Book: Lennon was cruel and jealous lover

NEW YORK, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Slain British singer John Lennon was often malicious to and jealous of his lovers, a new biographical book alleges.

Biographer Philip Norman alleges in "John Lennon: The Life" that the Beatles star was routinely abusive to the women in his life, including his second wife, artist Yoko Ono, the New York Post reported Sunday.

The book also alleges Lennon, who would have celebrated his 68th birthday Saturday, repeatedly committed marital infidelity, and physically and verbally abused his sons, Julian and Sean.

Norman says in the book that Lennon allegedly didn't attempt to calm his first wife, Cynthia, when she came home from a vacation and found him and Ono wearing matching bathrobes.

"John showed no sign of guilt or even surprise, merely looking round with a casual, 'Oh … hi,'" Norman alleges in "Life."

The Post said while the book paints Lennon in a dark light, scores of loyal Beatles fans gathered Saturday in New York's Central Park to remember his brighter days. Lennon was shot and killed Dec. 8, 1980, by a disturbed fan.