by John Lennon‘s famous “lost weekend” glasses are part of Propstore’s Music Memorabilia Live Auction and are expected to fetch an eye-watering sum.
The iconic circular rimmed spectacles will join an auction line-up that includes various rare and collectible items, including Jimi Hendrix’s handwritten working lyrics for ‘Straight Ahead’. A key Michael Jackson piece will also be on offer: the white fedora worn by the star in the 1988 hit music video for ‘Smooth Criminal’.
The auction’s website shares that Lennon wore the glasses in particular on the evening of March 12th, 1974, when he and confidant Harry Nilsson heckled the Smothers Brothers at the Troubadour Club.
The “heavily drunk” pair were escorted out of the venue after their hooliganism led to a fight. In the altercation, Tommy Smothers’ wife swiped Lennon’s glasses “because of the punches that were thrown.”
Lennon’s “lost weekend” was an 18-month period spanning 1973 to 1875, during which the singer-guitarist became involved in a relationship with his assistant, May Pang. On the break from long-term partner Yoko Ono, Lennon drank heavily but also increased his creative output.
Lennon adopted the “lost weekend” term himself from the 1945 Billy Wilder film about an alcoholic writer struggling with addiction. He “lost” control, but eventually reconciled with Yoko Ono to create their 1980 album, Double Fantasy.
At a recent auction in Los Angeles, a DA Millings & Son custom suit worn by Lennon in 1963 was sold for a staggering $102,480. A letter from 1962 handwritten by the Beatle to his future wife, Cynthia Powell, also sold for almost £70,000 this summer.
In other John Lennon news, Sam Mendes will deliver four Beatles biopics to be released simultaneously in April 2028. The Beatles BootCamp consists of Paul Mescal, who plays Paul McCartney; Joseph Quinn, who portrays George Harrison; Barry Keogan, who plays Ringo Starr; and Harris Dickinson, who has been cast to play Lennon.
