Brian May's heartbreaking eight-word reason he refused to do John Lennon tribute
Queen legend Brian May has revealed why he initially refused to get involved in a tribute to Beatles legend John Lennon.
Brian May recites a poem written by John Lennon
Sir Brian May has revealed that he initally refused to contribute to a tribute to John Lennon as he didn't think he could do it justice. The Queen guitarist regularly performs to packed stadiums worldwide but the thoughts of reading one of the late Beatles poems filled him with dread.
He was asked to contribute to a project to mark the 60th anniversary of John's book of poems In His Own Write. Brian was just one of a host of special guests asked to perform their favourite of John's poems to mark the occassion with the likes of Stephen Fry and Noddy Holder also contributing.
However Brian was trepedacious about taking part and took to his Instagram to explain why. Alongside a video of him reciting John's poem Alec Speaking he wrote of his fears.
"I contributed this little reading to a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the publication of a little book of original poems called "In His Own Write - by the brilliant Beatles man John Lennon. The invitation came from Tim Quinn - an old friend from the days when I worked on the Amazing Spiderman radio series with amazing author Dirk Maggs.
"In the beginning, I said – "No, I can't do it, because it needs to be done in a Liverpudlian accent. I also didn't feel I could perform "Good Dog, Nigel ", because I found it upsetting when the book was released, when I was young, and I still find it upsetting now," he admitted.
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"But then Tim sent me this lovely piece - and I remembered it well, and could somehow hear it in my head.
"So I did a couple of takes on my trustee (sic) iPhone and sent it along to be part of the celebrations.
"I actually never expected to see it on Instagram, and had no intentions of taking it any further, but, since it's already been posted, I thought I should share it with you guys.
"Lennon had a particular talent for speaking in oddly mangled English, which could perhaps be compared with Lewis Caroll's "Jabberwocky", or the ramblings of Stanley Unwin.
"You can hear it, too, in some of John's songs – notably "I am the Walrus". I will forever be a Beatles fan."
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He needed have worried as his 3.4 million followers were impressed by his rendition and took tothe comments to praise the legendary guitarist.
@curio_curator gushed: "I was obsessed with Lennon’s writings as a teenager.. and this is one of my favourites! Thank you Bri, great reading! Xx." @isabellaricci9797 complimented: "Beautiful reading So wonderful to see you."
@tracyannsee commented: "Lovely. Lennon truly was a poet with all his writings. Lucky for us, he chose to convey most of them with music in song form. He was a legend whose words will live on forever."
