John Lennon Letter to Broadcast Legend Joe Franklin Sells for $28,000
BOSTON, MA—(October 24, 14) A rare John Lennon Letter written to NY Broadcast legend Joe Franklin that makes a passionate case for acceptance of Yoko’s Music sold for $28,171 on Thursday evening, according to Massachusetts-based RR Auction.
The two-page handwritten letter, 8.5 x 11, on Apple memorandum letterhead, and is dated December 13, 1971.
Lennon writes in part: 'I know you're a musician at heart! and especially I know you dig jazz.—Well, Yoko's music ain't quite jazz but to help you get off on it, or understand it, please listen to a track on the 'Yoko/Ono/Plastic Ono Band,' called 'AOS,' which was recorded in 1968 (pre Lennon/Beatles!) with Ornette Coleman at Albert Hall London, you could call it free form, anyway Yoko sits in the middle of avante-garde, classic, jazz—and now through me and my music—rock 'n' roll!'
He continues: 'On the new album 'Fly' the experiment goes a step 'further'—free form music—with robot musicians! (not computer—electronic—)—check the inside of Fly double-album for info and photo of the 'musicians,' of course Yoko can explain her music better in person, this is a kind of introduction.
“This letter shows how proud John was of Yoko and how he believed in her as a multi-talented artist,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. “The letter is one of the finest Lennon letters we have ever offered and was not a surprise that it brought in such an impressive figure.”
Highlights from the Marvels of Modern Music sale include, but are not limited by:
Neal Schon custom-built Paul Reed Smith sunburst electric guitar, personally-owned and stage-used, sold $24,650.
Dee Dee Ramone personally-owned and stage-used Fender P-bass guitar, sold for $37,694.
Beatles - 1969 stock transfer forms signed by all four members of the band, sold for $16,377.
Guitar of Hope, Epiphone six-string acoustic guitar signed by fifty celebrities, including; Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Josh Groban & The cast of Glee. The proceeds from the sale will benefit a family that experienced a personal battle with cancer, sold for $6,487.
Led Zeppelin IV album signed on the front cover by all four members of the band, sold for $13,912.
Joey Ramone hand written lyrics for the song ‘Maria Bartiromo,’ sold for $1,886.
The Marvels of Modern Music auction, from RR Auction, began on October 16 and ended on October 23 at 7PM. More details, including results can be found online at www.rrauction.com.
