blue plaque · London

John Lennon

Photograph at the John Lennon blue plaque
Photograph via Open Plaques.

This plaque commemorates John Lennon, the renowned English musician and songwriter, recognizing his residency at this address in 1968. Lennon's impact on music is widely acknowledged, both through his work with The Beatles and his subsequent solo career. His compositions, such as the 1970 song "Mother," showcased his distinctive artistic voice. The presence of this plaque serves as a reminder of a period in his life when he inhabited this specific London home, marking a connection between the global musical icon and this particular place. His legacy continues to influence popular culture and songwriting.

Blue plaques in London denote a connection between a notable figure and a specific building, marking locations where people of significance once lived or worked. This program, managed by English Heritage, aims to foster public appreciation for the capital's history and the individuals who shaped it. The tradition evolved from earlier, less formal commemorative markers, establishing a consistent approach to celebrating historical links within the urban landscape. Such plaques contribute to the narrative of London's cultural heritage, allowing residents and visitors alike to discover the personal histories embedded within its architecture. They are a familiar sight throughout the city.

This blue plaque is affixed to the exterior of 34 Montagu Square, London. The building is situated in a residential area, and the plaque is easily visible from the street, allowing public access for viewing at any time. Visitors are encouraged to observe the plaque respectfully, acknowledging that it is located on a private residence. There are no specific visiting hours or entry requirements, as it is an external monument. The area is generally accessible by public transport, offering a straightforward way to reach this historical marker.

Inscription

John Lennon 1940-1980 musician and songwriter lived here in 1968
Transcribed from the blue plaque at 34 Montagu Square.

Background

"Mother" is a song by the English musician John Lennon, first released on his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. An edited version of the song was issued as a single in the United States on Apple Records, on 28 December 1970. The single edit runs 1:41 shorter than the album due to its quicker fade-out and removal of the tolling bells that start the song. The B-side features "Why" by Yoko Ono. The song peaked in the United States at number 19 on the Cashbox Top 100 and number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada the song reached number 12.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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