Birth of John Lennon
Birth of John Lennon in Liverpool
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
John Winston Lennon Biography and Timeline
Follow John Winston Lennon through 133 dated historical records for Great Britain.
John Winston Lennon, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
133Distinct records
1 of 4Page
1940–1963Years on this page
1940
Birth of John Lennon
Birth of John Lennon during wartime Liverpool.
1945
Education
John Lennon starts at Doverdale Primary School
1952
Education
John Lennon starts at Quarry Bank High School. John Lennon starts at Liverpool College of Art where he meets Cynthia Powell, his future wife, and Stuart Sutcliffe
Liverpool College of Art
John Lennon starts at Liverpool College of Art where he meets Cynthia Powell, his future wife, and Stuart Sutcliffe
1956
Beatles, The
Julia, John Lennons mother, buys him his first guitar through a mail order ad, his incessant playing prompts Johns Aunt Mimi to say, "The guitars all very well as a hobby, John, but youll never make a living out of it."
Quarrymen
John Lennon forms his first group, The Quarrymen
1957
Quarrymen
1st public performance of the Quarrymen skiffle group, in Rosebery St carnival
Beatles, The
John Lennon meets Paul McCartney at the Woolton Parish Church in Liverpool during a performance by John's group the Quarrymen, impressed by Pauls ability to tune a guitar and by his knowledge of song lyrics, John asks him to join.
Quarrymen
John Lennon meets Paul McCartney at the Woolton Parish Church in Liverpool during a performance by John's group the Quarrymen, impressed by Pauls ability to tune a guitar and by his knowledge of song lyrics, John asks him to join.
Quarrymen
Performs with the Quarrymen at Woolton, where he meets Paul McCartney.
Quarrymen
John Lennon forms the Quarrymen skiffle group
1958
Beatles, The
Paul McCartney introduces George Harrison to the Quarrymen at a basement teen club called the Morgue, George joins the group
Quarrymen
Paul McCartney introduces George Harrison to the Quarrymen at a basement teen club called the Morgue, George joins the group
1959
Silver Beatles
The Silver Beetles fail an audition to back Billy Fury & are chosen to back Johny Gentle on a Scottish tour
Quarrymen
The Quarrymen are renamed Johnny and the Moondogs and fail an audition for "talent-show" Carroll Levis at Manchester Hippodrome
1960
Beatles, The
The Silver Beatles are renamed The Beatles for their 1st professional engagement at Neston Institute
Silver Beatles
The Silver Beatles are renamed The Beatles for their 1st professional engagement at Neston Institute
Education
John Lennon leaves Liverpool College of Art
Beatles, The
The Beatles make their debut in Hamburg, West Germany, with Stu Sutcliffe on bass and Pete Best on drums
Beatles, The
The Beatles open at the Indra night-club
Beatles, The
The Beatles make their debut at the Indra Club
Beatles, The
Becomes a founding member as the group develops into the Beatles.
1961
Cavern Club
The Beatles make their Cavern Club debut in Liverpool.
Cavern Club
Performs when the Beatles make their Cavern Club debut.
Beatles, The
A single "My Bonnie" by Tony Sheridan & backing by The Beatles is released in Germany
Beatles, The
Local record store manager Brian Epstein is introduced to the Beatles, he signs a contract to manage them
1962
Beatles, The
The Beatles fail an audition at Decca
Death of John Winston Lennon
The Beatles return to Hamburg to play at the Star-Club, but they learn that Stuart Sutcliffe had died a few hours before they arrived, this was another shock for Lennon, after losing Uncle George and Julia
Beatles, The
The Beatles finally sign a record contract with Parlophone Records after having been turned down by many labels
Parlaphone Records
The Beatles finally sign a record contract with Parlophone Records after having been turned down by many labels
Beatles, The
The Beatles audition for George Martin at Parlophone/EMI Records, he agrees to sign the group, but insists that Pete Best be replaced, within months, Richard "Ringo" Starkey joins the group
Beatles, The
The Beatles meet George Martin for 1st time, they record "Besame Mucho"
Beatles, The
The Beatles record their first sessions at EMI Studios in London, with George Martin as producer
Marriage
John Lennon marries Cynthia Powell
Beatles, The
The Beatles 1st recording session leads to their 1st single "Love Me Do"
Beatles, The
"Love Me Do" is released featuring Lennon on harmonica and McCartney singing solo on the chorus line
Beatles, The
The Beatles fail an audition at Decca. The Beatles are turned down by DECCA
1963
Beatles, The
The Beatles "Please Please Me" tops the UK charts
Birth of Julian Lennon
John Charles Julian Lennon is born to John and Cynthia Lennon at Sefton General Hospital in Liverpool.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.