15 Photos of John Lennon on the Anniversary of His Death

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The Beatles—John Lennon,Paul McCartney,George HarrisonandRingo Starr(not pictured) — backstage before a show at the height of the “Beatlemania” craze.

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The Beatles during their historicEd Sullivan Showperformance in 1964.

03of 15APLennon with McCartney — the songwriting pairingThe Sunday Timescalled"the greatest composers since Beethoven."

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AP

Lennon with McCartney — the songwriting pairingThe Sunday Timescalled"the greatest composers since Beethoven."

04of 15APThe Beatles exerted a never-before-seen grip on popular cultlure, mingling with figures from virtually every other walk of life — they’re pictured above withMuhammad Ali.

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The Beatles exerted a never-before-seen grip on popular cultlure, mingling with figures from virtually every other walk of life — they’re pictured above withMuhammad Ali.

05of 15Michael Ochs Archives/GettyLennon with the rest of the Beatles in 1965.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Lennon with the rest of the Beatles in 1965.

06of 15APMany of Lennon’s personal affectations became popular crazes, from his so-called “granny glasses” to the sideburns he favored later in the Beatles' career.

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Many of Lennon’s personal affectations became popular crazes, from his so-called “granny glasses” to the sideburns he favored later in the Beatles' career.

07of 15Everett CollectionThe Beatles in a rare outtake from theSgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band’s album cover shoot, considered one of the watershed moments in “psychedelic” style and fashion.

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Everett Collection

The Beatles in a rare outtake from theSgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band’s album cover shoot, considered one of the watershed moments in “psychedelic” style and fashion.

08of 15GAB Archive/Redferns/GettyIt’s rare for lightning to strike twice, but the Beatles managed to have a hard timenotmaking icons of themselves, as in the widely imitated cover ofAbbey Road.

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GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty

It’s rare for lightning to strike twice, but the Beatles managed to have a hard timenotmaking icons of themselves, as in the widely imitated cover ofAbbey Road.

09of 15Ron Howard/RedfernsLennon left the Beatles in 1970.

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Ron Howard/Redferns

Lennon left the Beatles in 1970.

10of 15APLennon andYoko Onoin N.Y.C. in 1975, ahead of that year’sGrammy Awards.

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Lennon andYoko Onoin N.Y.C. in 1975, ahead of that year’sGrammy Awards.

11of 15Alpha PressOno and Lennon pictured with a youngDavid Bowie; Lennon cowrote Bowie’s “Fame” in 1975.

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Alpha Press

Ono and Lennon pictured with a youngDavid Bowie; Lennon cowrote Bowie’s “Fame” in 1975.

12of 15Lennon and Yoko Ono at President Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 1977. As the pair became more and more politically active, they expanded their circle from just music and art.

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Lennon and Yoko Ono at President Jimmy Carter’s Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 1977. As the pair became more and more politically active, they expanded their circle from just music and art.

13of 15Courtesy Yoko OnoLennon pictured in June 1980during a vacationhe took to Bermuda.

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Courtesy Yoko Ono

Lennon pictured in June 1980during a vacationhe took to Bermuda.

14of 15Courtesy Yoko OnoLennon and sonSeanontheir Bermuda vacationin June 1980. He also had sonJulianwith ex Cynthia Lennon.

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Lennon and sonSeanontheir Bermuda vacationin June 1980. He also had sonJulianwith ex Cynthia Lennon.

15of 15Courtesy Nate D. Sanders AuctionsOne of the last photos of Lennon ever,taken just two daysbefore his death.

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Courtesy Nate D. Sanders Auctions

One of the last photos of Lennon ever,taken just two daysbefore his death.

source: people.com