Celebrate the anniversary of John Lennon's 'Imagine' with a look back through his life and legacy
On September 9th, 1971, John Lennon released the iconic album, "Imagine."
John Lennon was a U.K singer-songwriter who rose to global fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of pop music. After forming a songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney, the two of them brought the band to fruition.
After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Lennon embarked on a solo career producing several smash hit records including "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine."
"Imagine" is Lennon's second solo studio album and is more heavily produced in contrast to the more raw and rudimental sound on his first album "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band." In 2012, "Imagine" was voted 80th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The album is even considered Lennon's best work while producing his most critically-acclaimed song -- the title track "Imagine" -- which sold 1.6 million copies in the U.K. and was co-produced by himself and Yoko Ono.
Lennon and Yoko Ono had an affair during the late 1960s and 70s. The two met and protested against the Vietnam War which blossomed into a relationship unbeknownst of Lennon's current wife at the time. Rumors suggest Ono miscarried a male child of Lennon's during this time. The two of them shared a relationship through much of the remainder of his life though.
Lennon died on the night of December 8th, 1980. Lennon and Ono returned to their New York apartment, when Mark David Chapman shot Lennon in the back four times at the entrance of the building. Lennon was taken to the emergency room of nearby Roosevelt Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival at 11:07 pm.
The song "Imagine" hit No.1 following Lennon's death.
Watch the "Imagine" official video below:
Click through for photos of John Lennon:
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