When released in 1970, “Mother,” the stark and startling album opener of John Lennon’s first post-Beatles solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, signaled a change in John’s songwriting, away from third person narratives and towards a more autobiographical, confessional style. Inspired by the primal scream psychotherapy he and wife Yoko Ono had been practicing with Dr.

From the haunting, funereal bells and emotional wails of opening track “Mother,” it was immediate – John Lennon’s first solo studio album was unlike anything he had made before. Recorded in 1970, shortly after the demise of The Beatles, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band saw John stripping away the artifice and ornamentation for a visceral artistic exorcism that was confessional, raw, painfully honest, and revelatory.

In the fall of 2017, when Little Steven landed in Liverpool on his sold out European tour with his newly reformed band the Disciples of Soul in support of Soulfire, his first new album in nearly two decades, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician, songwriter and lifelong Beatles fan played an extraordinary surprise set outside of the legendary Cavern Club as a tribute to the seminal band that inspired him and so many others to pick up a guitar and start a band after witnessing their musical revolution on “The Ed Sullivan S

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of George Harrison's classic solo album, All Things Must Pass, the George Harrison Estate is pleased to announce a new 2020 stereo mix of the LP’s title song as a prelude of what’s to come.

The new stereo mix of the seminal album’s title track was overseen by multi- GRAMMY® Award winner, Paul Hicks, known for his work with the Harrison Estate, The Beatles and this year’s chart-topping albums by The Rolling Stones (Goat’s Head Soup) and John Lennon (Gimme Some Truth).

TOMMY EMMANUEL, the acclaimed and Grammy-nominated acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter, has today (October 9) released a newly recorded acoustic instrumental of John Lennon’s classic “Imagine” as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl single exclusive for independent retail on November 13 in the U.S. and December 18 internationally. A video for the Nashville-based artist’s stirring version of “Imagine” has also been released today, the same day Lennon would have been 80 years old.

Today, October 9, marks what would have been the legendary John Lennon’s 80th birthday. Although gone for nearly 40 years – the same amount of time he was on Earth, the musician, songwriter and peace activist’s timeless and beloved music -  with The Beatles, his collaborations with his widow Yoko Ono Lennon and his acclaimed solo works – continues to thrill, inspire and lately resonate more than ever.

The Empire State Building will shine its world-famous tower lights in sky blue with a white peace sign rotating in the mast tonight, Thursday, October 8, 2020, in partnership with the John Lennon Estate and Universal Music Group to celebrate John Lennon’s life and legacy ahead of what would have been his 80th birthday, Friday, October 9. The lights will illuminate at sunset (approx. 6:25 pm EDT) and stay on until 2 am EDT.

“Congratulations to Rupert on his 100th birthday.  The great thing is he never looks a day older.  Having been a fan of his since my early days in Liverpool, I know what he means to generations of young and old kids.  In his character and attitudes to the world, he sums up the best of British tradition and reminds us of an innocence we would all love to cherish.  So, congratulations, my little bear.  Your fans are celebrating your 100th birthday, and I, for one, think you deserve a telegram from the Queen.”  

In honor of John Lennon’s 80th birthday, the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (JLSC) have announced a partnership with Gibson Gives--the iconic American instrument brand’s charitable arm--to support musicianship, music education and songwriting for people of all ages.

In everything he did, John Lennon spoke his truth and questioned the truth. An incomparable and uncompromising artist who strove for honesty and directness in his music, he laid bare his heart, mind and soul in his songs, seeing them as snapshots of his current emotions, thoughts and world view. Believing the one quality demanded of himself as an artist was to be completely honest, he did not disguise what he had to say or conform his messages to be more in line with what he felt others thought they should be.