Bermuda's Andy Newmark speaks about his memories of working with John Lennon in a new film tracing the final nine years of the world famous English musician's life when he lived as an immigrant in the US.

Drummer Mr. Newmark, who has a Bermudian mother, was the solo drummer on the album 'Double Fantasy', the final record released by Lennon before he was shot dead outside his Manhattan apartment on December 8, 1980.

The new documentary, entitled 'LENNONYC', focuses on the ex-Beatle's final decade when he moved from England to live in New York City, and also briefly Los Angeles.

It premiered last weekend at the New York Film Festival.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and Lennon's widow Yoko Ono have announced the film will be shown for free on large screens in Central Park, New York, on October 9 – the day when Lennon would have celebrated his 70th birthday.

It is also scheduled to be shown on the PBS TV stations in the US in November.

The documentary looks at Lennon's years in the US following the break-up of The Beatles. He is said to have enjoyed the freedom of living a more ordinary life in New York City, which included taking walks through Central Park, which his apartment overlooked, without being hassled by fans or the press.

The film also examines Lennon's anti-Vietnam War activities and his battle with the US government, which during the Richard Nixon-era sought to deport him. Many of those who knew Lennon, or worked with him between 1971 and 1980, recollect their memories on film, including Mr. Newmark.

In the summer of 1980 Lennon came to Bermuda for what was to be his last summer holiday. He spent two months on the Island, living initially in a rented property on Knapton Hill, Smith's, and then later in Fairylands, Pembroke.

It was shortly after this vacation that Lennon chose talented session musician Mr. Newmark to play drums on his comeback album 'Double Fantasy', which took its title from the name of a flower he had seen in the Botanical Gardens during his holiday.

In a 2005 interview with The Royal Gazette Mr. Newmark recollected what it was like to work with the famous singer-songwriter and how he had been deeply affected by Lennon's murder at the age of 40.

Weekly podcasts from some of the featured interviewees in the new documentary are being released on the pbs.org website.

The documentary is expected to air on PBS TV stations on November 22.

• For details of the film and podcasts, visit: www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/category/episodes/