John Lennon

Latest about John Lennon

Photo of John LENNON and George HARRISON and BEATLES; L-R: John Junkin, George Harrison, Paul McCartney (background), John Lennon, Ringo Starr on set at the Scala Theatre during the filming of "A Hard Day's Night"
George Harrison on the John Lennon guitar solo he called his best on the Beatles’ recordings

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

Though primarily a rhythm guitarist, Lennon had a few standout moments as a soloist

Guitarists
Singer and guitarist, Norman Greenbaum, produced minor hits during the 1960s, including "Spirit in the Sky," which was turned into a number 1 Top 40 hit in 1986, by Doctor & The Medics. Greenbaum retired in '72 as a California goat farmer.
Norman Greenbaum tells how a Telecaster with a built-in fuzz helped him create a psychedelic hit about Jesus that even John Lennon liked

By Joe Bosso Published

The song has been heard in commercials, TV shows, movies — and, yes, at funerals too, including the send-off for gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson

Music
LEFT: Bob DYLAN, performing live onstage RIGHT: John Lennon during a performance against a lit backdrop in 1966.
How a misheard John Lennon lyric led Bob Dylan to meet the Beatles and change both their destinies

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

Drawn together by mutual admiration, the Beatles and Dylan would push each other to new phases of their artistry. And it started with one song

Guitarists
(from left) Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr perform in Twickenham Film Studios, London, in January 1969, in a scene from the Michael Lindsay-Hogg film Let It Be.
How a candid moment caught on camera became the final Beatles song the band recorded together

By Phil Weller Published

"I Me Mine" wasn’t intended to make the 'Let It Be' album, but an executive decision forced what remained of the Beatles back into the studio to record it for one last hurrah

Guitarists
Albert Lee 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom
When Albert Lee received a Les Paul Custom from Eric Clapton, he had no idea how much history it held

By Phil Weller Published

Clapton made the guitar famous, but it’s been played by a host of guitar icons and was featured on two of his vital classic rock albums

Guitarists
Musicians John Lennon (R) and Paul McCartney of English rock group The Beatles on the set of television special The Music of Lennon & McCartney at Granada Studios, Manchester, circa November 1965.
If you know nothing about John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s songwriting methods, this might help

By Phil Weller Published

Lennon’s weaknesses proved to be McCartney’s strengths, while their shared music tastes created a bedrock upon which the Fab Four built their legacy

Guitarists
1966, British rock musician Paul McCartney playing on stage during The Beatles', last tour. Drummer Ringo Starr is visible in the background., 1966
Paul McCartney said his very first performance with John Lennon went so badly that he swore off guitar solos

By Christopher Scapelliti Last updated

McCartney's botched showpiece was the reason he pushed Lennon to bring George Harrison into the Quarrymen. The rest is Beatles history

Guitarists
Framus John Lennon Hootenanny Reissue
John Lennon’s legendary Framus 12-string gets an official reissue just months after its landmark sale

By Phil Weller Published

The guitar, used on a string of Beatles hits and missing for 50 years, has since become one of the most expensive guitars sold at auction

Acoustic Guitars
Portrait of British musician Paul McCartney as he plays acoustic guitar against a red background, October 7, 1984.
Paul McCartney made some surprising revelations about his favorite guitar in our historic interview with him

By Tom Mulhern Published

The former Beatle gave Guitar Player insights into "Taxman" and "Blackbird," as well as John Lennon's previously unknown fingerpicking skills

Guitarists
John Lennon and Eric Clapton
John Lennon’s 1971 secret letter to Eric Clapton asking him to start a “ballsy” new rock band is headed for auction

By Phil Weller Published

Lennon's letter, now headed to auction, was in part an attempt to help Clapton out of his heroin addiction

Music
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