John Lennon changes his middle name to Ono

John Lennon formally changed his middle name by deed poll from Winston to Ono, during a brief ceremony held on the roof of the Apple building at 3 Savile Row, London.

The ceremony was carried out before Bueno de Mesquita, Commissioner of Oaths. Lennon had never liked his middle name, which had been given to him during a bout of wartime patriotism.

Yoko changed her name for me. I’ve changed mine for her. One for both, both for each other. She has a ring. I have a ring. It gives us nine ‘O’s between us, which is good luck. Ten would not be good luck.
John Lennon, 1969

Technically, Lennon was unable to lose the Winston from his name, as UK law dictates that a person is unable to fully revoke a name given at birth. As a result, his official name became John Winston Ono Lennon, with the ten ‘O’s he wished to avoid.

Afterwards Lennon and Ono went to EMI Studios at Abbey Road where they recorded the track John And Yoko, which became side one of their Wedding Album.

John Lennon changes his middle name to Ono, 22 April 1969

Last updated: 2 June 2020
Recording, mixing: I Want You (She's So Heavy), Oh! Darling
Recording, mixing: John And Yoko
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