Pick a Day

Two days after their wedding in Gibraltar, John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their "Bed-in," inviting members of the media into their Amsterdam hotel room where they are promoting peace with songs, signs and dialogue. These events are outlined in the song "The Ballad of John and Yoko."

John Lennon marries Yoko Ono at the Rock of Gibraltar in Spain, which is still owned by Britain. The Beatles song "The Ballad of John and Yoko" describes their ordeal finding a location for the nuptials.

On the roof of Apple headquarters at 3 Savile Row, London, John Lennon has his name legally changed from John Winston Lennon to John Winston Ono Lennon.

Still on their honeymoon, John Lennon and Yoko Ono check in to the Queen Elizabeth Hotel (the "Hotel La Reine") in Montreal, where they start their second week-long "bed-in" for peace. At the end of their stay, they record "Give Peace A Chance" with a chorus that includes Timothy Leary, Tommy Smothers and Dick Gregory.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono record "Give Peace A Chance" to close out their "bed-in" in Montreal.More

The Beatles record John Lennon's song "Come Together" at Abbey Road Studios.

John Lennon makes his solo debut on the UK charts with "Give Peace A Chance."

John Lennon releases "Give Peace A Chance" in the US, a song he and Yoko, along with a chorus of guests, recorded at their "bed-in" in a Montreal hotel room.

John Lennon writes, rehearses, and records a song about his recent heroin withdrawal entitled "Cold Turkey," where he also puts into practice his recent introduction to "primal scream" therapy. Fans and critics are shocked and appalled by the emotionally raw recording, a prelude to his eventual Plastic Ono Band album.

John Lennon records "Cold Turkey."

John Lennon leaves The Beatles but agrees to not make an official announcement. The recording of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" marks the last time all four Beatles were together in the same studio.

John Lennon introduces the Plastic Ono Band at the Rock and Roll Revival Show in Toronto. The set is later released as the Live Peace In Toronto 1969 album. Basically a supergroup with revolving members headed by John and Yoko, they are credited for the single "Give Peace A Chance."

John Lennon and Yoko Ono release their Wedding Album LP (with a photo of their own wedding cake and a copy of their marriage certificate included).

John Lennon works on a Beatles song for the last time when he mixes "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)" at Abbey Road Studios. The song is used as the B-side of their "Let It Be" single.

As a protest against Britain's military involvement in foreign conflicts, John Lennon returns his MBE (Member of the British Empire) medal, with an attached letter that reads, puckishly, "Your Majesty, I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts. With love, John Lennon of Bag."

A BBC TV special declares John Lennon Man Of The Decade on the same day that Rolling Stone names him Man Of The Year and New Musical Express quotes him as saying he's thinking of leaving The Beatles.

John Lennon makes his last stage appearance in England when he performs with the Plastic Ono Band at the UNICEF "Peace For Christmas" charity concert in London. George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Keith Moon join him on stage.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono launch the "War Is Over" campaign with billboards declaring peace around the world.More

John Lennon writes and records "Instant Karma" all in one day, calling in Phil Spector to produce the song.

John Lennon's "Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)" hits its peak position of #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Returning to Abbey Road studios in London, ex-Beatle John Lennon begins work on his first proper solo album, John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band.

John Lennon releases "Mother."

John Lennon's "Instant Karma!" is certified Gold.

John Lennon releases his debut solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

John Lennon releases "Power to the People" in the US.

Each of the four ex-Beatles has a solo single on the UK chart: John Lennon - "Power to the People" Paul McCartney - "Another Day" Ringo Starr - "It Don't Come Easy" George Harrison - "My Sweet Lord"

John Lennon makes his first stage appearance since 1969 when he and Yoko Ono jam with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention at the Fillmore East in New York. The show is recorded and released as a bonus disc with the Lennon/Ono album Some Time In New York City.

John Lennon leaves England to start a new life with his wife, Yoko, in New York City. He never returns to England.

John Lennon releases Imagine in the US.

John Lennon's album Imagine is certified Gold.