A musical genius, an innovator, a peace activist-John Lennon was all these and more, and he continues to be revered a quarter century after his shocking murder in New York elevated him to mythic stature. Published to mark the 65th anniversary of Lennon's birth and the 25th anniversary of his death, this intimate album of 150 photographs-most of which have never been published before-offers a very personal view of the rock legend in his last decade by someone who had astounding access to his private life. Bob Gruen first photographed Lennon in 1971 and became his personal photographer and close friend shortly thereafter. Over the course of the next nine years, right up until Lennon was killed, Gruen would photograph him extensively. This book assembles the most revealing of those images, taken during Lennon's years in New York, together with Gruen's reflections on the circumstances surrounding the photos, including Lennon's relationship with Yoko Ono, how he dealt with fame, and his experiences with fatherhood. The result is a remarkable behind-the-scenes look at Lennon as a performer, a legend, and a person.