John Lennon

John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) was an English singer and songwriter. He was a member of the Beatles.

Born in Liverpool, he was raised by his mother's sister, Mimi Smith. He formed his first band, The Quarrymen, in 1956, and the Beatles in 1958.

After the break-up of the Beatles in 1970, he had a successful solo career. His song Imagine, written in 1971, is now the official song of Amnesty International.

John married Cynthia Powell in 1962. He met Yoko Ono in 1966. They had an affair that led to his divorce in 1968. He married Yoko in 1969 and changed his name to John Oko Lennon. Their son Sean was born in 1975 on John's birthday.

He signed his autograph for Mark Chapman on 8 December 1980. Six hours later, Chapman shot and killed him.

Liverpool Airport has been renamed John Lennon Airport in his honour.