John Lennon

It is one thing to be a member of the most successful and influential bands in rock and roll history. It is quite another thing to be considered one of the most influential political movers and shakers over the past 100 years. As a member of the Beatles, John Lennon formed one half of a music partnership that created an entertainment juggernaut. While Paul McCartney wrote mostly whimsical lyrics and straightforward compositions, Lennon explored numerous unconventional compositions to pair with his multi-layered and rich prose. Lennon was the “bad boy” of the band, often making references that raised cries of indignation from religious and political leaders. He was an ardent critic of the Vietnam War and vocal proponent for social and cultural change. When Lennon saw that the Beatles were no longer the right musical vehicle for his message, he left the band to embark on a highly successful solo career. His song “Imagine” became the iconic anti-war anthem of his generation. Shortly after leaving the band, John Lennon left the United Kingdom to live in New York with his wife Yoko Ono. His lyrics and compositions slowly took on a more urban vibe that made statements about American culture and the people. His acerbic wit drew the ire of President Richard Nixon, whose administration first monitored and later tried to deport the British songwriter. By 2012, his solo albums topped 14 million units in sales. As a writer or co-writer, Lennon claims 25 number one hits on the British and American charts. His life was prematurely cut short in December of 1980 when Mark David Chapman gunned Lennon down in front of his New York apartment. As a testament of his ongoing popularity, CDs, posters, and books about John Lennon are still easily obtainable online.