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John Lennon threw an almighty tantrum when one of his solo singles failed to break the charts, prompting the former Beatle to complain to The Queen.
The late musician, who was assassinated in December 1980 at age 40, threw his toys out of the stroller when his single, Cold Turkey, failed to set the music world on fire.
The song, which is said to be a representation of his withdrawal from heroin addiction, was released in 1969 but peaked at # 14 on the UK charts.
According to Sean, the 45-year-old son of the music legend, John was so upset by the song’s lack of success that he wrote to Her Majesty the Queen to complain, returning his MBE in the process.
(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Sean told DJ Strombo on Apple Music Hitst: “The single didn’t do well, and he hilariously wrote to the Queen returning her MBE.
“He says something like, ‘Your Majesty, I am returning your MBE in protest against the Vietnam War.
“And in protest of Cold Turkey’s fall off the charts.”
John was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1965 along with the other members of the Beatles.
(Image: Getty Images for UMe)
While the star reportedly attempted to return the honor in 1969, MBEs cannot be returned.
However, the letter he wrote to the Queen and his medal are in the Central Chancellery of the Orders of Chivalry.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously confirmed that he was withholding the MBE after John sent it back to the Palace along with his grumpy letter.
(Image: Getty Images)
The spokesperson told The Telegraph in 2009: “The Central Chancellery would undoubtedly return any Badge to the original recipient if requested during his lifetime.”
“If a recipient had not requested the return of the badge before they died, it is assumed that they do not want it returned, and any request by anyone else for its return at a later date would go against the wishes of the original recipient.
“The world of the Central Chancellery, therefore, only considers the release of badges if it had a direct approach from the closest legal relatives of the recipient.”
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