Lasting Legacy of John Lennon: A Look at the Influence on History

A closer look at the lasting mark left by John Lennon—a timeline of influence.

John Lennon was a highly influential English singer-songwriter, musician, and peace activist. He achieved worldwide recognition as a founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist for the Beatles, one of the most successful and influential bands in music history. Lennon's songwriting collaboration with Paul McCartney is renowned as the most successful musical partnership of all time, producing a vast catalog of iconic and enduring songs. Beyond his musical achievements, Lennon used his platform to advocate for peace and social change, becoming a prominent voice for anti-war movements.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Release of "Julia"

In 1968, The Beatles released the song "Julia", written by John Lennon as a tribute to his deceased mother, Julia Lennon.

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1971: Lennon's Ties with London Anti-War Activists

In 1971, the final 10 documents in John Lennon's FBI file reported on his ties with London anti-war activists. These documents were later released in December 2006.

April 1973: Formation of Nutopia

On 1 April 1973, John Lennon and Yoko Ono held a press conference at the New York City Bar Association, announcing the formation of Nutopia, described as a place with "no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people," and requesting political asylum in the US.

1980: Releases after Lennon's death

All releases after his death in 1980 use archival footage.

January 1981: "Imagine" Hits Number One in the UK

In January 1981, following John Lennon's death, "Imagine" hit number one in the UK. Shortly after, "Woman", the second single from Double Fantasy, succeeded "Imagine" at the top of the UK chart.

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1981: Awards for Double Fantasy and Contribution to Music

In 1981, Double Fantasy won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and Lennon was given the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

1983: Wiener Sues the FBI

In 1983, historian Jon Wiener sued the FBI with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, seeking the release of FBI files documenting the Bureau's role in the deportation attempt against John Lennon.

1984: Posthumous release of "Milk and Honey" album

In 1984, the album "Milk and Honey", which contained material recorded by John Lennon prior to his death, was released posthumously.

1986: Publication of "Skywriting by Word of Mouth"

In 1986, "Skywriting by Word of Mouth", a collection of John Lennon's writings, was published.

Skywriting by Word of Mouth : And Other Writings, Including "The Ballad of John and Yoko"

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1987: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 1987, Lennon was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

1987: McCartney's Interview About Lennon

In a 1987 interview, Paul McCartney reflected on the Beatles' idolization of John Lennon, acknowledging him as a leader.

1988: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with The Beatles)

In 1988, John Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles.

1991: ACLU Wins Decision Against the FBI

In 1991, the ACLU, representing Jon Wiener, won a favorable decision in their suit against the FBI in the Ninth Circuit, regarding the release of John Lennon's FBI files.

April 1992: Justice Department Appeals to Supreme Court

In April 1992, the Justice Department appealed the decision to the Supreme Court regarding the release of John Lennon's FBI files, but the court declined to review the case.

1992: Publication of "Ai: Japan Through John Lennon's Eyes: A Personal Sketchbook"

In 1992, "Ai: Japan Through John Lennon's Eyes: A Personal Sketchbook", featuring Lennon's illustrations of Japanese words, was published.

Ai: Japan Through John Lennon's Eyes : A Personal Sketchbook (English and Japanese Edition)

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1994: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Solo Artist)

In 1994, John Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

1994: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1994, Lennon was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1996: Release of film version of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus

John Lennon participated in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus at the end of 1968, which was a television special that was not broadcast at that time. A film version of this was released in 1996.

1997: Establishment of John Lennon Scholarships

In 1997, Yoko Ono and the BMI Foundation established an annual music competition programme and the BMI Foundation's John Lennon Scholarships for songwriters of contemporary musical genres to honour John Lennon's memory and his large creative legacy.

1997: Release of Lennon's FBI Files

In 1997, the Justice Department settled most of the outstanding issues outside court by releasing all but 10 of the contested documents in John Lennon's FBI file, respecting President Bill Clinton's rule that documents should be withheld only if releasing them would involve foreseeable harm.

1997: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame

John Lennon was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997.

1998: Release of John Lennon Anthology

In 1998, two tracks from John Lennon's December 1971 performance at the "John Sinclair Freedom Rally" appeared on John Lennon Anthology.

1999: Publication of "Real Love: The Drawings for Sean"

In 1999, "Real Love: The Drawings for Sean" was published, featuring John Lennon's drawings for his son, Sean.

Real Love: The Drawings for Sean

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1999: "Imagine" wins BBC poll

In 1999, on National Poetry Day, a BBC poll identified "Imagine" as the UK's favourite song lyric.

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January 2000: Publication of "Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files"

In January 2000, Jon Wiener published "Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files," containing facsimiles of documents related to the FBI's surveillance of John Lennon.

Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files

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February 2000: Cousin's IRA Claim

In February 2000, John Lennon's cousin, Stanley Parkes, stated that the singer had given money to the IRA during the 1970s.

2000: Publication of The Beatles Anthology

In 2000, "The Beatles Anthology" was published. It presented examples of John Lennon's writings and drawings.

2002: Ranked in BBC's 100 Greatest Britons

In 2002, John Lennon was voted eighth in a BBC history poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

2002: BBC Poll: Eighth of "100 Greatest Britons"

In 2002, a BBC poll voted John Lennon eighth of "100 Greatest Britons".

2002: Liverpool Airport Renamed

In 2002, the airport in Lennon's home town was renamed the Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

2003: Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time"

In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked Lennon fifth of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".

December 2006: Release of Final FBI Documents

In December 2006, the final 10 documents in John Lennon's FBI file, which reported on his ties with London anti-war activists in 1971, were released.

2006: Confirmation of Lennon's Sympathies

In 2006, Tariq Ali confirmed FBI surveillance reports that John Lennon was sympathetic to the International Marxist Group.

2006: Release of "The U.S. vs. John Lennon"

In 2006, the documentary "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" was released, featuring footage from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1973 press conference.

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2006: Guardian article on Lennon's courage

In a 2006 Guardian article, Jon Wiener highlighted Lennon's courage in standing up to US President Nixon in 1972 as a reason why people still admired him. Amaia Odriozola described Lennon's Windsor glasses as a "style statement" for musicians in 2024.

2007: Inclusion of 'Too Many Cooks' on Mick Jagger's album

In 1974, John Lennon produced the Mick Jagger song "Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)" which was to remain unreleased for more than 30 years. Pang supplied the recording for its eventual inclusion on The Very Best of Mick Jagger in 2007.

2008: Rolling Stone Recognition

In 2008, Rolling Stone recognised Lennon in several reviews of artists and music, ranking him 38th of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", and his albums John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, 22nd and 76th respectively of "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".

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2010: Unveiling of John Lennon Peace Monument

In 2010, on what would have been Lennon's 70th birthday, Cynthia and Julian Lennon unveiled the John Lennon Peace Monument in Chavasse Park, Liverpool.

December 2013: Crater on Mercury Named After Lennon

In December 2013, the International Astronomical Union named one of the craters on Mercury after Lennon.

2024: Lennon's glasses as a "style statement"

In 2024, Amaia Odriozola described Lennon's Windsor glasses as being "known all over the world" and credited him with pioneering glasses as a "style statement" for musicians.

2024: Guitar Found and Auctioned

In 2024, a guitar belonging to John Lennon, that was thought to have been lost, was found in an attic and auctioned at Julien's Auctions for $2.9 million (2.68 million euros).