ShortList is supported by you, our amazing readers. When you click through the links on our site and make a purchase we may earn a commission. Learn more

Lennon: A Tribute

A retrospective in pictures

Lennon: A Tribute
06 October 2010

In honour of what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday, we take a look back at the legendary singer-songwriter's life in pictures...

1948

Young Lennon is pictured aged eight in his Dovedale Primary School uniform. Chewing gum behind ears, no doubt.

Photo: Pictorial Press/Getty Images


1960

The early Beatles are photographed standing outside Paul McCartney's Liverpool home in 1960. From left to right in this photo: George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Ringo Starr was not to join the band for another two years. Until then Harrison would kick a bin to provide percussion. Some of this is false.

Photo: Keystone/Getty Images


1961

During the early years of the Beatles, Lennon performs live on stage at the, now world-famous Cavern Club, in Matthew Street, Liverpool, in December 1961.

Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images


1964

Lennon performs live aged 24. Rocks the geek chic look a full 50 years before Justin Timberlake.

Photo: TERRY O'NEILL / Rex Features


1964

The Beatles celebrate Lennon passing his driving test in the car park of EMI Studios. Actually, though.

Photo: Daily Sketch/Rex Features


1965

Lennon is snapped in his Triumph Herald convertible car on the 18 February 1965.

Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images


1965

Lennon dons dark glasses and a hat for an incognito flight to Cannes film festival with his then-wife Cynthia Lennon.

Photo: H Wallace/Daily Mail/Rex Features


1967

The Beatles take part in a colourful photo shoot, perfectly encapsulating the psychedelic vibe of the late sixties.

Photo by David Magnus / Rex Features


1968

Lennon is pictured on the 19 October 1968 on his way to appear at Marylebone Magistrates' Court after being arrested on charges of possession of drugs. He and girlfriend Yoko Ono were living at Ringo Starr's flat at 34 Montagu Square when the premises were raided by the drug squad. Busted!

Photo: Daily Express/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images


1968

Lennon is photographed with his son Julian at their home in Weybridge.

Photo: Keystone Features/Getty Images


1969

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, both dressed in white, hold aloft their marriage certificate after their wedding in Gibraltar on the 20 March 1969. Photobomber ruins the entire thing.

Photo: Simpson/Express/Getty Images


1970s

Lennon as he looked in the seventies, wearing his trademark specs and some seriously impressive man beard.

Photo: Harry Goodwin/Rex Features


1969

Lennon poses with Yoko Ono on the steps of the Apple building in London, holding one of the posters that they distributed to the world's major cities as part of a peace campaign protesting against the Vietnam War, entitled 'War Is Over, If You Want It'.

Photo: Frank Barratt/Getty Images