John Lennon - From Buddy Holly Wannabe to Legend

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John Lennon - From Buddy Holly Wannabe to Legend
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Every Beatles fan will have a favorite
incarnation of John Lennon's public persona. For
some, it will always be the fresh-faced,
mop-topped cheeky chap of the 60s. Others prefer
the edgier image that came with the peak of
Beatlemania. Many will always associate Lennon
with his sage, long-haired look during the
Sergeant Pepper years. For Helen Anderson, a
lifelong friend of John Lennon and designer of
some of his iconic appearances, J ohn Lennon and
Buddy Holly were initially linked. When Anderson
met Lennon as a sprightly 17-year-old at
Liverpool College of Art, it was Buddy Holly
that John Lennon was seemingly taking aesthetic
inspiration from though it was another pop
sensation that sparked the meeting of these two
creative minds. Helen Anderson met Lennon when
he asked if she was "the bird that drew Lonnie
Donegan." This was a reference to Anderson's
artwork, which included a commissioned portrait
of the King of Skiffle featured in the national
press. A firm fan of Donegan, Lennon noted this
and paid attention to the artist who had
successfully captured his likeness.
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Helen Anderson always knew that John Lennon was
potentially something special, though even she
would admit to having no idea just how famous The
Beatles would become. However, when she first
laid eyes on a spotty teenage John Lennon, Buddy
Holly came to mind. Lennon was sporting square
glasses commonly associated with Holly and
greased back hair in a Teddy Boy
fashion. Whether sported by John Lennon or Buddy
Holly, the look was popular in 1959. Of course,
Lennon would change his appearance in short
order. Who can say if he, and The Beatles, would
not have enjoyed the same success if that wasn't
the case? All the same, John Lennon's Buddy Holly
era has been immortalised by Helen
Anderson. Ever keen to practice her craft,
Anderson sketched John Lennon in his Buddy Holly
glasses and hair. It was warts and all portrait,
including a dose of teenage acne, acting as a
reminder that even the legendary John Lennon
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was once an awkward teenager, just like you and
I. The sketch is now immortalized in the My
Buddy John range of clothing. Just like John
Lennon, Buddy Holly died tragically young.
Thankfully, John Lennon and Buddy Holly both
left behind an evergreen legacy of wonderful
music. Lennon's look may have evolved over time,
but his Holly-aping era will remain part of his
unique charm and personal journey. Source
https//www.fuzia.com/article_detail/304081/john-l
ennon-from-buddy-holly-wa nnabe-to-legend
h ttps//www.helenandersondesigns.com/
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