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A rare recording of a "drunken" John Lennon has raised $30,000 (NZ$52,000) at auction.
The recording features the Beatles singer making up his own obscene lyrics over a version of Lloyd Price's Just Because and has never before been heard in public.
The tape begins with John reportedly slurring: "I want to take all them new singers, Carol and the other one with the nipples, I want to take them and hold them tight."
Margaret Barrett, a spokesperson for Los Angeles' Bonhams and Butterfields auction house, said: "It was six minutes, 16 seconds, and John singing very drunk and with John ad-libbing his own lyrics into the song. It's actually a fun song to listen to."
When the tape was made in 1973, John had split from his wife Yoko Ono for 18 months - which he later described as his "Lost Weekend".
The accompanying band on the recording of Just Because can be heard speeding up and slowing down to keep up with John, until the session is called to a halt.
The former owner of the tape - who was not identified - was personally given it by John. The buyer also remains anonymous.
Lennon later re-recorded Just Because for his album Rock 'n' Roll in 1975.
- BANG! SHOWBIZ
