After a decade together, The Beatles infamously split in 1970, and the Fab Four set off on their solo careers.
Yet just a year later, John Lennon was attempting to persuade Eric Clapton to form a new band.
This is the subject of an eight-page handwritten letter by the late Beatle to the guitar legend dated September 29, 1971.
The personal piece of history is now up for auction. In it, “Lennon expresses his desire to bring back the vibrant sound of rock ‘n’ roll and outlines his vision for a new musical project that aimed to revolutionize live performances.
“Lennon long admired Eric Clapton’s music and personally invites him to join a newly conceived band and remarks on his desire to move away from the gruelling touring schedules of the past.”
In the letter, Lennon proposes forming a “nucleus group” to “bring back the balls in rock ’n roll” with members including Clayton, Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins and Phil Spector. The Beatles star had previously formed a supergroup in 1968 called The Dirty Mac, as part of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, which features Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell.
The description continues: “In the letter John Lennon also touches on the personal struggles he and Clapton have faced and expresses hope that their collaboration could provide mutual support. As a member of The Beatles, John is considered a cultural phenomenon, and in the letter describes that he wanted to take a revolutionary approach to live music. He wanted to redefine the concert experience as if he predicted some of the advancements in technology then which exist today. The prospect of touring internationally is also suggested in the letter with Lennon expressing interest in audiences in Russia and China. He reassures Clapton that he does not wish to pressure him but hopes he will seriously consider the offer.”
The description adds: “In one of the pages of the letter Lennon also details his desire to visit and tour in far-away places (Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and others) and to perhaps film it for a movie but to do it on his own terms and those of the band. The rarity of such personal expression over multiple pages in handwritten form by Lennon to Clapton highlights Lennon’s enduring passion for his music but also what could have been a monumental moment in rock history. It also reminds us of a remarkable association between two of the world’s most legendary icons in music. Sadly, John Lennon died December 8, 1980 and was never able to see through this idea.”
The letter, estimated to sell for as much as £125,000, is up for auction with International Autograph Auctions Europe SL on Thursday December 5, 2024 here.