9 October 2023, 12:00 | Updated: 7 October 2024, 15:10
John Lennon: in 1964, 1968 and 1980.
Picture:
Everett Collection Inc/steeve-x-foto/Alamy Stock Photo
Musician, singer, guitarist, campaigner and one of the biggest artists of the 20th Century. Here's his philosophy, in his own words.
"I've always been politically minded and against the status quo.”
Red Mole, 1971
John Lennon and Yoko Ono address an antiwar rally in Manhattan's Bryant Park, 22 April 1972.
Picture:
Alamy
“The only way to deal with critics is to go over their heads direct to the public.”
Rolling Stone, December 1980
The classic photo of John Lennon in the psychedelic era - taken by Richard Avedon in August 1967.
Picture:
Alamy
“Life is what happens to you, While you're busy making other plans.”
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy), 1980
John Lennon and son Sean in New York City, 1979.
Picture:
Alamy
“God is a concept by which we measure our pain.”
God, 1970
John Lennon performing on Top Of The Pops, 1970.
Picture:
Alamy
"I was a working-class macho guy who was used to being served and Yoko didn't buy that.”
Newsweek, September 1980
John and Yoko launch their You Are Here show in 1968.
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Alamy
“The Beatles music died then, as musicians. That’s why we never improved as musicians; we killed ourselves then to make it. And that was the end of it.”
Rolling Stone, December 1970
The Beatles arrive at Shea Stadium, 1965.
Picture:
Alamy
"Part of me suspects that I'm a loser and the other part of me thinks I'm God Almighty.”
“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink.”
“I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first – rock 'n' roll or Christianity.” Evening Standard, 1966