John Lennon - From Buddy Holly Wannabe to Legend
                     John Lennon - From 
Buddy Holly Wannabe 
to Legend

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, John 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.
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 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.
HELEN ANDERSON DESIGN
WEBSITE - HTTPS://WWW.HELENANDERSONDESIGNS.COM/
EMAIL - [email protected]