Entertainers Who Turned Down Major Awards

John Lennon Rejected A MBE Because of Politics

Image Credit: Rowland Scherman / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

John Lennon was an activist. His iconic songs “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and “Imagine” were proof of his political ideals. Lennon didn’t just sing about it — he put his money where his mouth was, and actually gave back an award in protest.

In 1965, Lennon received the Member of the Most Honorable Order of the British Empire from the British Government. Four years later, he told the Queen he was giving back the MBE in part because of the government’s involvement in the Vietnam War. “Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down the charts. With love. John Lennon of Bag,” he said.