“I Can Bring Out The Best In You”: John Lennon’s Invitation to Eric Clapton To Join His Band

The late great John Lennon was never one for mincing his words, and he certainly chose to lay it on thick when he sent an invitation to Eric Clapton to join what Lennon called a “nucleus” supergroup. The two iconic guitarists had already developed a working relationship briefly with the Beatles and more deeply with the Plastic Ono Band. To Lennon, Clapton was an obvious pick for his ideal writing, recording, and touring band.

This isn’t the first time the famous draft letter has entered the news cycle, making headlines in 2012 when its previous owner put it up for auction in Los Angeles. The letter is now for sale again, making its way to the International Autograph Auctions Europe SL starting December 5, 2024.

Nevertheless, its resurfacing offers an intriguing, intimate glimpse into how Lennon interacted with his colleagues—particularly those for whom he had immense respect, like Clapton.

John Lennon’s Invitation to Eric Clapton to Join His Band

John Lennon dated his eight-page draft letter to Eric Clapton on September 29, 1971, post-Beatles split and mid-Clapton retreat from the public. Lennon’s letter is a lengthy, passionate invitation for Clapton to join what the former Beatle called a “nucleus group” that would include pianist Nicky Hopkins, musician and producer Klaus Voormann, drummer Jim Keltner, and producer and songwriter Phil Spector, per Rolling Stone.

“You must know by now that Yoko and I rate your music and yourself very highly,” Lennon’s letter began. “You also know the music we have been making and hope to make,” referencing his and his wife, Yoko Ono’s work with the Plastic Ono Band, for whom Clapton played briefly in the late 1960s. “After missing the Bangla-desh concert [a benefit concert organized by George Harrison], we began to feel more and more like going on the road but not the way I used to with the Beatles, night after night of torture.”

Indeed, Lennon was never quiet about his opinion of the Beatles’ arduous touring schedule, lousy lodging accommodations (in the early days, at least), and the creative restrictions that came with chasing commercial viability. In this new, post-Beatles era, Lennon wanted to focus on his main loves: playing music and having a good time.

“We mean to enjoy ourselves,” Lennon continued, “ take it easy; maybe even see some of the places we go to! We have many ‘revolutionary’ ideas for presenting shows that completely involve the audience—not just us ‘superstars’ up there. But that’s another letter, really” (via CNN).

As Much An Offer Of Self-Care As It Was For A Gig

History would show that nothing ever came of John Lennon’s invitation to Eric Clapton to join a musical supergroup. Still, the draft letter showed a compassionate side of Lennon, who seemed just as concerned for the well-being of his colleague as he was interested in hiring him for the band. At the time, Clapton was deep in the throes of a h***** addiction and was all but sequestering himself out of the public’s eye view.

Lennon seemed to keep that in mind in his letter to Clapton. “We don’t want to work under such pressure that we feel dead on stage or have to pep ourselves up to live.” The Plastic Ono Band musician said they would even bring a doctor on their travels “in case of any kind of bother.” Moreover, Lennon tried to level with Clapton human to human.

“Both of us have been thru the same kind of s***/pain that I know you’ve had—and I know we could help each other in that area—but mainly Eric—I know I can bring out something great—in fact, greater in you that has been so far evident in your music. I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us—which I know will happen if/when we get together.”

“Please don’t be frightened,” Lennon closed his letter. “I understand paranoia only too well. I think it could only do good for you to work with people who love and respect you, and that’s from all of us.”

This rare piece of musical history is expected to have a price tag of anywhere from $104,000 to $157,000 if you’re interested in adding the letter to your collection.

Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage