John Lennon

John Lennon was a British musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beatles and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music. He was also a peace activist and a solo artist.

Early Life

Lennon was born in 1940 in Liverpool during an air raid. His parents separated, and he was raised by his aunt Mimi.

He was a rebellious child and was interested in art and in music. He formed a skiffle group, the Quarrymen, which later became the Beatles.

He met Paul McCartney in 1957 and invited him to join the group. The partnership became one of the most successful in the history of popular music.

The Beatles

The Beatles were formed in 1960 and included George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The group became the most successful band in history.

Lennon and McCartney wrote most of the songs, and their partnership produced a series of hits. The albums from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road are among the most admired in popular music.

The band changed the course of popular culture and influenced fashion, film, and politics. Lennon's wit and his personality were central to the group's image.

Solo Career and Activism

After the break-up of the Beatles in 1970, Lennon pursued a solo career. The albums John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine are among his most important works.

Imagine became an anthem of peace and of hope. He married Yoko Ono and collaborated with her on music and on art.

He campaigned for peace and staged the bed-ins for peace with Yoko Ono. He opposed the Vietnam War and was critical of the political establishment.

Personal Life

Lennon's marriage to Cynthia Powell ended in divorce, and he had a son, Julian. He married Yoko Ono in 1969 and had a son, Sean.

He moved to New York and became involved in the anti-war movement. He was investigated by the FBI and was threatened with deportation.

He withdrew from public life for several years to raise his son. He returned to music in 1980 with the album Double Fantasy.

Death and Legacy

Lennon was shot and killed in New York in December 1980 by a fan. He was returning to his apartment building with Yoko Ono.

His death was mourned throughout the world. The memorials and vigils were held in many cities.

He is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His music and his advocacy for peace continue to influence popular culture.

The Songwriting Partnership

Lennon and McCartney wrote most of the Beatles' songs. The partnership was competitive and productive.

The songs were credited to both writers, although the contributions varied. The partnership produced a body of work that is unrivaled in popular music.

The collaboration ended in the late 1960s as the members pursued individual projects. The break-up of the band in 1970 followed.

The Experimental Work

Lennon was interested in the avant-garde and collaborated with Yoko Ono on experimental projects. The albums Two Virgins and Life with the Lions were recordings of the couple.

The Plastic Ono Band was a loose collective that recorded with Lennon and Ono. The album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is one of his most admired works.

He wrote the song Revolution 9 for the Beatles, an experimental sound collage. He was influenced by the ideas of the avant-garde and by the political movements of the period.

The Peace Campaign

Lennon and Ono staged the bed-ins for peace in Amsterdam and in Montreal. The events attracted the attention of the press and of the public.

The song Give Peace a Chance was recorded during the Montreal bed-in. The song became an anthem of the peace movement.

He returned his MBE in protest against the British involvement in the Biafran war and against the support for the United States in Vietnam. The gesture was controversial.

The New York Years

Lennon moved to New York in 1971 and became involved in the anti-war movement. He was investigated by the FBI and was threatened with deportation.

He withdrew from public life for several years to raise his son Sean. He returned to music in 1980 with Double Fantasy.

He was shot and killed in December 1980 outside his apartment building. His death was mourned throughout the world.

The Legacy

Lennon is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His music and his activism influenced generations of artists and of activists.

The Imagine album and the song are among the most celebrated of his works. His songs are performed throughout the world.

The memorial to Lennon in Central Park, the Strawberry Fields, is a place of pilgrimage. His legacy continues to be celebrated and debated.

See also

• The Beatles
• Imagine