Lennon Letter to Clapton to Sell at Auction: Proof of Fifth Beatles Member?
A letter written by the late Beatles member John Lennon and addressed to Eric Clapton will go on auction next month.
In the letter, written on September 29, 1971, Lennon suggests that he and Clapton should collaborate together and form a band. The Beatles icon expressed confidence that he could help form Clapton into a stronger musician than he demonstrated himself to be within his music. Together, he believed the pair could bring out the greatness of music as a whole.
"Eric, I know I can bring out something great, in fact greater in you that had been so far evident in your music. I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us, which I know will happen if/when we get together," Lennon wrote in the letter.
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The famed musician also offered Clapton a full, all expenses paid trip to New York so the two could talk about a possible collaboration. Barring the trip, Lennon offered his number, pleading with Clapton to at least call or write.
"I think it could do good for you to work with people who love and respect you," Lennon added.
After trouble between the four group members began, it was rumored that Clapton was considered as a replacement for George Harrison, who had expressed interest in venturing from the Beatles, making the letter even more valuable to some.
In 1969, Clapton took part in the Plastic Ono Band, formed by Lennon and Yoko Ono. He also appeared on the Beatle's White album, stepping in for Harrison on the song, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
The sale of the letter will take place on Dec. 18 in Los Angeles, at the Profiles in History auction. Sources have predicted that the letter could be worth up to $30,000.
