John Lennon (1940-1980) was an English musician, singer, songwriter, and peace activist. He gained worldwide fame as a founding member of the Beatles, one of the most successful and influential bands in history. Born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, Lennon exhibited a passion for music from an early age.
Lesser-Known John Lennon Facts
- Lennon’s favorite color was green.
- He wrote his first song at the age of 14, titled “Hello Little Girl.”
- Lennon and Paul McCartney performed as a duo called the “Nerk Twins” before forming the Beatles.
- He was a strong advocate for women’s rights and often spoke out against sexism.
- Lennon had a fascination with numerology and believed that the number 9 held significance in his life.
- He was an avid reader and had a deep interest in literature, particularly works by Lewis Carroll and James Joyce.
- Lennon had a half-sister named Julia, named after their late mother.
- He struggled with drug addiction during the late 1960s and early 1970s but later became an advocate for sobriety.
- Lennon was known for his sharp wit and sarcasm, often engaging in humorous banter during interviews.
- He appeared in several films, including “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) and “Help!” (1965) with the Beatles.
- Lennon had a strong influence on the punk rock movement and was admired by many punk musicians.
- He was an animal rights supporter and once returned his MBE (Member of the British Empire) medal in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigerian Civil War and its support for the United States’ actions in Vietnam.
- Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, wrote a memoir titled “A Twist of Lennon” about their relationship and time together.
- He was the last Beatle to learn to drive, finally obtaining his driver’s license in 1965.
- Lennon had a fascination with comedy and was a fan of comedians such as Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan.
- He contributed backing vocals to Elton John’s hit song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” during a period of collaboration between the two artists.
- Lennon had a collection of over 1,000 pairs of glasses, which he enjoyed collecting and wearing as fashion accessories.
- He co-wrote the Beatles’ song “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!” based on an antique circus poster he purchased.
- Lennon was a fan of the comic strip “Peanuts” and once sent a letter to cartoonist Charles M. Schulz expressing his admiration.
- He became interested in primal therapy, a form of psychological therapy, and underwent sessions with its founder, Dr. Arthur Janov.
- Lennon composed the song “Julia” as a tribute to his late mother, Julia Lennon.
- He was a fan of the Monty Python comedy group and even appeared in one of their sketches.
- Lennon’s first home recording studio was called the “Ascot Sound Studios,” located in his Tittenhurst Park estate.
- He co-wrote and produced the song “You’re Sixteen” for Ringo Starr, which became a top-ten hit in the United States.
- Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded an album titled “Double Fantasy” that was released shortly before his death.
- He designed a series of lithographs called “Bag One” that depicted scenes from his honeymoon with Yoko Ono and their Bed-In for Peace.
- Lennon had a love for sailing and owned a 43-foot sailboat named “Megan Jaye.”
- He was an early advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and included openly gay and bisexual individuals in his artwork.
- Lennon wrote and illustrated several books, including “In His Own Write” and “A Spaniard in the Works,” which showcased his whimsical and imaginative writing style.
- He was posthumously awarded a star
