John Lennon’s Shocking Behaviors Revealed in New Book

At a 1972 presidential election watch party, Yoko Ono overheard her husband, John Lennon, engaging in what was described as “loud, raucous sex” with another woman. The incident took place as results showed President Richard Nixon winning re-election over Democratic candidate George McGovern.

This revelation comes from Elliot Mintz’s book We All Shine On: John, Yoko, and Me. Mintz, a close friend of the couple, recounts how Lennon drank heavily as Nixon’s victory became clear. Eventually, Lennon disappeared into a bedroom with a partygoer.

“Throughout it all, Yoko sat on the sofa, in stunned, mortified silence,” Mintz wrote. “Other guests began awkwardly leaving, only to realize their coats were in the room where John was.” The bedroom walls were thin, and everyone could hear what was happening, which, Mintz emphasized, placed Yoko in an incredibly humiliating position.

Yoko Ono, a conceptual artist and peace activist, has long been known for her stoicism and resilience. Yet Mintz noted that this event marked a difficult moment in their marriage. “Yoko is a very stoic woman, but it would have severe consequences,” he added.

After the incident, Ono reportedly told Mintz that while she believed she could forgive Lennon, she wasn’t sure she could forget what happened. She was uncertain if their relationship would ever be the same. Their marriage, often in the public eye, had already faced challenges, including Lennon’s well-documented “Lost Weekend” period, during which he was estranged from Ono and had an affair with his assistant May Pang.

Lennon’s complex personality is well-documented. Known worldwide as a member of The Beatles, he is celebrated for his iconic songs like “Imagine,” which conveyed his vision of a peaceful and unified world. However, Mintz pointed out Lennon’s dual nature: “John would say to me, ‘Ellie, I’m not always the ‘Imagine’ guy.’”

Mintz reflected that while much of the time Lennon embodied the person people admired for his ideals, he didn’t always stay in that frame of mind. “He was imperfect,” Mintz said, adding, “It’s one of the reasons we all fell in love with him — because he was real.”

Ono and Lennon married in 1969 and had one son together, Sean Ono Lennon. Ono also had a daughter, Kyoko, from her previous marriage to Anthony Cox. Lennon had another son, Julian, from his first marriage to Cynthia Lennon.

John Lennon was tragically killed on December 8, 1980, outside his New York City home by Mark David Chapman. His death shocked the world, cutting short the life of one of the most influential musicians and peace advocates of the 20th century. He was just 40 years old.

Mintz’s book offers a personal look into Lennon and Ono’s relationship, reflecting the complexity of their love, the pressures of fame, and Lennon’s ongoing struggle with his public and private selves.

The excerpt was first reported by People.