Whilst there are a couple of figures that made strong claims, including Chuck Berry whom Lennon once described as rock and roll incarnate, we think it's safe to say that old 'Slowhand' himself, Eric Clapton, was Lennon's favourite ever guitarist.
Lennon had few favorite singers, like Bob Dylan, Chuck berry, and Eric clapton. But his favorite singer and was mostly influenced by Elvis Presley.
But while there's plenty of incredible musicians on Harrison's list, there can only be one true favourite, and that has to be Gary Moore.
Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley were his idols. In 1956, Lennon founded the Black Jacks, renamed the band as The Quarrymen and recruited Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
He was a well-known singer, songwriter, visionary artist, and social activist who was well-known for his music and songwriting. Lennon was influenced by the likes of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly as a young musician, and his work with The Beatles and solo career show how this influence continued into his music.
In fact, for much of The Beatles early songwriting career, he and Paul McCartney would trade their lyrics and songs and they'd both be undoubtedly influenced by one man, Chuck Berry.
Both Lennon and McCartney were drawn to Buddy Holly and The Cricket's name, charisma, and infectious sound. Holly was the one that influenced the duo to actually write and perform their own songs in the band (Krerowicz, par. 2).
Pete Shotton, known in Beatles lore as John Lennon's best friend during their childhood days in Liverpool and a member of Quarrymen, has passed away. He was 75.
Peter Shotton (4 August 1941 – 24 March 2017) was an English businessman and former washboard player. He is known for his long friendship with John Lennon of The Beatles. He was a member of The Quarrymen, the precursor of the Beatles, and remained close to the group during their career.
Ringo Starr and John Lennon held a strong bond that was never in doubt and, following the split of The Fab Four, the success that Starr had in his solo career made Lennon immensely happy.
During a chat with DJ Alan Freeman on his 1970s show Rock Around The World, George said he felt inferior in some ways to lead singer Paul, now 80. He said: “I had no confidence in myself as a guitar player having spent so many years with Paul McCartney, he ruined me as a guitar player.”
Eric Clapton described George Harrison as “magical” and “a genius” at how he brought music to life with his guitar, and he also marveled at how he could create the illusion of playing the guitar in such a way.
Eric Clapton was Harrison's closest friend, but he had actively pursued Pattie Boyd romantically while she was married to Harrison.
John Lennon's favourite songs:
'Rescue Me' – Fontella Bass. 'The Tracks of My Tears' – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. 'My Girl' – Otis Redding.
As teenagers, The Beatles, especially John Lennon, were strongly influenced by Elvis Presley. They started wearing their hair slicked back like Elvis. They admired his rebelliousness and his appeal to women, not to mention his musical talent. “Nothing affected me until I heard Elvis,” John Lennon said.
1. “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” Buddy Holly (1956) Originally written and recorded by Chuck Berry—whose 1964 rock hit “No Particular Place to Go” also made Lennon's playlist—”Brown Eyed Handsome Man” was first released as a B-Side to “Too Much Monkey Business” and later on Berry's 1957 debut After School Session.
The scathing 'How Do You Sleep' pulled no punches ("the only thing you done was yesterday"), with McCartney admitting to being genuinely hurt by the lyrics. But thankfully Lennon and McCartney rekindled their friendship in the years after the split, and they were on good terms when Lennon was murdered in 1980.
Lennon, 59, has had a close relationship with "Uncle Paul" since he was a child.
When the band arrived in Chicago in August 1966, Lennon held a press conference to publicly apologize. “I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing,” Lennon said. “I apologize if that will make you happy. I still don't know quite what I've done.
The closest friendship among the members of The Beatles is often considered to be the bond between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Peter's wife Loraine Alterman Boyle was a reporter for "Rolling Stone" magazine when they first met - he was in his full make-up for Young Frankenstein (1974). Through her friendship with Yoko Ono, Peter met and became best friends with ex-Beatle John Lennon. Lennon served as best man at their wedding.
At the time, Bowie and Lennon were great friends, and although the collaboration surprised many of their fans, very few were shocked at its brilliance.
It's easy to see why those two extremely popular British bands were pitted against each other, but when it came to innovations in the songwriting, arrangements, and production of pop music in the 1960s, The Beatles' greatest rivals were The Beach Boys.
The Beatles and Bob Dylan shared a rather one-way relationship, one which saw The Fab Four admire Dylan's unique talent for lyrics and craftmanship. It was an aspect that became a constant source of inspiration for the four friends from Merseyside.
Harrison later went on record stating he was frustrated because he had a growing backlog of new material, but constantly had to work on Lennon and McCartney's songs before the group could begin rehearsing his.