A letter written by John Lennon , addressed to Eric Clapton , inviting him to be part of a new supergroup, will be auctioned on December 5th. The estimated price is €150,000 (approximately R$950,000 at the current exchange rate).
In the eight-page manuscript, dated September 29, 1971, the Beatles speaks of his admiration for Eric and his work. The musician also describes the details of what would be a musical project with a revolutionary live effect.
Other musicians were reportedly involved in the project, such as drummer Jim Keltner , pianist Nicky Hopkins , and producers Phil Spector and Klaus Voormann . Yoko Ono , his wife, was also included.
Lennon believed that in the future this group would "bring back the courage of rock 'n' roll".
“You must already know that Yoko and I have rated your music and you very highly. You also know the music we have been making and hope to make. Anyway… after missing the show in Bangladesh, we started to feel more and more like going on the road, but not in the way I used to do with the Beatles, night after night of torture,” John Lennon stated in a letter (via CNN ).
Moments of instability
George Harrison 's then-wife , Pattie Boyd, whom he would marry some time later.
Showing empathy, Lennon, in a letter, demonstrates knowledge of this period in his colleague's life and emphasizes that he was not pressuring him, but would await a response.
“We both went through the same kind of shit/pain that I know you went through — and I know we could help each other in that area — but especially Eric — I know I can bring out something great — actually, greater in you than has been evident in your music so far, I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us — which I know will happen if/when we get together.”
And it continues: “I’m not trying to pressure you in any way and I would perfectly understand if you decided not to join us, we would still love and respect you. We’re not asking for your ‘name,’ I’m sure you know that—it’s your mind we want!”
The auction house International Autograph Auctions Europe SL also commented on the letter, saying:
“The rarity of such a personal expression in multi-page handwritten form from Lennon to Clapton highlights Lennon’s enduring passion for his music, but also what could have been a monumental moment in rock history. It also reminds us of a remarkable association between two of the world’s most legendary icons in music. Sadly, John Lennon died on December 8, 1980, and never got to see through this idea.”
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