Rare photographs focusing on John Lennon's formative early years in England are now on display in New York. The exhibit, called "This Boy ... John Lennon in Liverpool," celebrates the musician's roots, and charts the formation of his legendary band, the Beatles.

 

The photographs are on display at the Paley Center for Media in Midtown Manhattan.

The exhibit also marks what would have been Lennon's 70th birthday. He was born October 9th, 1940.

Ron Simon, Curator of Paley Center for Media, said, "We organized the very first photographic exhibition of pictures from Liverpool with John basically from 1955 to 1960. So it's a really good way to think about John Lennon on this major anniversary and where he started."

The exhibit features dozens of archive photographs of a young Lennon. There are also videos of him talking about growing up in Liverpool and forming his band the Quarrymen. That band would eventually evolve and become the Beatles.

One of the most interesting photos at the exhibit is an image that nearly captures the beginning of the Beatles in 1957.

The picture shows Lennon already under the influence of early American rock and roll.

The exhibit goes on to detail the formation of the Beatles with a photograph taken after Paul McCartney persuaded Lennon to allow his friend George Harrison to join the band.

30 years after his death, the music of John Lennon and the Beatles continues to excite music lovers, young and old.

"This Boy ... John Lennon in Liverpool" will be in display till December.