366Art | John Lennon

Today is the birthday of the legendary John Lennon, one of the most famous musicians and cultural icons of the 20th century. The edit above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendars/reference works below are made by me, Frieke.

John Winston Lennon was born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, during a World War II bombing. His parents were Julia Stanley and Alfred "Freddie" Lennon. His father, a merchant seaman, was often away, and the marriage fell apart when John was still young. Julia led a fairly unconventional life, and her family deemed her unfit to care for John. At the age of five, he was entrusted to his aunt, Mimi Smith, Julia’s older sister.

Although John lived with Mimi, he had a close but complex bond with his mother Julia. She was a free-spirited and creative woman who introduced John to the world of music. She taught him to play the guitar and encouraged his musical talents, in contrast to Mimi, who placed more value on discipline. Julia’s playful and free spirit inspired John and played a significant role in his development as an artist and in his later rebellious attitude toward conventions. Tragically, Julia was killed in 1958 when John was 17 years old. This loss had a devastating impact on him and deeply influenced his music and personality. Much of his later work reflects his grief and the strong influence of his free-thinking Mother . Songs like Julia (from The Beatles' White Album) and "Mother" (from his solo work) echo the deep pain and sense of loss he felt throughout his life.

John Lennon was a teenager when he and a group of friends formed The Quarrymen. The band initially played skiffle, a popular musical style in the UK in the 1950s, which was a mix of folk, blues, and jazz, played with simple instruments. In 1957, he met Paul McCartney, who joined the band. McCartney later introduced George Harrison, and after some lineup changes, drummer Ringo Starr also joined the group. In 1960, after some of the original members left, the band was renamed The Beatles, one of the most iconic and influential bands in music history.

The Beatles became a global phenomenon in the 1960s. Lennon and McCartney formed the songwriting duo behind many of the band’s biggest hits, such as Help!, A Hard Day's Night, All You Need Is Love, and Strawberry Fields Forever. Their music evolved from simple rock 'n' roll to more complex and experimental styles, with albums like Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and The White Album.

After The Beatles disbanded in 1970, Lennon embarked on a successful solo career. His first solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, was praised for its raw emotional honesty. One of his most iconic songs, Imagine (1971), reflects his ideals of world peace and brotherhood.

Lennon was married twice. His first wife was Cynthia Powell, with whom he had a son, Julian Lennon. They divorced in 1968, and shortly after, he married Yoko Ono, with whom he shared a deep emotional and artistic connection. Together, they had a second son, Sean Lennon. Lennon was known for his political and social activism, especially his opposition to the Vietnam War. Along with his second wife, the Japanese artist Yoko Ono, he organized public peace protests, such as their famous Bed-in for peace. 

In the 1970s, Lennon temporarily stepped away from the music scene to focus on his family. In 1980, he made a comeback with the album Double Fantasy, a collaboration with Ono. On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was tragically murdered outside his apartment in New York City by Mark David Chapman, a fan who had become obsessed with Lennon. His death caused shock and grief worldwide.

John Lennon's influence on music and culture is immense. He is remembered as a visionary artist who used music to express his deepest feelings and to promote social change. His music, especially "Imagine," continues to be a symbol of peace and hope to this day. The Beatles remain one of the best-selling and most beloved bands in music history, and Lennon’s solo work is still cherished. John Lennon, an artist who championed peace, love, and humanity, remains an inspiration for generations around the world.