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 activist. He achieved global recognition as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, one of the most iconic and successful bands in music history. His songwriting collaboration with Paul McCartney is celebrated as the most successful in history, producing a vast catalog of timeless and innovative songs. Beyond his musical achievements, Lennon was a vocal advocate for peace and social change, using his platform to promote messages of love, unity, and non-violence, making him a cultural icon.

Sections (7)

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

1968: Inspiration for "Julia"

In 1968, the memory of Julia Lennon, John's mother, served as a major creative inspiration for him, leading to the creation of The Beatles song "Julia".

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1971: Report on ties with London anti-war activists

In 1971, John Lennon's ties with London anti-war activists was reported by the FBI and the documents withheld as containing "national security information provided by a foreign government under an explicit promise of confidentiality".

September 1980: Lennon's Comments on Family and Rebellion

In September 1980, John Lennon reflected on his family and his rebellious nature, providing insights into his upbringing and personal development.

1980: Archival Footage Used After Lennon's Death

Following John Lennon's death in 1980, all releases of his material use archival footage.

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

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

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1981: Grammy and BRIT Award for Lennon

In 1981, Double Fantasy won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Additionally, John Lennon received the BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music that year.

1981: Posthumous Grammy and Brit Award

In 1981, after his death, John Lennon's album, Double Fantasy, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and he also won 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 to release FBI files documenting the Bureau's role in John Lennon's deportation attempt.

1984: Posthumous Release of "Milk and Honey"

In 1984, the album "Milk and Honey", a planned follow-up to Double Fantasy with additional material recorded by John Lennon, was issued posthumously.

1986: Skywriting by Word of Mouth published

In 1986, the book "Skywriting by Word of Mouth", containing further works by John Lennon, 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, John Lennon was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

1987: McCartney's Interview on Lennon

In a 1987 interview, Paul McCartney reflected on John Lennon's leadership and influence within The Beatles, highlighting Lennon's quick wit and intelligence.

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

In 1988, John Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, recognizing the band's impact on music history.

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 regarding the release of John Lennon's FBI files to the Supreme Court, but the court declined to review the case.

1992: Ai: Japan Through John Lennon's Eyes published

In 1992, "Ai: Japan Through John Lennon's Eyes: A Personal Sketchbook", featuring John 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, acknowledging his individual contributions to music.

1994: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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

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

In 1996, a film version of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus was released. John Lennon participated in this television special at the end of 1968 with the Dirty Mac, which also featured Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell.

1997: Establishment of the BMI Foundation John Lennon Scholarship

In 1997, Yoko Ono and the BMI Foundation established an annual music competition program called the BMI Foundation John Lennon Scholarship for songwriters of contemporary musical genres to honor John Lennon's memory and his creative legacy, giving over $400,000 to talented young musicians in the United States since its establishment.

1997: Justice Department releases contested documents

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, due to President Bill Clinton's new rule.

1997: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame

John Lennon was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997, recognizing his significant contributions to music.

1998: Release of John Lennon Anthology

In 1998, tracks from the John Sinclair Freedom Rally concert of December 1971 appeared on John Lennon Anthology.

1999: Real Love: The Drawings for Sean published

In 1999, "Real Love: The Drawings for Sean", a collection of John Lennon's drawings, was published.

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 John Lennon's song "Imagine" as the UK's favorite song lyric.

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January 2000: Gimme Some Truth published

In January 2000, Jon Wiener published "Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files", which contained facsimiles of documents from Lennon's FBI file.

Gimme Some Truth: The John Lennon FBI Files

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2000: Writings and drawings presented in The Beatles Anthology

In 2000, John Lennon's writings and drawings were presented in "The Beatles Anthology".

2002: Eighth Greatest Briton

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

2002: BBC Poll: 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 John Lennon's hometown was renamed the Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

2003: Rolling Stone's Recognition

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

2005: Powell's Memoir

In her 2005 memoir John, Cynthia Powell recalled John Lennon's possessive and sometimes violent behavior during their relationship.

December 2006: Final FBI files released

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: Ali Confirms Lennon's Sympathy to IMG

In 2006, Tariq Ali confirmed that John Lennon was sympathetic to the International Marxist Group (IMG), a Trotskyist group formed in Britain in 1968.

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

In 2006, the documentary "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" was released, featuring footage from the 1973 press conference where Lennon and Ono announced the formation of Nutopia.

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2006: The Guardian Article on Lennon

In a 2006 Guardian article, Jon Wiener highlighted John Lennon's courage in standing up to US President Nixon as a reason why people still admire him.

2007: Release of "Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)"

In 2007, the Mick Jagger song "Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)", which was produced by Lennon in April 1974 but remained unreleased due to contractual reasons, was finally included on The Very Best of Mick Jagger album.

2008: Rolling Stone's Recognition

In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked John Lennon 38th of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

2010: Unveiling of the John Lennon Peace Monument

In 2010, on what would have been John 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 John Lennon.

2024: Lennon's Windsor Glasses as a Style Statement

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