In excerpts published in The Sunday Times from her new book, John, about her former husband, Cynthia Lennon claims that the departed ex-Beatle had a violent temper:

I discovered that John's temper could be frightening. He wanted proof, daily, that he mattered most to me. All sense of reason disappeared and his tantrums were awesome: he would batter away at me verbally until I gave in. Then he was back to his usual self, apologetic and loving. Once, however, he went too far.

...after finding out that she had danced with Stuart Sutcliffe:

The next day at college he followed me to the girls' loos in the basement.

When I came out he was waiting with a dark look on his face. Before I could speak he raised his arm and hit me across the face, knocking my head into the pipes that ran down the wall behind me.

Without a word he walked away, leaving me dazed, shaky and with a sore head. I could put up with his outbursts, the jealousy and possessiveness but not violence. I knew I had to end our relationship.

She also had a few unflattering words to say about John's Aunt Mimi, who raised him after his mother and father abandoned him:

She constantly hounded and oppressed him. He often complained that she never left him alone and found fault with everything he did. She had been the closest thing he had to a parent, and he wanted to please her, but she made it impossible for him.

Mimi battered away at John's self-confidence and left him angry and hurt. Years later, when he was world famous and wealthy, he was still trying to earn her approval and she was still telling him off.

Cynthia and John had one child together, Julian, but eventually became estranged long before they finally divorced in 1968, after Mr. Lennon began his relationship with Yoko Ono, whom he had met in 1966 at an art exhibition.

DullLifelessHair

United Kingdom

November 2004

SEP 12, 2005 05:03 PM

Why focus on the beating? The slap mentioned is pretty insignificant compared to all the other things that were said.

Edit: I realise you weren't really, so don't pay too much attention to the above point.

[Edited on Sep 13, 2005 by Doomph]

lowroller

Australia

May 2008

SEP 12, 2005 05:09 PM

"He wanted proof, daily, that he mattered most to me"

thats because he"s just a jealous guy

fragment

Portland, OR

December 2004

SEP 12, 2005 05:15 PM

I used to be cruel to my woman
I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved
Man I was mean but I'm changing my scene
And I'm doing the best that I can.

From Getting Better on Sgt Pepper's. I've always wondered about those lyrics.

alpha_hazard

Fort Collins, CO

April 2004

SEP 12, 2005 05:33 PM

it's a pretty well known fact that John Lennon was a very jealous man, both in his personal life and his career, it's not surprising that he lost control.

nobodaddy

Burlington, VT

August 2003

SEP 12, 2005 05:33 PM

"All that "I used to be cruel to my woman, I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved" was me. I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically - any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn't express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women. That is why I am always on about peace, you see. It is the most violent people who go for love and peace. Everything's the opposite. But I sincerely believe in love and peace. I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. I will have to be a lot older before I can face in public how I treated women as a youngster.""

from the Best Lennon book ever, can't recommend it enough.

The Playboy Interviews with John Lennon and Yoko Ono

[Edited on Sep 12, 2005 by nobodaddy]

Gwendolyn

SUICIDEGIRL

Indiana, USA

SEP 12, 2005 05:44 PM

nobodaddy said:
"All that 'I used to be cruel to my woman, I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved' was me. I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically - any woman. I was a hitter. I couldn't express myself and I hit. I fought men and I hit women. That is why I am always on about peace, you see. It is the most violent people who go for love and peace. Everything's the opposite. But I sincerely believe in love and peace. I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. I will have to be a lot older before I can face in public how I treated women as a youngster.""

from the Best Lennon book ever, can't recommend it enough.

So basically this news isn't news at all.

SocietysPliers

Ocala, FL

October 2004

SEP 12, 2005 05:51 PM

Gwendolyn said:

So basically this news isn't news at all.

Lennon didn't seem to hide his past or his inner franticisms, faults and failings from the public.

Kore

SUICIDEGIRL

I'm lost

SEP 12, 2005 06:23 PM

it doesn't surprise me.

gypsydave

Los Angeles, CA

October 2004

SEP 12, 2005 06:36 PM

Man, I'm a libra too. My birthday party is on the 21st at Spaceland if anyone wants to come. Fuck, we all have our problems. I'd neve just hit a woman, but whose got the balls to admit one of the most taboo things you can possibly do on one of the most anticipated albums ever. So I think you gotta at least give the guy props for admitting what an asshole he was to the entire world. And the entire world was listening to every single word. Anyway, I don't hit girls. I am a jealous guy though. Why? It's a libra thing. Bye.