1 John Winston Lennon John Lennon was a father, husband, musician, activist and artist. He worked for peace and love in the world. He was born on October 9th, 1940. His father was a merchant and was away most of the time and his mother was at home and looked after him. When John was 4, he moved in with Aunt Mimi and stayed most of his childhood and teenage years there.
2 When John was a child his mother bought him a guitar and taught him to play it. He also learnt to play the banjo and the piano. At the age of 16 John started his own band called Quarry Men with friends who attended the same school. In 1960 John Lennon and his friends Paul McCartney and George Harrison formed a band called the Beatles.
3 At school, John failed almost all his exams. Even though he was failing in school, with the help of his aunt Mimi, he gained entry to the Liverpool College of Art. During that time, John was rebelling against his teachers and wasn’t studying. He was disrespectful towards his teachers. Eventually, John dropped out of college. In 1962 he married with Cynthia Powell and eight month later their son Julian was born.
4 In the early 60’ the Beatles were becoming big in their hometown of Liverpool. Brian Epstein became a manager of the group in 1962. In the same year Ringo Starr, the drummer, joined the group. George Harrison played the lead guitar. Paul McCartney played bass. John Lennon played rhythm guitar and the keyboards. They released some famous hits (Love Me Do and Please, Please Me) and recorded top-charter in the UK as well as in the USA.
5 In 1964 the Beatles were on their first tour across the States. The majority of the audience consisted of teenagers. While they were playing on the concerts, the teenage girls were screaming wildly. The popularity of the Beatles grew and soon they had played concerts around the world.
6 In 1966, John Lennon met Yoko Ono, who brought him into politics as well as influenced the break-up of the Beatles. John divorced Cynthia and married Yoko in 1968. Seven years later their son, Sean, was born.
7 Lennon and Yoko were active in protests against the Vietnam War. John personally gave his Membership medal of the Order of the British Empire back to the queen in protest against Nigerian Civil War and the British support of the American involvement of the Vietnam War.
8 On December 6th, 1980 Lennon and his wife were working on the songs for the album Milk and Honey in New York. On their way to recording studio Mark Chapman stopped them and asked for Lennon’s autograph. 5 hours later the couple returned to their apartment. While they were standing at the entrance, Chapman called them and fired four shots at Lennon who died the same day in hospital.
9 The day after the news of Lennon’s death was spread and the world was shocked. Six days after his death, millions around the world showed their respects to Lennon with 10 minutes of silence. A memorial was put up in Central Park in New York called Strawberry Fields for Lennon.
