Video: 'Cynthia Lennon Tribute//Jealous Guy'

(Thursday, August 23, 1962, booked for late in the morning British Summer Time) — John Lennon, a 21-year-old English musician and member of the still largely unknown rock music band The Beatles, married his first wife, Cynthia Powell, 22, today at Mount Pleasant Register office in Liverpool, England.

Lennon’s fellow Beatles, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, attended the ceremony, and their manager, Brian Epstein, was the best man. Absent was John’s aunt Mimi, who disapproved of the union, although Cynthia’s half-brother and his wife were there.

As soon as the ceremony began, a pneumatic drill outside the building opposite drowned out all that was said; when the registrar asked for the groom to step forward, Harrison did, which only added to the farce.

At Epstein’s expense, they celebrated afterward at Reece’s restaurant in Clayton Square, eating a set menu of soup, chicken, and trifle. Reece’s was where John’s parents, Alf and Julia, celebrated their own wedding in 1938.

Lennon’s marriage began just as the band’s popularity was taking off after the addition of drummer Ringo Starr only five days before. He performed on the evening of his wedding day and would continue to do so almost daily from then on.

Epstein feared that fans would be alienated by the idea of a married Beatle, and he asked the Lennons to keep their marriage secret.

Powell was pregnant with Lennon’s child. Their son, Julian, would be born on April 8, 1963; Lennon was on tour at the time and did not see his infant son until three days later.

The Lennons would divorce in 1968 after John left Cynthia to be with avant-garde artist Yoko Ono.