Have a look at this article to learn about the most incredible less known chapter of John Lennon’s life. You would learn about his violent nature that almost took someone’s life and how it changed Lennon’s life.
Who was John Lennon?
John Lennon was the co-leader of the British music band – The Beatles. Lennon was also an author, solo-artist, and graphic artist who worked in collaboration with Yoko Ono. John had a very traumatic childhood because of his parent’s separation. He lived with his maternal aunt, whose husband died during his adolescent period, and so did his birth mother. All these scenarios were quite common during World War II, but it developed anger and rage in young John.
The beginning of The Beatles
The Beatles started gaining popularity in England and Europe in the year 1963. Just within a year, they signed a manager named Brian Epstein who was unequivocal in his sexual preferences, i.e., he was gay (it was illegal in Britain until 1966).
According to the drummer of the band, Pete Best, Brian made passes on all the four Beatles and was politely rejected. The fans assumed that Brian and Paul were a thing, but the truth was that Brian was crazy, John Lennon.
By April 1963, The Beatles became one of the hottest bands of Europe. All their records were selling like a vocal hotcake; their first album was consistently sitting in the #1 position for a few months. Their concerts were hurriedly selling out, and they also gave a Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen herself.
What gave suspicious thoughts in the minds of the public?
So much was going on in the lives of The Beatles. Suddenly, John and Brian took a break from the busy schedule. They went off together for a little holiday in Spain. It was the very first thing that gave wary thoughts in the minds of their fans. He took that break immediately after the birth of his son Julian on March 8, 1963.
However, according to Paul McCartney, John took Brian on a Spain trip to assert his leadership on Brian, to make he listens and works according to John. Whatsoever the reality was, both John and Brian spent 12 days together in Spain.
When and how did the hitting event take place?
It was June 18, 1963, the 21st birthday party of Paul when the hitting incident took place. Bob Wooler, the disc jockey of The Beatles as well as a close friend. Wooler was joking around with John in a very heavy gay intimation and was asking him about him and Brian. But John was wholly wasted that night, and in his blind rage, he proceeded to beat the hell out of Bob Wooler. He was repeatedly kicking him in the ribs as he was lying on the ground as a lifeless body.
And according to John, he only stopped hitting him when he realized that he was going to die. He suddenly felt that if he would beat him even once, then it would just be the end of Bob’s life.
Bob Wooler was immediately rushed to the hospital by Brian. Luckily, Bob survived, and no harm happened to the fantastic future of The Beatles and John Lennon. Even after what happened, John refused to apologize to Bob. So, Brian, with the help of his writer friend, Don Short, wrote and sent a telegram of John’s behalf. The telegram read an apology signed under the name of John Lennon, along with a compensation of 200 pounds.
Summing up:
Despite the severity of John’s actions and the news coverage by the Daily Mirror, the incident was soon forgotten by all, and The Beatles went on to conquer the music world!
