Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to John Lennon
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to John Lennon.
John Lennon, a pivotal figure in music and activism, achieved global recognition as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. His songwriting collaboration with Paul McCartney is celebrated as one of the most successful in history. Beyond his musical achievements, Lennon was known for his political activism, using his platform to advocate for peace and social change. He remains an influential and iconic figure in popular culture.
1962: James Hanratty Case
In 1962, James Hanratty was hanged, and later John Lennon and Yoko Ono supported efforts by Hanratty's family to prove his innocence, though his conviction was eventually upheld by DNA evidence.
June 1963: Assault on Bob Wooler
In June 1963, at McCartney's twenty-first birthday party, John Lennon physically attacked Cavern Club master of ceremonies Bob Wooler for making a joke about Lennon's honeymoon.
1965: LSD Introduction
In March 1965, John Lennon and George Harrison were unknowingly introduced to LSD, marking the beginning of the band's experimentation with psychedelic drugs.
March 1966: Lennon's "more popular than Jesus" remark
In March 1966, John Lennon made the comment that The Beatles were "more popular than Jesus", sparking controversy and backlash, particularly in the US.
May 1968: Affair with Yoko Ono
In May 1968, while Cynthia was on holiday, John Lennon invited Yoko Ono to his home and they spent the night recording what would become the Two Virgins album.
November 1968: Divorce Settlement with Cynthia
In November 1968, John Lennon's divorce case with Cynthia was settled out of court. Lennon gave her £100,000 and custody of Julian.
1968: Cannabis Conviction
In 1968, John Lennon had a misdemeanour conviction for cannabis possession in London.
1968: Formation of International Marxist Group
In 1968, the International Marxist Group, a Trotskyist group, was formed in Britain, and John Lennon was reportedly sympathetic to it, though the FBI deemed him of limited effectiveness as a revolutionary.
March 1969: Lennon and Ono's marriage and "Bag One" release
On March 20, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono got married and released a series of lithographs called "Bag One", which faced censorship due to their depiction of scenes from their honeymoon.
1969: Self-Portrait Film Appearance
In 1969, John Lennon appeared in the Yoko Ono Fluxus art film Self-Portrait, which consisted of a single forty-minute shot of Lennon's penis.
1969: Formation of Plastic Ono Band and Bed-In for Peace
In 1969, John Lennon started the Plastic Ono Band with Yoko Ono, held the two-week-long anti-war demonstration bed-in for peace, and left the Beatles.
January 1970: Bag One Lithographs Exhibition
On 15 January 1970, Lennon exhibited his Bag One lithographs at Eugene Schuster's London Arts Gallery, but the show was raided by police 24 hours later due to some lithographs being deemed indecent.
December 1970: Lennon's Rolling Stone interview
In December 1970, John Lennon expressed his bitterness towards McCartney and the other Beatles in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
1971: Lennon's Ties with London Anti-War Activists
In 1971, the final 10 documents in Lennon's FBI file reported on his ties with London anti-war activists and had been withheld as containing "national security information provided by a foreign government under an explicit promise of confidentiality".
February 1972: Anti-War Activities
In February 1972, Republican Senator Strom Thurmond suggested that John Lennon's deportation would be a strategic counter-measure due to his anti-war activities. Lennon also co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show with Yoko Ono.
1972: Lennon Standing up to Nixon
In 1972, young people were thrilled to see Lennon's courage in standing up to [US President] Nixon.
1973: Beginning of the "Lost Weekend"
In 1973, Yoko Ono suggested May Pang have a physical relationship with John Lennon. Lennon and Pang then began an 18-month period in Los Angeles he later called his "lost weekend".
1974: Alcohol-fueled incidents and chaotic recording sessions
In early 1974, John Lennon's alcohol-fueled antics with Harry Nilsson made headlines, including two incidents at The Troubadour club, leading to chaotic recording sessions for Nilsson's album Pussy Cats.
1983: ACLU Sues FBI
In 1983, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, Jon Wiener sued the FBI to release withheld pages regarding the Bureau's role in attempting to deport John Lennon.
1991: ACLU Wins Suit Against FBI
In 1991, the ACLU, representing Jon Wiener, won a favorable decision in their suit against the FBI in the Ninth Circuit, regarding the release of files documenting the Bureau's role in attempting to deport John Lennon.
April 1992: Justice Department Appeals Decision to Supreme Court
In April 1992, the Justice Department appealed the decision to the Supreme Court regarding the release of John Lennon's FBI files; however, the court declined to review the case.
1997: Justice Department Settles With ACLU, Releases Lennon Files
In 1997, respecting President Bill Clinton's new rule, the Justice Department settled most of the outstanding issues outside court and released almost all of the contested John Lennon's FBI documents.
February 2000: Allegations of IRA Funding
In February 2000, Lennon's cousin Stanley Parkes stated that the singer had given money to the IRA during the 1970s.
2005: Powell's Memoir "John"
In 2005, Cynthia Powell released her memoir titled "John", which detailed her relationship with John Lennon, including instances of abuse and his possessive nature.
December 2006: Release of Remaining FBI Files
In December 2006, the final 10 documents in John Lennon's FBI file were released, reporting on his ties with London anti-war activists in 1971.
2006: Lennon's Courage
In a 2006 Guardian article, Jon Wiener wrote: "For young people in 1972, it was thrilling to see Lennon's courage in standing up to [US President] Nixon. That willingness to take risks with his career, and his life, is one reason why people still admire him today."
