John Lennon’s Prank on Brian Jones Almost Became Fatal
John Lennon, known for his love of pranks, once scared Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones to the point of near-death because of how well he executed a joke.
Despite rumors of a feud between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Lennon and Jones had a friendly relationship.
Lennon admired Jones as an incredible musician, which made him the perfect target for his pranks.
On one occasion, Lennon managed to convince a terrified Jones that the police were after him.
Lennon was known for his car modifications, which included a record player, a custom horn that played “Lilli Marlene,” and a microphone attached to speakers in the front wheel wells.
With these additions, Lennon could communicate with people outside the car, either by talking to pedestrians or playing sounds of trains and airplanes to confuse them.
He also used the microphone to frighten his friends and acquaintances.
If he spotted someone he knew while driving, he would use the speaker system to talk directly to them.
One day, while driving through Regent’s Park on their way to North London, Lennon came across Jones and decided to have some fun at his expense.
According to Paul McCartney in The Beatles Anthology, “Once we were going through Regent’s Park on our way to North London to do a session.
We were in John’s Rolls and we’d just come from his house in Weybridge.
Suddenly we pulled up behind Brian Jones, who was sitting quietly in the back of his Austin Princess.
John was a very funny guy, and he shouted through the microphone: ‘Brian Jones, do not move!
You have been under surveillance — you are under arrest!'”
While McCartney and Lennon found the prank amusing, Jones did not share the same sentiment.
Startled, he leapt up and turned pale, exclaiming, “Oh my God!
Oh my God!”
It took him a moment to realize it was just McCartney and Lennon playing a joke on him.
“You bunch of bastards!”
he exclaimed, clearly shaken by Lennon’s convincing delivery.
Jones’ reaction may have been influenced by his previous encounters with the law.
He had been arrested in 1967 for drug possession and again in 1968 for cannabis possession.
Although he faced the possibility of jail time for his second arrest, the judge sympathized with him and only imposed a fine.
Given his history, it was not surprising that Jones believed the police were after him.
While Jones had a strained relationship with his Rolling Stones bandmates, he remained close with The Beatles.
McCartney described him as a nervous and shy individual, possibly more involved with drugs than he should have been.
Nevertheless, The Beatles always enjoyed his company and saw the positive side of his personality.
Despite the scare Lennon gave Jones, their friendship endured.
Lennon continued to pull pranks, but hopefully with less intensity, and the musicians maintained their admiration and respect for one another.
