Throughout 2023 we’re shining a light on some of those who inspire us throughout history and from around the world. Pioneers in science, technology, music, sport and beyond!
These incredible people can be found highlighted on our website home page too, but in these articles, we take a closer look at their stories and why we’re celebrating them.
This May, we’re celebrating musical legend John Lennon.
Born in Liverpool, October 1940, John was born into a troubled family and spent much of his childhood with his mother’s sister (who told John he’d never make a living as a musician!). He kept in touch with his mother however, who would play him Elvis Presley records and taught him the banjo.
In 1956 she bought him his first guitar and soon after he formed a skiffle band called The Quarrymen where he Paul McCartney. In 1960 they would go on to form The Beatles.
A chronical of the Beetle’s would be a book in its own right, although it is worth saying that John was de-facto leader alongside Paul and was sometimes called “the Smart Beatle”. The band quickly grew to global stardom with 13 award winning albums that has made them the bestselling artist (and one of the most influential) of all time.
Suffice it to say John’s legacy and that of the Beatles is unavoidably intertwined!
Alongside his musical work, John produced films (often with a socio-political commentary) and was a vocal peace activist throughout the late 50’s and 60’s.
In 1969 he married artist, musician, and activist, Yoko Ono, who he was quite infatuated with by this point. They moved to New York in 1971 and – as a result of their anti-war activism –became a target of the pro-war US Nixon administration who ordered their deportation.
In the 1970’s John went on to collaborate with various artists including Elton John and David Bowie as well as releasing solo work and projects with Yoko Ono. However – tragically – he was shot and killed by a lifelong fan of The Beatles who seemingly developed a resentment for Lennon’s fame in October 1980.
John’s mark on music and indeed the world is massive: including 25 number-one singles on US charts and over 14 million album sales in the US alone. He was made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1965 alongside his fellow Beatles, possesses a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and is almost equally famous for his passionate peace activism.
“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality”.
What John means to us.
Although it was cut tragically short, John lived a full and rich life that we’ve barely scratched the surface of here. His creativity, passion and vision for a better world have inspired millions around the world ever since the days the Beatles first formed.
Here we’ll try and draw some parallels and show where John inspires us too!
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world can live as one.”
John probably didn’t intend this parallel in his lyrics, but that message of togetherness and vision resonates deeply with us here at gravity9 for two reasons.
Firstly, we work to push the boundaries of technology and to see a way forward where others see barriers. We seek to remove walls, rather than be constrained by obstacles. Hopefully our dreams remain realistic – but we have vision.
Secondly, John’s message of togetherness – meant as an appeal for global peace – speaks to us of our comradery and teamwork. We pull together in the same direction, operating in harmony and with a shared goal.
“The more I see, the less I know for sure.”
Another twofold message – that there’s always room to keep learning and growing – and that we should never be ashamed to admit that we aren’t certain… to admit that our convictions can be challenged.
This process of continuous growth, learning, and questioning will lead to better results in everything we do both as individuals and as a company. It’s a positive that drives our hunger for knowledge and improvement.
“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”
This quote isn’t one of John’s! It actually comes from author Malcolm Gladwell in his book; “Outliers: The Story of Success” in which he examines successful people to see what improves one’s potential for success.
Gladwell talks about the “10,000-hour rule” first put forward by Anders Ericsson. A simplified version of it might be “practice makes perfect” and in the case of Lennon and the Beatles, they performed in Hamburg, Germany alone over 1,200 times between ’60 and ’64 alone!
At gravity9 we’ve built our team from experienced professionals in their fields; coming together to make a company who are passionate, seasoned, and (through our work and our genuine interest in technology), keep practicing what we do to ensure we’re the best!