John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980) was an iconic 20th century composer and singer of popular music with Paul McCartney as Lennon-McCartney throughout the 1960s, and was the founding member of The Beatles. Lennon's songwriting was an integral part of The Beatles' profound commercial and critical impact. His melodies, written during the Lennon-McCartney era, and later, in his solo career, are distinctive and unashamedly romantic.