Posted on 09/21/2002 8:43:08 PM PDT by blam
With hate from him to them
By Chris Hastings
(Filed: 22/09/2002)
Letters written by John Lennon in which he reveals the full extent of his hatred for Paul McCartney and his wife Linda are to be aired in a New York courtroom.
The previously unseen handwritten correspondence is at the centre of a bitter legal battle involving Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow, and one of her husband's former aides.
As well as shedding new light on the often fraught relationship between two of the world's most successful songwriters, they reveal new details about the demise of the Beatles in 1970.
In particular, they prove that it was Lennon rather than McCartney who was responsible for the break-up of the world's most successful pop band. He seems to have been particularly upset about the refusal of the McCartneys to acknowledge his relationship with Ono.
He wrote: "I hope you realise what s*** you and the rest of my kind and unselfish friends laid on Yoko and me since we have been together - it may have sometimes been a bit more subtle or should I say middle class - but not often. We both 'rose above it' . . . quite a few times forgave you two - so it's the least you can do for us."
At the end of this particular six-page letter, Lennon criticises the McCartneys for failing to acknowledge Ono, even in writing. "P.S. about addressing your letter just to me - STILL!!!"
Copies of the letters have been filed with the Manhattan Federal Court, which will tomorrow begin hearing details of an action brought by Ono against Fred Seaman, who began working for her husband in 1979. Ono claims that Seaman stole the letters and a number of photographs.
It is not the first time that the pair have clashed in court. In 1983 Seaman, a New Yorker, pleaded guilty to grand larceny for stealing Lennon's diaries and was sentenced to five years' probation.
In the letter Lennon wrote about the McCartneys failure to acknowledge Ono - which is littered with expletives and crossings-out - the singer angrily denounces Linda McCartney, who had upbraided him for criticising the band's achievements.
Lennon reveals that after he decided to quit the Beatles attempts were made to give the impression that the band was continuing as a financially viable concern.
Addressing his remarks to Linda, he writes: "Paul and Klein [the group's then manager] both spent the day persuading me it was better not to say anything because it 'would hurt the Beatles' - and 'let's just let it peter out', remember. So get that into your petty little perversion of a mind."
In a final barrage of insults, Lennon adds that he does not expect the McCartneys' marriage to last more than two years. "Of course the money angle is important - to all of us - especially after all the petty s*** that came from your insane family and God help you and Paul - see you in two years - I reckon you'll be out by then in spite of it all."
Despite his rant, the singer still feels able to sign his letter: "Love to you both, from us two." Lennon's letter was in response to one from Linda. In it, he finds it impossible to hide his distaste for those who cannot separate themselves from the hype surrounding the band.
He wrote: "Dear Linda and Paul, I was reading your letter and wondering what middle-aged cranky Beatle fan wrote it. I resisted looking at the last page to find out - I kept thinking - who is it - Queenie? [Brian Epstein's mother] Clive [brother of Brian] Epstein's wife? - Alan Williams? [the band's first manager] - What the hell - it's Linda!"
He added: "I'm not ashamed of the Beatles, but of some of the s*** we took to make them so big - I thought we all felt that way in varying degrees - obviously not. Do you think most of today's art came about because of the Beatles? - I don't believe you're that insane - Paul - do you believe that? When you stop believing it you might wake up! Didn't we always say we were part of the movement - not all of it? Of course we changed the world - but try and follow it through - get off your gold disc and fly!"
Lennon's rants seemed to have been saved exclusively for the McCartneys. In another letter he is full of praise for the guitarist Eric Clapton, with whom he was keen to tour.
He contrasts what he hopes that experience will be like to touring with the Beatles, which he claims was "night after night of torture".
More than 30 years after their demise the Beatles continue to top the charts around the world. An anthology of their greatest hits, released two years ago, reached the number one spot in Britain and America and was named Album of the Year by Billboard magazine.
A history of the band written by McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr was an international bestseller.
McCartney, who began an American tour last night, was unavailable for comment.
The first time I heard the Beatles I was in the Mediterranean (navy) and thought that they were imitating the Everly Brothers.
What a great band they were.
If there's someone you can live without, then do so If there's someone you can just shove out, then do so You can be my Yoko Ono You can follow me wherever I go Be my, be my, be my Yoko Ono Isn't it beautiful to see two people so much in love Barenaked as two virgins hand in hand and hand in hand in glove Now that I'm far away it doesn't seem to me to be such a pain To have you hanging off my ankle like some ball and chain You can be my Yoko Ono You can follow me wherever I go Be my, be my, be my Yoko Ono Oh no, here we go Our life is just one big pun Ono, here we go as Yoko sings Aieee! I know that when I say this I might be stepping on pins and needles But I don't like all these people slagging her For breaking up the Beatles Don't blame it on Yokey If I was John and you were Yoko I would gladly give up musical genius Just to have you as my very own Personal Venus Hit it You can be my Yoko Ono You can follow me wherever I go Be my, be my, be my Yoko Ono Whoa ohhhhhh
Letters written by John Lennon in which he reveals the full extent of his hatred for Paul McCartney and his wife Linda are to be aired in a New York courtroom.
Where does the Telegraph find these teenage simpletons they hire to write these stories?
Nowhere in the story was there the slightest hint that John "hated" anybody. You certainly don't write a 6-page letter to somebody you "hate". John was ranting - - big deal. This story is a disgrace.
Shudder!
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