Number 9

Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... yes the number 9... John Lennon's number, a number that permeated his whole life appearing in all the places that told him he was on the right path...

Lennon was born on Wednesday 9 October 1940 (some reports say at 6.30am) in Liverpool.

The first home he lived in was at 9 Newcastle Road, Wavertree, Liverpool - three names which each contain nine letters. Newcastle Road was his grandfather's house, and while living there Lennon later wrote One After 909.

I lived in 9 Newcastle Road. I was born on the ninth of October, the ninth month [sic]. It's just a number that follows me around, but, numerologically, apparently I'm a number six or three or something, but it's all part of nine.

John Lennon, 1980
All We Are Saying, David Sheff

Numerous events throughout Lennon's life were connected with the number nine, or numbers which add up to nine.

• Lennon travelled on the number 72 bus to Liverpool Art College, where he was friends with Stuart Sutcliffe.
• His first meeting in 1957 with Paul McCartney proved a pivotal role in Lennon's life. McCartney's surname has nine letters, as does Sutcliffe's.
• The group became The Beatles in 1960, and disbanded in 1970, nine years later.
• The Beatles' first appearance at the Cavern Club was on 9 February 1961.
• Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager, first saw them perform on 9 November 1961.
• The group's contract with EMI was confirmed on 9 May 1962.
• The Beatles' debut single, Love Me Do, was on Parlophone R4949.
• Their record-breaking debut appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was on 9 February 1964.

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