Raised by aunt Mary Elizabeth Smith in Liverpool after parents separated

Started first music group, "The Quarrymen"

Paul McCartney and George Harrison join the group

Newly-named "Beatles" discovered by promoter Brian Epstein; first commercial record, "My Bonnie"

EMI signed group (which now included Ringo Starr); first hit records released

Beatles rocketed to worldwide stardom

Meets Yoko Ono at London art gallery

Lennon and Ono arrested "for possession of cannabis"

Married Yoko Ono, holds "Bed-In for Peace", legally changes middle name to "Ono"; forms "Plastic Ono Band"; returns MBE to Queen Elizabeth

Best-selling album "Imagine" released

Last public performance (November 28) at Madison Square Garden

Given resident status in US after years of wrangling with State Department

Shot to death by deranged fan, Mark David Chapman, outside of NYC home on December 8