John Lennon's 1964 Rickenbacker Rose Morris 1996
Musician
John Lennon
(English, 1940 - 1980)
Maker
Rickenbacker International Corporation
(American, founded 1931)
Date1964
ClassificationsMusic
DescriptionJohn Lennon's 1964 Rose-Morris, British Rickenbacker model 1996 guitar, serial number DE 519, in fireglo finish.Lennon acquired this guitar from Rose-Morris, the official UK importer of Rickenbacker guitars, in 1964 when his 1964 Rickenbacker 325 was damaged during a Christmas concert. Until then, The Beatles had dealt only directly with Rickenbacker in the United States. Lennon's urgent need for a replacement instrument allowed Rose-Morris previously impossible direct access to The Beatles opening the door for them to begin using the Beatles in their own ad campaigns. They famously initiated an ad campaign using the slogan "Rickenbacker the Beatle-backer" giving this guitar the nickname of "The Beatle-Backer."
Lennon played this guitar for the remainder of the 1964 Christmas shows. The guitar was also documented in photographs of Lennon's home music-room in 1967. When Ringo Starr briefly walked out on the band as tensions began to mount during the recording of the White Album, Lennon famously gave this guitar to Ringo as a peace offering, in hopes that it would encourage him to write more songs.
John Lennon (1940-1980) was a musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the co-lead vocalist and guitarist for The Beatles. Lennon and Paul McCartney served as the primary songwriters for The Beatles, and their collaboration is credited as one of the most successful musical outputs of all time. Lennon was born in Liverpool, England where he was raised by his aunt, Mimi Smith. In 1956, Lennon received his first guitar and formed a band, the Quarrymen. While playing with the Quarrymen, Lennon met Paul McCartney and George Harrison who joined the skiffle and rock and roll group. The band changed their name to The Beatles in 1960.
Lennon and The Beatles released their first single in 1962, "Love Me Do," and their debut album, Please Please Me, in 1963. By 1964, the band had reached international stardom, with Beatlemania taking over both European and American airwaves. The Beatles toured extensively from 1964 to 1966, when they became a studio band. Their initial rock and roll sound transformed into new styles, with influences of the 1960s psychedelic and counterculture movements - led by Lennon's anti-war and protest activism. After the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970, Lennon embarked on a solo career. His 1971 album Imagine and its title track became his most popular solo release. Lennon left the music world during the mid-1970s, returning to the studio in 1980 for the album Doubly Fantasy.
On December 8, 1980, Lennon was shot and killed outside of his apartment building in New York City by a disillusioned fan of The Beatles. Lennon is remembered as one of the most influential musicians of all time. His work with The Beatles is credited with shaping the musical landscape of the 20th century. His early demise led to many tributes by his friends and colleagues such as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Elton John, and the other Beatles.
3D Model
