The piano played by former Beatle John Lennon just hours before he was gunned down outside his New York home has gone on show in Liverpool.

It is the first time the piano has been displayed in the home city of the world famous music legend.

Lennon's last piano was unveiled by the singer-songwriter's sister, Julia Baird, at the Beatles Story where it will be on display as part of celebrations for International Beatleweek, currently underway in Liverpool.

Previously housed in the United States and last played by the Liverpool legend hours before his death in 1980, the piano will now be on view to visitors of the Beatles Story for the next three years.

Beatles Story director Martin King said: "The piano was instrumental in Lennon's later music. He loved it so much that those closest to him renamed it as the "John Lennon Piano" due to his insistence on moving it to every studio he was working in."

The distinctive sounds of the piano can be heard on albums including "Walls and Bridges" and "Double Fantasy." Lennon even used it to compose "Fame" with David Bowie and "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" with Elton John.

The Lennon piano has also been used by other musical legends including Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Don McLean and Aerosmith.

Julia Baird said: "Liverpool is John's home and one of the most treasured instruments which he played relocates to his home city after being in America for almost a century."

"Although he is not here in person, his legacy extends across the globe. He would be so proud to see fans from all over the world flock to Liverpool to share in a piece of history," she said.

Martin King added: "I had goose bumps when I first saw the piano. It is a piece of musical history and I am delighted we can call the Beatles Story its home for the next three years. This piano helps tell the story of life after The Beatles."

Also on display at the exhibition is never before seen pictures of John Lennon taken by U.S. photographer Bob Gruen.

Gruen was John's personal photographer during his time in New York the 1970s and is credited with taking some of the most famous pictures of Lennon in his post-Beatles career.

Lennon was killed, aged 40, outside his home at the Dakota Building in New York on Dec. 8, 1980 by gunman Mark Chapman. His widow Yoko Ono still lives in the same apartment.

The Beatles Story, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is credited as the world's largest permanent exhibition solely dedicated to the Beatles.

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