Read a Post-Beatles Breakup Letter from John Lennon to Paul McCartney

Published Nov 15, 2016

A letter that John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote to Paul McCartney and his wife Linda is currently up for auction in the UK, and the contents of the note have now appeared online.We knew the Beatles ' breakup was messy, and Lennon's harsh words only give more credence to that notion. The undated letter is a response to one sent by the McCartneys, and it's clear that Lennon isn't too happy about whatever they said to him."I hope you realize what shit you and the rest of my 'kind and unselfish' friends laid on Yoko and me, since we've been together," he writes. "It might 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 — you noble people. Linda — if you don't care what I say — shut up! — let Paul write — or whatever."He also serves McCartney a bit of a reality check with regards to their band's influence."Do you really 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!"After telling McCartney that he feels "sorry for him" and claiming that the Beatles are "just as big bastards as anyone else," Lennon claims that he and Ono have "had more intelligent interest in our new activities in one year than we had throughout the Beatle era."In a final blow, he writes, "GOD HELP YOU OUT, PAUL," referring to the "petty shit" that came from Linda's "insane family." He ends off saying that he hopes to see his former bandmate in two years — "I reckon you'll be out then."That is, before one final post-script jab at the McCartneys for apparently leaving Ono's name off of previous correspondences.See the less-than-friendly letter below. It's expected to sell for $20,000 USD at auction.