In the late 1970s, during a turbulent period marked by the breakup of The Beatles and his own personal struggles, John Lennon recorded a series of candid confessions that would later shock fans and historians alike.

These recordings unveiled hidden tensions, betrayals, and complex relationships, particularly focusing on his former bandmate George Harrison — a man long seen as the “quiet Beatle” but whose private life was anything but simple.

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One of the most startling disclosures Lennon made was about George Harrison’s unusual closeness with Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ manager.

Epstein was a pivotal figure in the band’s rise to fame, but Lennon hinted at a relationship between Harrison and Epstein that went beyond professional bounds.

He recounted how Harrison and Epstein often shared hotel rooms during tours, sometimes staying alone together for extended periods, a fact that was an open secret among the band but never publicly discussed.

 

Lennon described this relationship as “ambiguous,” suggesting it was more than mere friendship, a notion that caused unease within the group, especially for Paul McCartney, who reportedly harbored prejudiced feelings about it.

This revelation cast a new light on Harrison’s persona, challenging the public image of the devoted family man.

 

Lennon also exposed the complicated romantic entanglements involving Harrison, his wife Patty Boyd, and the legendary guitarist Eric Clapton.

While Harrison and Boyd’s marriage was once seen as a symbol of love and stability during the swinging London era, it eventually crumbled under the weight of infidelity and emotional distance.

 

Clapton, a close friend to both, gradually developed a romantic relationship with Boyd, which became public knowledge and a source of pain for the band.

Lennon expressed disappointment at Harrison’s passive acceptance of this betrayal, noting that Harrison lived as if “everything were temporary,” including his marriage.

Boyd eventually divorced Harrison and married Clapton in 1979, but the turbulent love triangle left lasting scars on all involved.

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The fractures within The Beatles extended beyond romantic drama.

Lennon recounted a bitter episode where Harrison betrayed Ringo Starr by having an affair with Ringo’s wife, Maureen Starkey.

The revelation devastated Starr, leading to a confrontation that nearly ended his membership in the band.

The tension spilled over into a physical altercation during a recording session, witnessed helplessly by the other members.

 

Harrison’s silence and refusal to apologize deepened the wound, fracturing the camaraderie that had once defined the group.

This incident not only shook the band internally but also attracted intense media scrutiny, further destabilizing their already fragile relationships.

 

Despite his public image as a spiritual seeker devoted to Hinduism and meditation, Lennon accused Harrison of hypocrisy regarding his personal habits.

Harrison’s 1969 arrest for marijuana possession contradicted the saintly persona he cultivated.

Lennon felt betrayed that Harrison, unlike himself and McCartney who openly admitted their drug use, pretended to be above such temptations.

 

Lennon was critical of Harrison’s spiritual journey, viewing it as escapism rather than genuine enlightenment.

He claimed Harrison blindly followed mystical practices and superstitions without true understanding, using spirituality as a shield from his own dark past and personal insecurities.

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The breakup of The Beatles brought not only emotional but also financial turmoil.

Lennon revealed Harrison’s misplaced trust in the controversial manager Allen Klein, despite warnings from Lennon and McCartney.

Klein’s financial mismanagement led to significant losses for Harrison, exacerbating tensions between the former bandmates.

 

Lennon expressed frustration that Harrison chose to trust an outsider over his longtime friends, deepening the rift within the group.

This financial betrayal compounded the personal conflicts, making reconciliation increasingly impossible.

 

Harrison’s 1970 solo album *All Things Must Pass* was widely acclaimed, but Lennon interpreted some tracks as veiled criticisms of McCartney and the band’s internal struggles.

Songs like “Wah-Wah” and “Isn’t It a Pity” conveyed Harrison’s frustration with McCartney’s dominance and the creative restrictions he endured within The Beatles.

 

This musical airing of grievances further fueled animosity between Harrison and McCartney, whose relationship deteriorated into quiet avoidance and unresolved bitterness, marking a permanent fracture in their friendship.

 

One of the most painful blows to Lennon and Harrison’s friendship was Harrison’s decision to exclude Lennon from the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh.

The exclusion was reportedly due to Harrison’s refusal to accept Yoko Ono’s involvement, which he believed disrupted the band’s dynamics.

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Lennon refused to participate without Yoko, effectively ending any chance of a musical reunion or reconciliation.

This episode symbolized the complete breakdown of their relationship and underscored the personal and artistic divisions that had grown since The Beatles’ dissolution.

 

John Lennon’s recordings peeled back the polished veneer of The Beatles’ history to reveal a story fraught with emotional complexity, personal betrayals, and shattered friendships.

George Harrison, often idealized as the spiritual and serene Beatle, emerged as a deeply flawed figure struggling with his identity, relationships, and ambitions.

 

These revelations challenge fans to reconsider the myths surrounding one of the greatest bands in music history.

They underscore that beneath the iconic music and public personas were real people grappling with love, loyalty, ego, and loss.

As Lennon himself reflected, the masks were torn off, exposing a “really damn awful” truth behind the legend.