When John Lennon tried to recruit his favourite guitarist of all time: “We can bring out the best in you”
John Lennon is arguably the most influential musician of all time. His work in and out of The Beatles elevated his cultural impact to unparalleled heights, surpassing even Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. His legacy endures, inspiring countless musicians more than 40 years after his tragic passing—a testament to his artistry and innovation.
Yet, for all the godlike status attributed to Lennon, it’s easy to forget that he was human—he struggled, he failed, and, like every great artist, he had idols of his own. The journey from a working-class Liverpudlian to a global icon was paved with hardship, but throughout it all, a select few musicians helped shape his unmistakable songwriting and guitar style.
Naturally, this raises the question: who was Lennon’s favourite guitarist? It’s a topic that has fascinated fans for decades, and while several figures made a strong claim—Chuck Berry, in particular, whom Lennon famously described as “rock and roll incarnate”—one name stands above the rest. Old ‘Slowhand’ himself, Eric Clapton, was perhaps the guitarist Lennon admired most.
Lennon’s appreciation for Clapton wasn’t just admiration from afar; he wanted to play with him. More than once, he actively sought ways to work alongside the former Cream guitarist, showing just how deeply he valued Clapton’s ability. When George Harrison briefly left The Beatles in 1969, Lennon’s immediate solution was to recruit Clapton.
“If George doesn’t come back by Monday or Tuesday, we ask Eric Clapton to play,” he told Let It Be director Michael Lindsay-Hogg. “We should just go on as if nothing’s happened.”
But Lennon’s desire to work with Clapton extended beyond The Beatles. In a heartfelt eight-page letter, he attempted to recruit Clapton for a supergroup, or at the very least, a world tour outside the confines of his old band with his new outfit the Plastic Ono Band.
“I’ve/we’ve long admired your music—and always kept an eye open to see what you’ve been up to lately. I really feel I/we can bring out the best in you,” Lennon wrote. He also outlined an ambitious vision: “We have many ‘revolutionary’ ideas for presenting shows that completely involve the audience—not just as ‘Superstars’ up there—blessing the people—but that’s another letter really.”
Ultimately, Harrison rejoined The Beatles 12 days after walking out, and the band would go on to finish their incredible final album, Let It Be. But Lennon and Clapton’s collaborations didn’t end there. They had already played together in 1968’s supergroup The Dirty Mac, and in 1969, Clapton joined Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band for Toronto’s Concert for Peace. Famously, Clapton also helped Lennon write the scalding, heroin-fuelled anthem ‘Cold Turkey’.
While we’ll never know how The Beatles might have sounded with Clapton in the mix, one thing is clear—Lennon saw him as more than just a great guitarist. He saw him as a kindred spirit, a player whose skill and soul could match his own artistic ambition.
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