Wow, you had some fun back in the day!

Sorry to tip your world over slightly- in my defense this was done to me repeatedly when I first came here, so many past idols gone or badly rearranged!

Lennon was a shock, I had to trawl YT for videos (a fruitful endeavor), a couple I've added:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-uGAASs48k (song 'W', interesting lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsOEtJ8Geug (very basic voice comparison)

I was taken as soon as I heard him, but a bit more digging revealed oddities like occasionally he'd forget to speak as 'himself' or sing a little too like his 'old self'. Anecdotal but dasting.

If this is true, the balls and sheer effrontery to have Lennon act as a Lennon impersonator and film it for the world is just stunning. But then, Bowie was put back straight in front of the camera (for his own tribute pretty much!) and Joan turned up very shortly after her death too, so precedence seems to indicate they like to rub our noses in it very soon and see what they can get away with.

As you aptly point out, it is telling how many of these people manage to time an interview to come out just as they approach their demise. Whatever the reason for the 'death', the op is communicated through media to their clowns (likely through their magazine interviews as the close circle would already know) so that they are in position quickly with merchandise, special editions, press, media coverage etc etc. Always wondered how the 'special editions', glowing obituaries and merch came out so quickly? Wonder no more. (Again, apologies!)