Imagine: Google Features Its First Video Doodle In Honor Of John Lennon's 70th

Head to Google.com right now and you’ll notice that the site’s logo has been transformed into an ink drawing, with a familiar set of glasses and mop of hair peeking up from the background. That isn’t too unusual — Google features variations of its logo, called Doodles, all the time. But you’ll also notice a bright red arrow that looks like a ‘Play’ button. Well, it is: hit it, and you’ll get to watch Google’s first ever Video Doodle.

Clicking the button will start playing the video embedded below, which features John Lennon’s classic song Imagine playing alongside a swirl of ink drawings that ultimately coalesce to form the Google logo and John Lennon’s famous self portrait. The video is featured on Google’s homepage to mark the occasion of John Lennon’s 70th birthday, and it’s really well done.

In addition to the video doodle, YouTube is also doing its part to celebrate the singer. Beginning tonight, the site will feature a special John Lennon channel on its homepage, which includes video messages from from Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, and a number of other notable performers and friends of Lennon. There’s even one from Cirque du Soleil.  YouTube viewers are being invited to submit their own video tributes to the music legend.