In our previous articles, we looked at stamps honoring famous figures like Clint Eastwood, John F. Kennedy, Bob Dylan, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Paul McCartney, Judy Garland, George Orwell, Neil Armstrong, Leonard Cohen, and Ray Charles. Today, we’ll take a look back at John Lennon and The Beatles, and revisit some of their most important songs.
John Lennon was born in Liverpool in 1940, during a German air raid in World War II. After his parents separated and his father left, he was raised mainly by his Aunt Mimi. Still, his mother Julia remained a strong influence, teaching him to play the banjo and encouraging his love of music. Growing up in post-war Britain was difficult, and at 17 he suffered the tragic loss of his mother in a car accident - an event that deeply shaped both his life and his music.
Gibraltar – 1999
Lennon was a clever but rebellious boy who cared more about art and music than schoolwork, and this passion led him to form his first band, The Quarrymen. Inspired by skiffle and the energy of 1950s rock ’n’ roll, the group laid the foundation for what would become The Beatles.
Gibraltar - 1999
In 1960, Lennon and Paul McCartney, joined by George Harrison and later Ringo Starr, formed The Beatles in Liverpool. As co-lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Lennon helped define the band’s sound and style. His songwriting partnership with McCartney became one of the greatest in history, producing songs that changed rock music forever.
UK – 2007
With groundbreaking albums, bold lyrics, and a daring new image, The Beatles transformed youth culture and became the most influential band of the 20th century. Lennon’s sharp humor and rebellious edge gave the group much of its character, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire today.
UK - 2007
After The Beatles, Lennon kept breaking new ground. In 1968 and 1969, he and Yoko Ono created three experimental albums: Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions, and Wedding Album. In the early 1970s, he moved toward a powerful solo career, releasing anthems like Imagine and Give Peace a Chance, which reflected his strong political voice and message of peace. Lennon’s activism made him both admired and controversial, but it ensured his ideas reached far beyond music.
John Lennon
USA - 2018
On December 8, 1980, his life was cut short when he was shot outside his home in New York, The Dakota, by Mark David Chapman - a troubled fan who claimed inspiration from J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Lennon’s death shocked the world, but his influence as a musician, activist, and cultural icon lives on, inspiring new generations decades later.
UN - 2021
Today we looked at some beautiful John Lennon stamps from around the world. You can take a peek at John Lennon’s stamp album. And while you wait for the next article, feel free to explore some of the earlier ones.
Celebrities on Stamps: Bob Dylan
Celebrities on Stamps: David Bowie
Celebrities on Stamps: Pink Floyd
Celebrities on Stamps: The Rolling Stones
Celebrities on Stamps: John F. Kennedy
Celebrities on Stamps: Clint Eastwood
Celebrities on Stamps: Marilyn Monroe
Celebrities on Stamps: Paul McCartney
Celebrities on Stamps: Judy Garland
Celebrities on Stamps: George Orwell
Celebrities on Stamps: Neil Armstrong
