Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This week will mark the 85th birth anniversary of the man who was first introduced to the world as “The Smart Beatle”. John Winston Ono Lennon was born in Liverpool, England on October 9, 1940. His parents did not have a stable marriage (his father was a seamen who was away a lot) so eventually Lennon was raised by his Aunt Mimi Smith after her sister & John’s mother, Julia, gave her custody when her son was nearly four. Two years before her death in 1958 from being struck by a car, she bought her son his first guitar in 1956, the same year he formed The Quarryman group.

At their second performance, Lennon met Paul McCartney & invited him to join the band. By 1960, George Harrison was invited by McCartney to join the group that by this time was renamed The Beatles. Two years later, the addition of Ringo Starr completed the lineup that would change the world.

This December will mark the 60th anniversary of The Beatles seminal album, Rubber Soul. And that comes in a year where we already celebrated the 60th anniversary of 1965’s Help! movie & album and the historic Shea Stadium show along with the 55th anniversary of 1970’s Let It Be. Still, Lennon has his own significant landmarks this year as well.

Fifty-five years ago in December 1970, he released his first solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

His songs explored the death of his mother, his disillusionment with life, fame, heroes & everything else that is supposed to make people happy. Lennon was writing the tracks as he approached his 30th birthday, after his time as a Beatle for nearly a decade came to an end and made him more rich & famous than most people would ever be, and he just wanted to be John. He wanted to live a much smaller existence with the woman he loved.

Five years later Lennon had a life altering year. It started 50 years ago in February 1975 with the release of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the album he made in tribute to his musical heroes.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It includes covers of songs by Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly, amongst others. That album was followed by a greatest hit compilation, Shaved Fish, released in October 1975. That month Lennon turned 35 and on his birthday, he became a father for the second time with the birth of his son, Sean. That led Lennon to put his musical career on hold so he could focus on fatherhood. He spent the next five years as a self-described “house husband” (a/k/a a stay at home dad).

By 1980, he returned to his musical career. A summer of writing & recording resulted in Double Fantasy which was released on November 17, 1980.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On December 27, 1980, it became the third #1 album of his career (after Imagine in 1971 and Walls And Bridges in 1974), staying in the top spot for eight consecutive weeks. Double Fantasy’s first single, “(Just Like) Starting Over”, reached the top spot in the U.S. on the same day where it stayed for five consecutive weeks. The second single, “Woman”, peaked at #2 in March 1981 while the third single, “Watching The Wheels”, reached the #10 spot two months later.

Double Fantasy was the last album released in Lennon’s lifetime. He died 45 years ago on December 8, 1980. My heart is still broken.

Sending “limitless undying love” today & every day “across the universe” to the man who changed music & life for so many of us.

John Lennon circa 1980. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “You’re Going to Lose That Girl” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the 1965 album, Help!).

The Beatles: “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the 1965 album, Rubber Soul).

The Beatles: “In My Life” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the 1965 album, Rubber Soul).

The Dirty Mac: “Yer Blues” (As performed at “The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus” concert, December 1968. Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney. From the 1968 album, The Beatles).

The Beatles: “Dig A Pony” (written by John Lennon. From the 1970 album, Let It Be).

John Lennon: “God” (written by John Lennon. From the 1970 album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band).

John Lennon: “Just Because” (written by Lloyd Price. From the 1975 album, Rock ‘n’ Roll).

John Lennon: “I’m Losing You” (written by John Lennon. From the 1980 album, Double Fantasy).

Stay safe & well.