John Lennon's Letter Finally Arrives... 34 Years Later

Imagine you received a  letter from a very famous celebrity, and he scribbled his personal telephone number on the letter, but you can’t call him. This is exactly what happened to musician Steve Tilston whose letter arrived 34 years late — and the sender had been dead a very long time.

The year was 1971 and Tilston was just 21. John Lennon read an interview that Tilston had done with a magazine called ZigZag. In that interview the budding British folk singer expressed his apprehension that success and wealth would get to him and ruin his songwriting ability. It caught the fancy of the Beatles superstar and he wrote to the aspiring singer, reassuring him that money and fame would not change who he was. The letter was signed by both John and his wife Yoko Ono.

Lennon sent the hand written letter to Tilston, and the reporter who interviewed him at the magazine’s office, however, the letter never reached him, at least, not until 2005, 34 years letter. Tilston came to know about the letter when he was contacted by an American collector who asked him to verify the authenticity of the letter, which was then worth $11,000 dollars.

Expressing his emotion, Tilston said, “I know it’s silly but I wanted to ring him up across the ages.” He felt sad that instead of forwarding this letter to him someone decided to sell it; nonetheless, he took it in stride saying that such things happen. Twenty albums later with  a singing career of  over 40 years, Tilston can attest to John’s words:

"Being rich doesn't change your experiences in the way you think. The only difference, basically, is that you don't have to worry about money - food - roof etc. But all other experiences - emotions - relationships - are the same as anybodies.
"I know, I have been rich and poor and so has Yoko, (rich - poor - rich). So, whadya think of that. Love John and Yoko."

 Great words from a great man, who took the time to send a hand written letter to a young, struggling singer. Great people don't change;  small people change, and often not in a good way, like the person who sold John’s letter rather than give it to it's rightful owner.....He might have made that call.