Here’s the Craziest Thing John Lennon Said When He Was on Acid
Of all of the Beatles, John Lennon was the most known for making provocative statements. His outspokenness and an LSD trip caused him to tell a fan something truly unexpected. Here’s what he said – and how the people around him reacted.
LSD made John Lennon say something crazy
The Beatles are associated with many things. In addition to great music, the band gave us great movies, great behind-the-scenes drama, and some awesome album covers. The band is also associated with a popular element of the 1960s counterculture: psychedelic drugs.
LSD caused John to have some interesting ideas. According to The Globe and Mail, an associate of the Beatles named Tony Bramwell discussed John’s drug use in his book Magical Mystery Tours. He remembers John taking LSD and announcing to his friend Pete Shotton “I think I am Jesus Christ…. No wait, I am Jesus Christ!”
Shutton was unimpressed, asking John if he’d like to go to the Garden of Gethsemane. The following day, John later told his bandmates “I’ve got something very important to tell you. I am Jesus Christ. I have come back again. This is my thing.”
Ringo Starr was used to John’s quirks. He replied “Right. Meeting adjourned. Let’s go have some lunch.” Only Ringo could have such a low-key reaction to such a brazen statement.
A fan’s hilarious reaction to John Lennon’s statement
According to The Globe and Mail, Bramwell said John’s little Messianic episode didn’t end there. When the Fab Four went to lunch, John was approached by a fan. He said he was not John, but rather Jesus Christ. The fan responded “Well, I still liked your last record.” This fan was either very stoic or had an incredibly dry sense of humor.
When asked, Sir Paul McCartney had no recollection of the incident. According to GQ, Paul said “I don’t remember that. I think I would have remembered that. He was the kind of guy that could do that. I don’t remember him actually ever doing it.”
What did he think of Jesus Christ?
John’s weird Messianic acid trip might seem blasphemous to some. However, he had a positive view of Christ. The Sydney Morning Herald reports he opened up about his view of Christ in a 1969 BBC Radio 4 interview. He said “I’m one of Christ’s biggest fans, you know. And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ’s message, then that’s what we’re here to do.”
John continued “If The Beatles get on the side of Christ, which they always were, and let people know that, then maybe the churches won’t be full, but there’ll be a lot of Christians dancing in the dance halls. Whatever they celebrate, God and Christ, I don’t think it matters as long as they’re aware of Him and His message.”
More than most bands, the Beatles were eclectics. They took inspiration from numerous sources. John took inspiration from Jesus – if only during his acid trips.
Also see: John Lennon: Broken Memorabilia Sells for $183,500
