John Lennon

By: Jared O'Neill

John Lennon, born in 1940 in Liverpool, was, by 1969, one of the most famous people on the planet—a founding member of The Beatles and a restless, sharp-witted artist in the midst of radical personal and creative transformation. That year, Lennon was increasingly disillusioned with fame and the constraints of being a Beatle. He had fallen in love with avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, whose influence pushed him toward conceptual art, political activism, and self-reinvention. Together, they staged peace protests like the famous “Bed-Ins” and became outspoken critics of the Vietnam War and establishment values.

Lennon’s personality in this period was bold, sarcastic, idealistic, and confrontational. He could be cutting in conversation, brutally honest, and utterly unpredictable—yet also deeply vulnerable and searching. He had a sharp tongue, a sharp mind, and a growing desire to use his celebrity as a tool for change, even if it baffled or alienated his fans. 1969 was a turbulent year for him, both creatively and emotionally, as he began to break away from The Beatles and seek a new identity as an artist, activist, and man.