The global birthday celebrations also included a performance by his widow Yoko Ono in Reykjavik, Iceland. In New York, Lennon's original band The Quarrymen headlined a tribute concert and fans gathered to remember the icon in Central Park.
Unveiling the statue, Julian said: "We come here with our hearts to honour dad and pray for peace and say thank you to each and every one of you and everybody involved in the celebrations today." The onlookers also included original Beatles drummer Pete Best, who said the statue "captures all the aspirations" of Lennon. Lennon himself would have been "quite bemused" by the ceremony, he said.
In The Sale Room - An auction of Michael Jackson memorabilia has fetched more than $1m (£626,000) in Macau, China. A basketball autographed by the late singer and former player Michael Jordan netted $245,000 (£153,000) at the Hollywood Legends sale. An unidentified online bidder paid $180,000 (£113,000) for a black crystal-studded glove Jackson wore in a video shoot for the 1995 album HIStory.
Property Matters - The country estate made famous by Sir Paul McCartney's song Mull of Kintyre has been put up for sale. The 7,360-acre Carskiey Estate forms the Mull of Kintyre, which former resident McCartney sang about with Wings in the 1977 hit song. Now the estate, which includes the Edwardian Carskiey House and nine miles of coastline, has gone on the market. Estate agents Strutt & Parker are seeking offers over £2.95m.
Farewell - Dame Joan Sutherland, one of the greatest operatic sopranos of the 20th Century, has died in Switzerland at 83. The Australian star, who retired from the stage 20 years ago, had been in poor health following a fall. Dame Joan made her debut at London's Covent Garden in 1952, going on to appear in productions around the world and making numerous recordings. Her family said in a statement: "She's had a long life and gave a lot of pleasure to a lot of people."
And Adieu - US soul singer Solomon Burke, who wrote the classic song Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, has died at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport aged 70. The former preacher turned singer had been due to perform at a well-known club in the city on Tuesday. The self-proclaimed King of Rock & Soul was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and won a Grammy in 2003. Burke leaves behind 21 children and 90 grandchildren.
(Jim Evans)
