If John Lennon had listened to his aunt's advice, the Beatles never would have existed.

Mary Elizabeth Smith, better known as Mimi, was musician John Lennon's maternal aunt and parental guardian. She took over the care for Lennon from her younger sister, Julia, when Julia was unable to provide adequately for the baby.

Mimi was an austere woman who practiced an attitude of "stubborn independence", making her husband to-be court her for seven years before eventually marrying him. She was strong minded and had definite opinions on many things, especially around the life and potential career of young John Lennon.

She is famously quoted as having told Lennon that while playing the guitar as a hobby was alright, it would not earn him any money.Lennon, of course, went on to form the Beatles — possibly the most successful rock band of all time — and did indeed earn some money from his guitar.

Years later, Lennon jokingly reminded Mimi of her quote and presented her with a silver plaque carrying an engraving of her words.