Elton John performed the song regularly on his world tour in 1980 , including at his free concert in Central Park , a few blocks away from Lennon 's apartment in The Dakota . On 9 December 1980 , the day after Lennon 's murder , Queen performed " Imagine " as a tribute to him during their Wembley Arena show in London . In 1983 , David Bowie performed it in Hong Kong during his Serious Moonlight Tour , on the third anniversary of Lennon 's death . On 9 October 1990 , more than one billion people listened to a broadcast of the song on what would have been Lennon 's 50th birthday . Ratau Mike Makhalemele covered the song on an EP of Lennon covers in 1990 . In 1991 – 92 , Liza Minnelli performed the song in her show at Radio City Music Hall . Stevie Wonder gave his rendition of the song , with the Morehouse College Glee Club , during the closing ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics as a tribute to the victims of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing . In 2001 , Neil Young performed it during the benefit concert '' America : A Tribute to Heroes '' . Madonna performed " Imagine " during the benefit '' Tsunami Aid : A Concert of Hope '' . Peter Gabriel performed the song during the 2006 Winter Olympics opening ceremony . Herman Cain , then the CEO of Godfather 's Pizza , performed a parody of " Imagine " , identified as " Imagine There 's No Pizza " , before the Omaha Press Club in 1991 , which became a viral video when he ran for President of the United States 20 years later
Centennial Olympic Park bombing
Centennial Olympic Park bombing
Imagine (John Lennon song)