Just when we thought we knew everything about The Beatles, a disturbing piece of history has emerged—one that casts a very different light on John Lennon’s legacy.
An old notebook from the early 1960s has surfaced, revealing a deeply racist poem written by Lennon during the band’s early days in Hamburg, Germany.
And after sitting hidden for over six decades, it’s now heading to auction.
This shocking find reminds us that even the most iconic cultural figures often carry personal contradictions—especially those whose legacies are so strongly tied to messages of peace and love.
The Poem That Sparked Outrage
The unearthed poem, written in 1961, tells the story of a boy named Tom who is described as “black and dirty” and struggling to find work.
The language used is offensive, with Lennon going so far as to include the N-word, portraying harmful racial stereotypes.
It reads, in part:
“Maybe I will be a shoe shine boy – says the negro who was black and dirty.
But no – unluckily as luck would have it he could not a job find. No job for a n**r.”
This disturbing piece of writing came from a notebook Lennon kept while the band lived in Hamburg.
At the time, The Beatles were still far from global fame, still performing in gritty German nightclubs.
A Stain on a Celebrated Legacy
Lennon’s words are a jarring contrast to the hopeful lyrics he would later write with Paul McCartney—songs that helped define a generation.
But this poem reminds us that Lennon was a man with a troubled and, at times, troubling past.
The poem had been kept by Astrid Kirchherr, the German photographer and close friend of the band.
Eventually, it was passed to another source and ended up in the hands of a private collector.
It’s now being auctioned off by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles, where it’s expected to fetch around £15,000 (or $20,000).
Auction House Responds to Controversy
Giles Moon, the head of music at Julien’s Auctions, acknowledged the complexity of selling something so inflammatory.
He described Lennon as a “complicated and complex artist” whose writings and music often reflected his personal struggles.
Moon explained that this document provides insight into Lennon’s journey—not to excuse it, but to understand how he evolved over time.
The auction house is framing the poem as part of the broader narrative of Lennon’s life, including his flaws and missteps.
Lennon’s Troubled Behavior Over the Years
This isn’t the first time Lennon’s darker side has made headlines.
He openly admitted to abusive behavior during his lifetime.
His first wife, Cynthia, once shared that he slapped her during a moment of jealousy.
He also emotionally distanced himself from his son Julian, cruelly referring to him as an “unplanned child born out of a bottle of whiskey.”
On top of that, Lennon was caught mocking disabled individuals in a recorded interview and was accused of assaulting Cavern Club MC Bob Wooler after a comment about Lennon’s rumored relationship with manager Brian Epstein.
The Tragic End and Lingering Legacy
Despite these troubling revelations, Lennon went on to become a powerful symbol of peace and creativity—particularly after The Beatles disbanded in 1970.
Tragically, his life was cut short in 1980 when he was murdered outside his New York apartment by an obsessed fan, Mark David Chapman.
Even in death, Lennon’s legacy continues to spark passionate debate—especially when disturbing pieces of his past come back into public view.
A Reminder That Heroes Are Human
The poem is set to be sold on May 30. Whether it ends up in the hands of a private collector or a public archive, its existence forces fans and historians to confront uncomfortable truths about Lennon’s early mindset.
This revelation doesn’t erase Lennon’s contributions to music or the impact he had on millions, but it does remind us that cultural icons are still flawed people.
The challenge lies in how we reckon with both their genius and their failures.