FBI SAYS LENNON NOT A REVOLUTIONARY

The FBI deemed John Lennon too high on drugs to be a real
revolutionary, according to secret files which have just been released.

Agents investigated a series of stars and household names, including
Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein and Liberace.

A file on the former Beatle reveals he was closely watched in the US
shortly before the Republican National Convention in 1972.

He wanted to extend his travel visa so he could "engage in disruptive
activities surrounding RNC", an agent reportedly claimed.

But an informant told the bureau that although Lennon "appears to be
radically orientated" he did not give the impression of being a true
revolutionist, "since he is constantly under the influence of narcotics".

The material dates back to 1974 and was released in the US under the
Freedom of Information Act.

A file on screen legend Monroe reveals a 1955 rumour that she might
have been a Communist Party member and had applied for a visa to
visit Russia. The following year she was in New York with "a Life
photographer who is a party member", an informant claimed.

In 1962, she travelled to Mexico where she "associated closely with
certain members of the American Communist Group in Mexico," an FBI report said.

Einstein was watched for decades because of his alleged ties to
Communists. The files indicate it was believed he was a member,
sponsor or affiliated with 34 so-called Communist fronts between 1937
and 1954, and honorary chairman of three Communist organisations.

Among a host of other allegations is entertainer Liberace's reputed
fondness for gambling while I Love Lucy actress Lucille Ball was
suspected of being a communist sympathiser. The FBI received a series
of complaints branding the Doors music "filth". Even FBI boss J Edgar
Hoover branded singer Jim Morrison's behaviour on stage "repulsive"
and said it could have "serious effects on our young people".