John Lennon was a British musician, singer, songwriter, and activist, known for being one of the founders of the legendary rock band The Beatles. His message of peace made him a cultural icon and global influence for generations
On 20th March 1969, he chartered a private flight from Paris to Gibraltar to marry his then fiancée, Yoko Ono
The visit was kept a secret. On arrival the party made their way through the airport’s cargo corridor to avoid being seen and got straight into a car. They were married at the British consulate in a brief ceremony and then stayed at The Rock Hotel for two days. They left the hotel on 22nd march, signing our visitor room with “Staff most accommodating”. Lennon chose Gibraltar because it was the only place where they could get married quickly and is quoted as saying “Gibraltar because it is quiet, British and friendly”. Later he described the Rock as a very romantic place. “Gibraltar was like a sunny dream”. “We went there, and it was beautiful”. “It's the Pillars of Hercules”, and symbolically they called it ‘The End of the World’ at one period. So, we liked it in the symbolic sense, and the Rock foundation of our relationship.” Their marriage was a global event that inspired one of the Beatles’ most famous songs: The Ballad of John and Yoko.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono continued to make music and engage in activism together until Lennon's tragic assassination on 8th December 1980 in New York City. Their legacy lives on in their songs, artworks, and ideas.
Media:
John Lennon marries Yoko Ono
John Lennon and Yoko Ono arriving Gibraltar and getting married.
Gibraltar Chronicle Article
The Ballad of John and Yoko