A Brief History of John Lennon

As most of us associate John Lennon with Theequal rights and peace, as well as several television
Beatles, very few recognize Lennon's solo career andperformances to make his music and message
additional accomplishments.  This witty man, knownunderstood.
for his rebellious nature and gentle spirit made a name,John Lennon had two children:  Sean and Julian. 
not only as a member of a band, but also as anAlthough Sean and Lennon's relationship was strained
activist, songwriter, peace activist and author.  Evendue to his fallouts with Ono, Lennon devoted much
out of the spotlight, Lennon created a family/home lifetime with him after his retirement from the music
and took time to be a human of average nature.business.  Julian was much more into music, and got
John Winston Ono Lennon was born on October 9,along better with his father.  Julian was even asked
1940 in Liverpool.  Lennon only lived with his parentsto play drums on "Ya Ya", a song from Lennon's 1974
for a short amount of time, then spent the rest of hisalbum Walls and Bridges.  
younger years living with his aunt and uncle inIn the late 1970's John Lennon and Yoko Ono took a
Woolton.  Lennon formed The Beatles in 1957, at thehiatus from the world, living an extremely introverted
young age of sixteen.  The band, still recognizedlifestyle in Dakota, New York.  On December 8, 1980
today as a historic moment in musical history, hit theLennon was shot by Mark Chapman, after
charts almost immediately.autographing a copy of Double Fantasy.  Ono made
Even with The Beatles' growing success, Lennona statement at the time of Lennon's death, "There is
decided to detach himself from the band in Septemberno funeral for John.  John Loved and prayed for the
of 1969, to release his debut solo album.  The album,human race.  Please pray the same for him."
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, was released in 1970,Following the murder, "Imagine" topped the charts for
even through the media's outrage to his leaving, Thean estimated eight weeks. Lennon and Ono's art
Beatles.  In 1971 Lennon became extremely involvedinstallations were viewed more than ever, and his
with the anti-war movement, releasing, the timeless,comic strip and caricatures were publicly released. 
"Imagine".  He attended several protests, where heAlso, after Lennon's death, Skywriting by Word of
would speak out and sing songs of peace andMouth and Japan Through John Lennon's Eyes:  A
humanity.Personal Sketchbook,  were also released.  Some
In August of 1971 John Lennon, and his wife Yoko Ono,could say that Lennon's popularity rose to highest
moved to New York, where they collaborativelylevels after his traumatic passing.  Today, aside from
released, Happy Xmas (War is Over).  JohnJohn Lennon's music, over ten artistic monuments
projected his feminist side, creating songs with Onoaround the world have been created for the beloved
about women's rights and race issues.  Lennonartist.
followed this album with several other songs about