John Lennon
John Lennon was an English singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist who co-founded the Beatles, the most influential band in popular-music history. His partnership with Paul McCartney is the most successful songwriting team in popular music, and his solo work made him an enduring cultural and peace-movement icon.
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- Born October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England; died December 8, 1980, in New York City.
- Formed the skiffle group the Quarrymen in 1956 as a teenager; the band evolved into the Beatles by 1960.
- Left the Beatles when they broke up in 1970 and launched his solo career.
- Released John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970, Apple), a raw, stripped-down solo debut.
- Released Imagine (1971, Apple), whose title track became his signature song.
- Double Fantasy (1980, Geffen), made with Yoko Ono, won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1981, awarded posthumously.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Beatles in 1988 and as a solo artist in 1994.
- Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997.
