Full Breakdown
John Lennon's 1960s Drawings Unveiled at Liverpool Beatles Museum
6/5/2026, 9:26:45 PM
Core Event: Unveiling of Lennon’s “I Feel Fine” Drawings
Ten drawings created by John Lennon and Stephen Verona for a 1960s promotional film of Beatles' single “I Feel Fine” are now on display at Liverpool Beatles Museum on Mathew Street, featuring the words “baby says she's mine” and “in love with her” among ten lyrics.
Background & Context
After a chance meeting in a London nightclub, Lennon and Verona coloured the images with felt-tip markers at Verona’s Manhattan kitchen table while smoking, forming a visual accompaniment to the Beatles’ 1960s single “I Feel Fine” that appeared in a promotional film, which some consider the world’s first rock music video. Christie's auctioned 240 drawings in 2000 for more than $58,000, after which they were split. Collector Joseph O'Donnell, a 29-year-old Beatles fan from Tynemouth, later identified ten at a London auction and bought them at modest price.
Key Figures
John Lennon – founding Beatle and co-creator of the drawings; Stephen Verona – American artist and filmmaker who collaborated with Lennon and died in 2019; Joseph O'Donnell – collector who rescued ten drawings; Christie's – auction house that sold set; Liverpool Beatles Museum – hosting the exhibition.
Timeline
1960s – Lennon and Verona create the drawings and film the promotional clip for “I Feel Fine.”
2000 – Christie's auctions 240-piece collection for more than $58,000; works are split.
2024 – Ten drawings are loaned by O'Donnell and unveiled at Liverpool Beatles Museum for multi-month exhibition.
Official Responses
Collector Joseph O'Donnell, a lifelong Beatles fan, secured the ten drawings at a price after noting their low profile at auction. He is loaning them to the museum for viewing before selling the set, and believes Beatles interest will endure.
Impact
The exhibition provides access to material that predates modern music videos, showing an early attempt by a Beatle to merge song and imagery. Drawings give scholars and fans insight into Lennon’s experimental interests and Liverpool’s Beatles heritage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm a big Beatles fan and I spotted these at an auction in London, where they weren't really made a big deal of,” — Joseph O'Donnell, 29, Collector
- “Each artwork features a different word from the song and I was able to piece them together to make a full sentence.” — Joseph O'Donnell, 29, Collector
- “I think interest in The Beatles will never go away," he said.” — Joseph O'Donnell, 29, Collector
- “In a later interview, Verona said the two of them sat at the kitchen table of his Manhattan apartment to colour in the images using felt tip markers, while smoking.” — Stephen Verona, American artist and filmmaker (quoted in interview)
Future
The ten drawings will remain on view at Liverpool Beatles Museum for months, after which O'Donnell plans to sell the collection.
