How Lennon was angry that his first album featured a naked photo of him and Yoko on the cover

Publish date: 2024-09-12

A recently-discovered letter by John Lennon shows his fury about the treatment of his first album with his wife Yoko Ono.

The letter, which the singer wrote in September 1971, shows Lennon's attack on the music industry that he believed was trying to obstruct the release of 'Two Virgins'.

The item reappeared after it was put up for sale by RR Auction in Boston, Massachusetts.

The auction house hopes it will earn £15,000 ($20,000) when bidding closes tomorrow evening.  

The letter was put up for sale by RR Auction, which hopes it will earn £15,000 ($20,000) when bidding closes tomorrow evening

The letter was put up for sale by RR Auction, which hopes it will earn £15,000 ($20,000) when bidding closes tomorrow evening

The letter begins: 'Dear Martin George of Rock Ink, Yoko and I got Two Virgins out in spite of being part owners of Apple.'

Mark Lewisohn, author of 'The Beatles: All These Years', said Martin George was a journalist working for a newspaper or magazine called 'Ink'.

In his letter, Lennon wanted to clarify some of the problems he experienced with the release of the album.

'Although he was part-owner of Apple he had problems getting Apple to release this record. He always wrote good letters,' Mr Lewisohn said. 

The back cover of the album by British musician John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono

The back cover of the album by British musician John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono

The album's cover featured John Lennon and his wife standing completely naked.

When it came out, it was considered so outrageous that retailers decided to sell it in brown paper bags.

'We made it in May and they f***ed us about till November!' Lennon wrote.

'Then EMI (who have the real control) wrote warning letters to all their puppets around the world telling them not to handle it in any way,' he added.

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Share A censored version of the front cover of 'Two Virgins' which features the two musicians completely naked

A censored version of the front cover of 'Two Virgins' which features the two musicians completely naked

The singer claimed Sir Joseph Lockwood, chairman of EMI, had offered to do 'everything he could' to help the album.

For this reason, John Lennon addressed the problems he faced as a betrayal by EMI.

The album became popular in the US but failed to register in Britain.

'Retailers here & there were too scared to handle it and it sold very few — it’s very well known but not many people could actually get it,' John Lennon wrote.

The letter, currently on sale, ends: 'Just thought you’d like to know.'

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