John Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940 8 December 1980) was an iconic 20th century English rock and roll songwriter and singer, who gained worldwide fame as the founder of The Beatles. He and Paul McCartney formed the hugely successful Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership - writing songs for The Beatles and other artists.[1] As a writing pair, Lennon's hard edge and McCartney's optimism complemented one another.[2] The Beatles revolutionised rock music with their lyrics, instrumentation, harmonies, and electronic effects. In his successful solo career, Lennon wrote and recorded songs such as "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance" that became anthems of their age.
Lennon, on television and in films such as A Hard Day's Night (1964), and in press conferences and interviews, revealed his rebellious, iconoclastic nature and quick, irreverent wit. He channeled his fame and penchant for controversy into his work as a peace activist, artist and author.
He had one son, Julian, with his first wife, Cynthia. He and his second wife - avant-garde artist Yoko Ono - had one son, Sean. Lennon was murdered in New York City on December 8, 1980, by a deranged fan as he and Ono returned home from a recording session. He was - and continues to be - mourned throughout the world.
In 2002, respondents to a BBC poll about the 100 Greatest Britons voted Lennon into eighth place.
