John Lennon's insecurity until star changed his mind revealed by Paul McCartney

01 February 2024 , 18:37

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John Lennon with specs in 1963 (Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that John Lennon only started wearing his glasses when Buddy Holly made them cool.

Macca said: “John had these horn-rimmed glasses at the time. If ever there would be a girl coming round, John would whip his glasses off... and squint. “But when Buddy came along, the glasses stayed on.” John changed to smaller, round NHS-style frames in 1966, for his role in the film How I Won the War. Sir Paul was speaking on a Radio 2 show marking 65 years since Holly’s death, aged 22, in an air crash, which is aired tomorrow. He also told host Bob Harris the Beatles were in awe of Holly, as he sang and played guitar at the same time. He said: “We thought, this is what we have to do.”

• Celebrating Music’s Greatest Stars, 1am tomorrow, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds

Nicola Methven