Joe Perry reveals the ways in which John Lennon was genuinely ahead of his era.
(Credits: Far Out / Joe Perry)
On January 27, 2026, it's hard to find a guitarist who exudes as much rock and roll charisma as Joe Perry.
When comparing Perry to other iconic guitarists from the British invasion, he combines the fashionable flair and performance style of legends like Jimmy Page and Keith Richards with a generous splash of American blues and boogie. This unique blend helped him carve out remarkable moments in his early career as a guitar hero. However, while he was paving the way for many American rock stars, some of his favorite bands were exploring even bolder territories than he could imagine, both on and off the stage.
Though Perry is undoubtedly an exceptional guitarist, he never aimed to emulate the same kind of guitar prowess as Jeff Beck. His playing features a distinct style, yet when you listen to his solos, you'll notice they are more riff-oriented and rhythmically attuned to the drums, rather than focused on being overly flashy, especially in contrast to what his bandmate Brad Whitford was doing.
Perry’s influences clearly stemmed from the Keith Richards school of lead guitar playing, which worked in his favor. This approach allowed him to produce catchy hooks consistently. While he and Steven Tyler often shared the spotlight, their worst career moments often occurred due to their significant others. This chapter of their journey proved to be quite challenging, but Perry wasn’t the type of womanizer that many might have expected him to be.
Even though there was a strong camaraderie among the band members, Perry didn't indulge in the typical groupie lifestyle. Instead, he sought a genuine relationship, ultimately leading him to marry Elyssa. Although their marriage created tension between him and Tyler for a period, his bond with his second wife was no different. At heart, he was a devoted family man, far more content to return home than to struggle with the idea of being away for most of the year.
If the band faced difficulties, it surely wasn’t any easier witnessing their heroes grapple with similar issues. For instance, John Lennon had to resolutely defend himself against accusations that Yoko Ono was responsible for The Beatles’ breakup. Observing Lennon navigate the hostility from bitter Beatles fans and overt racists who disapproved of Ono, Perry recognized a kindred spirit facing challenges similar to his own.
In many ways, Perry believes that Lennon played a crucial role in opening doors for individuals like him in the rock and roll arena. He remarked, "Everything they went through is typical of any time a group of people form a business; it’s what goes on in any partnership. All that nonsense about Yoko breaking up the band was simply the misogyny of rock and roll showing its ugly face. John was truly ahead of his time, and he married a woman who was undoubtedly his soulmate."
Lennon’s commitment to his values didn’t waver after The Beatles disbanded. There were certainly periods of struggle where he didn’t take care of himself without his partner at his side. Yet, as they settled into life in the late 1970s, stories of Lennon embracing domesticity—like baking bread and caring for his son Sean—challenged the toxic masculinity that many rock stars felt they needed to uphold to maintain their image.
By the end of their journey together, every member of The Beatles had transcended the limitations typically associated with rock stardom. Though Lennon acknowledged feeling shame about certain aspects of his past, he would never apologize for prioritizing his family over music. He had discovered a sense of peace, and even while he was slowly re-entering the music scene at the time of his untimely death, it’s important for people to remember him as someone who remained true to his values before returning to the world of music.
