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The blue plaque erected to John Lennon at 34 Montagu Square is one of those blue plaques that only tells half the story.
Once described as the ‘ultimate rock and roll pad’ it was first occupied by Ringo Star who bought the flat in 1965. After moving out, he let the flat to Paul McCartney who built a small recording studio in the basement and invited scores of his art and films friends to join him. Ringo Star then let the flat to Jimi Hendrix, who held so many parties that the neighbours complained, and Star had to ask Hendrix to leave.
The next tenant was John Lennon, and it was from here the famous photo was taken of John and Yoko in the nude for the cover of his album Unfinished Music No 1 (sometimes known as the Two Virgins). In 1968 the flat was raided by police for drugs, who read a warrant through the bedroom window and then broke down the front door.
After John’s conviction Ringo was forced by the landlords to sell the apartment, so ending rock’s brief, but eventful time here.