Sean Ono Lennon thinks his dad's decision to return his MBE to the Queen was "more punk than anything the punks did".
John Lennon
The 45-year-old musician - who is the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono - has recalled his dad's decision to write to the Queen to offer to return his accolade after his single 'Cold Turkey', which documented his drug withdrawal symptoms, flopped in the charts.
Sean told 'STROMBO' on Apple Music Hits: "Famously the single didn't do well, and he hilariously, wrote that letter to the Queen of England returning his MBE. I mean, it was a big deal to return the Member of the British Empire thingamajig that he was given. To the Queen, that was very irreverent.
"I mean, it was pre-punk rock irreverent, and frankly, maybe more punk than anything the punks did really! And he does it in such a funny way. That's what I love.
"I can't remember the exact wording, but he says something like, 'Your majesty, I'm returning the MBE in protest against the Vietnam War and the Biafra thing.' He goes, 'And in protest of 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts', which I just think is great. It's funny.
"He's being nice to her. He's not being rude. So he manages to kind of be irreverent and be funny at the same time ... But what they can't fight and they don't know how to fight, is love and humour. And I feel like that MBE letter where he returns the MBE to the Queen, he manages to protest the Vietnam War, protest aristocracy, and monarchy and all that kind of b*******. But he's also really funny and sweet about it."
What's more, Sean thinks the single showed another side to his dad's talents - even though it flopped in the charts.
He said: "I know my dad was disappointed that it wasn't a hit, but it was a side of him that wasn't as commercial, because it was heavy and it was deep and it was about drugs."
John wrote his letter to Buckingham Palace in November 1969.
The letter read: "I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With love, John Lennon of Bag."
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