John Winston Lennon was born on Oct. 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England, and if it wasn’t for the actions of a deranged fan on Dec. 8, 1980, he would have turned 70 last Saturday.

Lennon was one of the founding members of arguably the greatest band of all time: The Beatles. He was an iconic solo artist and peace activist until his death. As the celebration of Lennon’s would-be 70th birthday drew closer, there were a number of tributes planned across the globe by Beatles fans, Lennon fans, and the community at large.

Last Saturday, a caricature of Lennon could be seen on Google and YouTube. In Liverpool, a monument was unveiled by Lennon’s oldest son Julian and ex-wife Cynthia to give fans a chance to honor the former Beatle in his hometown.

All of Lennon’s solo work was remastered and re-released for the occasion. Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono, former wife Cynthia, and sons Julian and Sean, united for the opening of Julian Lennon’s new photography exhibit in New York City. In addition to those accolades, the Weinstein Company released “Nowhere Boy,” a biopic film about John Lennon’s early life.

“Nowhere Boy” covers Lennon’s teenage years in Liverpool during the late 1950s. It gives an insightful look into the pained relationship with his mother Julia and maternal aunt Mimi, as well as the Elvis-inspired rock ‘n’ roll roots of the Fab Four.

The film features the brilliant directing debut of former artist Sam Taylor-Wood and the cocky yet emotional performance of “Kick-Ass” star Aaron Johnson.

Starting with the opening scene, which shows Lennon running from a group of screaming teenage girls, the movie takes viewers on a ride filled with early Lennon folklore and rock ‘n’ roll that any Beatles fanatic will go crazy for. But with a soundtrack filled with ’50s favorites and a powerful storyline, the film will hold its own even with anyone unfamiliar with the Beatles and its most iconic member. It is a must-see.