It’s John Lennon’s Yearbook Photo!

Yes, it's Beatles and solo star John Lennon, who is responsible for writing and performing some of the most important music in rock history. Oh, and for changing the world's culture a couple of times, too.

Born Oct. 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England, Lennon met up with Paul McCartney 17 years later. He quickly invited the fellow budding musician to join his band. A year later they recruited George Harrison. In 1962 the band -- now known as the Beatles -- released their first single. They quickly became the biggest pop culture sensation the world has ever seen, and spent the next eight years repeatedly expanding the boundaries of rock music while also shaping the cultural and political views of an entire generation.

After the group's 1970 breakup, Lennon stayed active as a solo artist, retaining his popularity even as his music got more personal, political and controversial. His 1980 murder, right in the midst of a comeback from a self-imposed retirement, is among the most tragic events in music history.