John Lennon’s assault of Bob Wooler reaches the national press

News that John Lennon had assaulted Cavern Club DJ Bob Wooler at Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party three days earlier reached the national press on this day.

The report was written by journalist Don Short, who later became a friend and confidant to the group. It appeared on the back page of the Daily Mirror newspaper, and was headlined: Beatle in brawl says ‘Sorry I socked you’.

Guitarist John Lennon, 22-year-old leader of The Beatles “pop” group, said last night: “Why did I have to go and punch my best friend?

“I was so high I didn’t realise what I was doing”

Then he sent off a telegram apologising to 29-year-old Liverpool “rock” show compere and disc jockey Bob Wooler, who was nursing a black eye, bruised ribs and torn knuckles.

The night before Bob and John were both at a Liverpool party to celebrate the 21st birthday of another of the Beatles, Paul McCartney.

’Booted’

Other “beat” music stars – including members of the Shadows and the Pacemakers – were at the party in Dinas-lane, Huyton, Liverpool, when a fight started.

Yesterday Wooler said: “I don’t know why he did it. I was booted in the face. I begged him to stop.

“Finally he was pulled off by other people at the party.

“I have been a friend of the Beatles for a long time. I have often compered shows where they have appeared. OI am terribly upset about this – physically as well as mentally.”

Wooler was treated for his injuries in hospital, where he was driven by Mr Brian Epstein, who has the Beatles under contract.

Epstein said last night: “I did not see the incident. All I did was to drive him to the hospital. I can only hope he gets well soon.”

John Lennon, in London with the Beatles last night, said: “I had a great deal to drink at the party and very little to eat.

“By the time this happened I didn’t know what I was doing.

“Bob is the last person in the world I would want to have a fight with. I can only hope he realises that I was too far gone to know what I was doing.”

One of the men who was at the party said: “I looked out of a window and saw Bob Wooler staggering about with blood all over his face. He was saying: ‘Get Brian Epstein.’

“I learned later that John Lennon had attacked Wooler.’

PUNCH-LINE: Lennon helped to write The Beatles’ latest hit tune “‘From Me To You’.”