(Credits: Far Out / Alamy)
Sun 16 November 2025 13:00, UK
While John Lennon may be frequently regarded as one of the most formidable and influential songwriters of all time, he’s not often remembered in the same way for his guitar-playing ability.
Of course, that’s not to suggest that he wasn’t up to scratch, as there are plenty of wonderful guitar lines that he played during his time with The Beatles, and during his solo career, but in terms of raw ability, it’s usually his counterpart in George Harrison who is more highly regarded on the six-string.
Besides, when The Beatles first emerged, none of them exactly had the most flair on their respective instruments, and the earliest live performances of the band were somewhat rough around the edges.
Having gained a significant amount of influence from the rock and roll movement of the 1950s, it’s no surprise that Lennon initially picked up the instrument and wanted to teach himself how to play along with his heroes, but those who he admired the most were often known for being virtuosic players, which is something that the younger Lennon certainly wasn’t within an instant. He had to try incredibly hard to get where he did, and with persistence, he became considerably more adept at the instrument.
However, he was willing to admit that he wasn’t at the same level as his idols, and that when he first began to play guitar, it was a struggle for him to figure out how to raise his ability to the next level.
“When I got the [first] guitar I’d play it for a little bit then give up, then take it up again,” he revealed in a 1971 interview. “It took me about two years, on and off, to be able to strum tunes without thinking. I think I had one lesson, but it was so much like school that I gave up.”
As usual, it was sheer persistence that got him to where he ended up. Once he binned off the lessons and started figuring things out on his own – which, let’s be honest, is how plenty of people really learn – he managed to work out how to play along with a few of his favourite tunes. That said, there was still one track that properly did his head in, no matter how many times he gave it a go.
“I learnt mostly by picking up bits here and there,” he continued. “I learnt the solos on ‘Johnny B Goode’ and ‘Carol’, but I couldn’t play the one on ‘Blue Suede Shoes’. In those days I was very much influenced by Chuck Berry, Scotty Moore and Carl Perkins.”
While The Beatles were known for performing their own version of Berry’s ‘Carol’, which they recorded a live version of at BBC’s Maida Vale studio in 1963, Lennon was only playing rhythm guitar on the recording, with Harrison on lead. Several years down the line, during the recording sessions for Let It Be, they would record an outtake of a medley of songs which featured Perkins’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, which he also left Harrison to play lead guitar on. It’s not known whether Lennon finally mastered the solo, but if we’re being perfectly honest, it’s probably for the best that he left things to Harrison anyway.
Related Topics
The Far Out Beatles Newsletter
All the latest stories about The Beatles from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.