Early Life and Liverpool Roots
John Winston Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940. As a teenager, he grew up in a working-class city shaped by postwar Britain and skiffle music. He attended Dovedale Primary School and later Quarry Bank High School, where he was known as a rebellious but creative student.
Influences and Early Music
Lennon was drawn to rock and roll and skiffle as a teenager, influenced by artists such as Elvis Presley and Lonnie Donegan. He formed his first group, The Quarrymen, around 1957, playing skiffle and early rock songs at local events. He also absorbed the culture of Liverpool's music clubs and radio, which helped shape his songwriting style.
School, Bands, and Early Performances
At school, Lennon often clashed with authority but showed talent in art and music. He met Paul McCartney at a church fete in 1957, and McCartney soon joined The Quarrymen. The group later evolved into The Beatles, performing at local venues such as The Cavern Club. Early experiences in Liverpool gave Lennon a foundation in live performance and songwriting that defined his later career. Learn more about John Lennon's early life
