For many years, John Lennon has been seen as the crazed and eccentric Beatle who provided some of the most memorable melodies the music world has ever known. After remaking pop in his own image with The Beatles, the erstwhile would-be artist and Liverpudlian reprobate went on to carve out a significant solo career, with the enigmatic Yoko Ono at his side. Following his murder in 1980, his work and life took on mythic status, his role as mentor to a musical generation assured.

Alan Clayson sets out to discover the truth behind the myth of this most controversial, antagonistic, yet publicly adored genius of the 20th century.