NEW YORK, New York (X17online) - Rolling Stone has just released a never-before-seen interview with John Lennon, taken just three days before the icon was gunned down in front of his New York City apartment.

Interviewer Jonathan Cott sat down with Lennon at his apartment and recording studio for a 1980 Rolling Stone cover story on Lennon and Ono’s upcoming album Double Fantasy.

This is the first time the entire interview has been published. There was such a rush to put out a story after Lennon was shot to death by Mark David Chapman, only small portions were used.

Cott revealed he never went back to the three hours worth of tapes until a few months ago when he was cleaning out his closet:

“On a strip of magnetic tape, it was sort of a miracle that first of all, the tape had not degraded after 30 years. All of this sudden, this guy’s voice, totally alive … just made me feel so inspired that I felt that I should really transcribe the whole thing. His words are totally joyous and vibrant and hopeful and subversive and fearless. He didn’t mince words.”

In the interview, Lennon expresses his frustration with critics and the business when he exclaimed:

“These critics with the illusions they’ve created about artists — it’s like idol worship. They only like people when they’re on their way up … I cannot be on the way up again. What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I’m not interesting in being a dead (expletive) hero. .. So forget ‘em, forget ‘em.”

The magazine also included an essay by Ono recalling her final days with her husband. She released this statement Tuesday night in tribute to Lennon:

“On this tragic anniversary please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect. In his short lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world. The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you!”

Lennon’s final interview was released to The Associated Press by Rolling Stone on Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of the musician’s death. The issue will release the full interview on magazine stands Friday.