenik Jerry Rubin planned to join other activists later in the day for a 1960s-style “Give Peace and Our Environment a Chance� celebration at the trendy Spice nightclub on Hollywood Boulevard.