Unique past auction items – John Lennon deposition




When it comes to musical history and pop culture, unique items have always been on the menu for
RR Auction: lawsuit depositions, albums, autographs, signed pictures and so on. The company has managed to sell countless highly desirable items over time, as it is the case for a deposition given and signed by none other than John Lennon.

According to RR Auction the lawsuit the deposition was used in was intended by Big Seven Music against Apple Records, Maclen Music Ltd and Northern Songs Ltd. As it turns out, Big Seven Music was Chuck Berry’s music publisher and they were accusing John Lennon and basically his entire crew of copying both music and lyrics form Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me” in “Come Together”. The Beatles song in question was the first one on “Abbey Road” and a number one single in the US. 

As it is stated by RR Auction, the lawsuit deposition is seven 8 X 10.5 pages long is dated on April 13, 1971 and carries Lennon’s signature at the conclusion in black felt tip. The document is also countersigned by a commissioner for oaths. The examination in the deposition was made by counsel M. William Krasilovski where he asks Lennon if he is “the sole writer of the song Come Together as recorded by the Beatles on the LP album entitled Abbey Road” and whether he acknowledges his familiarity “with the works of Chuck Berry and specifically the musical composition You Can’t Catch Me as recorded by Chuck Berry…and by the Rolling Stones.” After answering “yes” to both question, John Lennon added “ever since I was in my teens I was acquainted with the works of Chuck Berry whom I consider one of the original rock and roll poets. I heard his recording of You Can’t Catch Me at this time and spent many hours in generally [sic] listening to his general catalog.”
This document, sold in September 2016 for over $6,500 is a very important part of musical history brought forth by RR Auction; the lawsuit being settled two years later when John Lennon agreed to record three more songs for Big Seven Music on his next album. Details on this item as well as on other future auctions can be found on RR Auction’s website or on social media.

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