By Joost Evers – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about John Lennon


 

John Lennon was born in Liverpool on October 9, 1940, and years later went on to become one of the world’s most iconic musicians.

Before him, rock n’ roll did not exist and the Beatles are credited for this genre, although some may disagree.

John is credited to being the brainchild of this band that wowed and garnered a following all over the world.

He is well remembered as the leader of the Beatles as well as a singer, composer, musician, writer, and an actor.

While most people may not agree with his political stands and how he lived his life, John Lennon was adored by many of his fans.

His life was cut short by a fan who fatally shot him at close range. John Lennon died at 40 in 1980.

Although he lived a short life, his legacy lives on 40 years after his death. Here are the Top 10 facts about him.

1. John Lennon was a boy scout and choir boy

Photo by Mael BALLAND on Unsplash

He was a choir boy where he started his singing career at St. Peter’s church in Liverpool, England.

John was also a boy scout with Allerton Boy Scout Troop.

2. John was raised by his aunt

After his father went missing, John was raised by his Aunt Mimi at 251 Menlove Avenue, Liverpool.

He was 5 years old living with his aunt and uncle, who had other children.

They lived near a local Salvation Army orphanage, and John loved to explore its garden, which was known as Strawberry Fields.

This field went on to inspire the Beatles song, Strawberry Fields.

3. His mother taught him how to play the Banjo

By Peter Fordham – Wikimedia

Although John Lennon was raised by his aunt, he would occasionally be visited by his mother, Julia.

She taught him how to play the banjo and the piano. His first guitar was from his mother.

They would listen to Elvis Presley’s records and she even showed him how to play Fats Domino’s Ain’t that a shame.

His aunt bought him volumes of short stories while his uncle bought him a mouth organ.

Unfortunately, his mother died in 1958 after she was hit by a police officer who was off duty.

4. John Lennon was not a good driver

He passed his driving test when he was 25.

Lennon did not drive much either and at one point crashed his car while on a trip to Scotland. John got 17 stitches.

He was in the car with his wife Ono, her daughter Kyoko and his son Julian. After this accident, John gave up driving.

Upon returning to England, they mounted the wreckage on a pillar in their home.

They used a driver or hired a chauffeur.

5. Quarrymen was his first band

By Parlophone Music Sweden – Wikimedia

When he was 16, John started a band called The Quarrymen.

A few years later, he met Paul McCartney at a church event and invited him to join his band.

McCartney tagged George Harrison along the following year. Lennon then brought his art college friend, Stuart Sutcliffe.

In 1960, Pete Best joined the band as a drummer. Their first recording was a cover of Buddy Holly’s that’ll be the day in 1958.

Holly’s band name, the Crickets, inspired Lennon and his bandmates to change their name to the Beatles.  

6. He was the only Beatle who didn’t become a full-time vegetarian

By Parlophone Music Sweden – Wikimedia

The first Beatles band member to be a full vegetarian was George Harrison in 1965.

Paul McCartney later joined him, and the two were in it for spiritual reasons.

Ringo became a vegetarian too but because of health problems. John, on the other hand was not fully committed.

He toyed with the idea and always ended up eating meat.

7. Lennon was not very pleased with the Beatles records

John expressed his displeasure with the band’s records to his former producer.

This was a year after the band broke up. He reportedly wanted to re-record every Beatles song.

The one song he really wanted to get back into the booth and re-record was strawberry fields.

8. John Lennon was physically abusive

By Joost Evers – Wikimedia

He publicly stated that he was jealous and possessive, and would often lash out with physical violence. 

John confessed that he used to be physically cruel to women he related with and any other woman for that matter.

He found it hard to express himself and would resort to physical violence.

His first wife Cynthia was a victim of his and so was Yoko Ono.

This, however, stopped after he met Ono and he became a peace champion.

9. He is accused of breaking up the Beatles

John Lennon is blamed for breaking this famous band. The final years of the band members were said to be rocky.

It started when he announced at their routine meeting that he was leaving the group. Many believed that the group would survive without him.

Paul McCartney left the band soon after. They left after the recording of Abbey Road.

The public learnt of the band’s break up after Paul McCartney left. This was a month before the release of the single let it be.  

John and Paul would go on and have a public tiff for three years before they finally made up.

10. No one knows where his ashes are

By Mike Matejka – Wikimedia

Aged 40, John Lennon was fatally shot by a disturbed fan. He had earlier that day signed an autograph for his killer.

Lennon had just released his album, double fantasy, a few weeks before his death.

He was shot outside his New York apartment and was immediately rushed to hospital but it was too late.

His death was first announced during a Monday night football by Howard Cosell.

Lennon was cremated a day after his death. To date, the location of his ashes has remained a secret.

His wife Ono has never spoken about it publicly.

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