JOHN LENNON damaged a valuable HENRI MATISSE painting by using it as an ash tray during a wild party at the Playboy mansion in 1974, HUGH HEFNER claims. The French artist's works have sold for up to $15 million (£8 million) at auction, but amazingly Hefner forgave the former BEATLE for stubbing out his cigarette on the priceless painting - because Lennon was one of his heroes. The 80-year-old says, "He was separated briefly from his wife YOKO ONO and was in a very bad mood. "He was drinking a great deal. He misbehaved a little bit and a couple of my friends took exception to it. He put a cigarette out on a Matisse and one of my friends was going to kick his butt. But he'd been drinking. He was under tremendous pressure, and Lennon was one of my heroes."
NEWS LENNON STUBBED CIGARETTE OUT ON HEFNER'S MATISSE Music, movie & Entertainment News
