34 Montagu Square, Marylebone, London

1965 - 1966

The groundfloor and basement of this property was owned by Ringo Starr, who lived here from early 1965. After the birth of his son, Zak, Ringo and his wife moved out and he let the property to Paul McCartney. McCartney used it as a demo studio and a base close to the Abbey Road Studios less than two miles away.

1966 - 1967  The flat was then leased to Jimi Hendrix, his manager Chas Chandler and their girlfriends, soon after Hendrix's arrival in the UK in the autumn of 1966. Parts of Hendrix's first album 'Are You Experienced' were written here. Depending on which story you believe, he was evicted by Starr for either throwing white wash on the walls, or painting the walls black!

1968 - 1969

Following the break up of John Lennon's marriage to Cynthia, he moved into the property in July 1968. Throughout this period John completed work with the rest of the group on the White Album.  It was in the basement that the notorious naked Two Virgins LP cover was photographed and then on 18th October ’68 the police raided the flat discovering small amounts of cannabis leading to his and Yoko Ono's arrest.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono leaving Marylebone Magistrates Court after being charged with cannabis possession and obstructing police. Lennon later pleaded guilty and took sole responsibility fearing Ono's deportation, and was fined £150. 

Plaque unveiled on October 23rd 2010

Mark Lewisohn, Beatles historian, speaking to the BBC:- 

"The period in 1968 when John and Yoko lived at 34 Montagu Square was full of incident and interest, and it's fitting that John's occupancy should be marked in the month he would have turned 70.

"With two other Beatles and Jimi Hendrix also living here in the space of three eventful years, it's hard to think of any other London flat that better embodies the enduring fascination with that period."