This morning I decided I would pick a "topical" Thirteen for today's list. Sadly, it's a topic which marks a loss, but I think it's one worth remembering.
So, this week, I'd like to share with you
So, this week, I'd like to share with you
13 Facts About John Lennon
John was born John Winston Lennon on October 9th, 1940.
John and his aunt Mimi.
His father abandoned John and his mother, Julia, in 1944. A short while later, John's aunt, Mimi, would take over raising him.
John and Julia.
John learned to play guitar at an early age, starting with banjo lessons from his mother.
John and Cynthia, 1964.
John married Cynthia Powell in 1962, after learning she was pregnant. Their marriage was kept secret (or at least, kept quiet) for fear of fans being unable to accept it.
Brian Epstein and John Lennon.
In 1963, John went on holiday to Spain with the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein. The trip would provide fodder for gossip for years, since Epstein was gay. The 1991 film, The Hours and Times, was a dramatization of their visit.
His writing abilities were not limited to songwriting. John also wrote short stories and poems, and a collection "In His Own Write" was released in 1964, and was followed up with "A Spaniard in the Works" in 1965. (He can be heard reciting part of one of his poems "I Sat Belonely" in the film Help.)
Illustration for "I Sat Belonely" (In His Own Write)
John was also an artist, fond of sketching and doodling. His drawings were also featured in his books.
Publicity still for How I Won the War.
John also acted - in the 1967 film How I Won the War. He played a soldier, Private Gripweed, and his famous "Beatle cut" was a casualty. He also started wearing what would become his trademark round specs during filming.
When John married Yoko Ono in 1969, he intended to take her name as his own and be known as John Ono Lennon. Unable to alter his name officially, he had it legally amended to John Winston Ono Lennon.
He moved to New York in 1971, but because of his outspoken opposition to the war in Vietnam, he was denied permanent residency in the US for five years.
Julian and Sean today.
John's two sons, Julian and Sean (Cynthia's and Yoko's sons, respectively) are both musicians.
The now-infamous portrait of Lennon and Ono was taken by Annie Lebovitz just five hours before his death.
Lennon was killed outside his New York home by a mentally unstable fan thirty-one years ago today.
In light of the tone of this post, I'm not including any eyecandy. I'm sure you understand.
I promise, however, to post a special Friday blog with something for you to savor.
Ciao for now.
I promise, however, to post a special Friday blog with something for you to savor.
Ciao for now.
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