Aside from being one-half of the most successful songwriting partnerships in history with The Beatles’ Paul McCartney, John Lennon was also a poet.

In 1964, John Lennon published his nonsense book of poems and short stories with illustrations called In His Own Write.

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, Sir Brian May has recited one called Alec Speaking after turning down Good Dog, Nigel about a pet jumping for joy before being put down that afternoon.

In an Instagram post, the Queen guitarist wrote: “I contributed this little reading to a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the publication of a little book of original poems called In His Own Write – by the brilliant Beatles man John Lennon. 

“The invitation came from Tim Quinn – an old friend from the days when I worked on the Amazing Spiderman radio series with amazing author Dirk Maggs.”

Sir Brian added: “In the beginning, I said – No, I can’t do it, because it needs to be done in a Liverpudlian accent. I also didn’t feel I could perform Good Dog, Nigel, because I found it upsetting when the book was released, when I was young, and I still find it upsetting now. But then Tim sent me this lovely piece – and I remembered it well, and could somehow hear it in my head. So I did a couple of takes on my trustee iPhone and sent it along to be part of the celebrations. 

“I actually never expected to see it on Instagram, and had no intentions of taking it any further, but, since it’s already been posted, I thought I should share it with you guys. Lennon had a particular talent for speaking in oddly mangled English, which could perhaps be compared with Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky, or the ramblings of Stanley Unwin. You can hear it, too, in some of John’s songs – notably I am the Walrus. I will forever be a Beatles fan. Enjoy ! Bri.”