John Lennon 70th birthday concert planned

Lennon was shot dead in New York aged 40

A benefit concert to mark the year that John Lennon would have turned 70 is to be held in New York, it has been announced.

Music stars lined-up to pay tribute to the former Beatle include Jackson Browne, Patti Smith, Cyndi Lauper and Aimee Mann.

The concert will be held on 12 November at the Beacon Theatre.

Proceeds will go to the Playing for Change Foundation, which promotes peace with music.

The show is one of several events being held around the world to honour the singer's birthday on 9 October.

Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, is expected to mark the anniversary in Iceland, where she will light the Imagine Peace Tower memorial located on the island of Vioey, near Reykjavik.

Ono's We Are Plastic Ono Band has also planned tribute shows expected to feature guests Lady Gaga and Iggy Pop in Los Angeles in October.

She will also help release eight re-issued Lennon solo albums plus new a collection of his works.

Lennon was killed outside his New York City apartment on 8 December 1980, two months after celebrating his 40th birthday.