John, Paul, Tom & Ringo: The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder

On April 25, 1975, John Lennon gave what was to be his last televised interview on "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder." No one knew then that Lennon would be taking an extended hiatus from public life, taking time to raise his son and live a less public life. Speaking openly on the subjects of drug use, the breakup of the Beatles, and his immigration problems while seeking permanent residency in the U.S., the interview Lennon gave Tom Snyder in 1975 revealed he had tremendous humility and an affecting sense of humor.

Five years after that interview, Lennon was fatally shot while coming home from a recording session. The day after the shooting and Lennon's tragic death, "The Tomorrow Show" re-aired that last interview in tribute to him. Shout! Factory's "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom And Ringo" contains the complete interview with Lennon as rebroadcast on December 9, 1980, along with interviews from that day with journalist Lisa Robinson and Lennon friend and producer Jack Douglas. The show is a poignant remembrance of the aftermath of his murder and the huge void his passing had on music, and indeed, the world.

The 2-DVD set "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom & Ringo" also includes a 1981 interview with Ringo Starr, who discusses his film and music career, as well as remembrances of his band mate and friend John Lennon, and a 1979 interview with Paul and Linda McCartney, Denny Laine & Laurence Juber, from a stage in London, who were then enjoying huge success with Wings.

"The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder" premiered in October 1973 in the late-night time slot following Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" and continued in one form or another until January 1982. Also available on DVD from Shout! Factory are "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave," featuring Elvis Costello, John Lydon, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Joan Jett, and The Plasmatics, and "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: Tom Snyder's Electric Kool-Aid Talk Show," featuring interviews with Timothy Leary, Tom Wolfe, Ken Kesey, and performances by The Grateful Dead.

Disc 1:

• John Lennon Tribute Original Air Date 12/9/80
  
• Additional Guests: Lennon Immigration Attorney Leon Wildes, Journalist Lisa Robinson & Music Producer Jack Douglas
  
  
  It was December 9, 1980, and John Lennon had been shot and killed just one day earlier outside his New York apartment. Not since April 25, 1975, on The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder had Lennon sat with anyone for a television interview. Snyder re-aired his conversation with the former Beatle while new guests Lisa Robinson and Jack Douglas provided additional commentary in light of the previous day's tragic event.

Disc 2:

• Paul McCartney Interview Original Air Date 12/20/79
  
  • Features Wings Music Video "Spin It On"
    
  • Additional Guests: Fellow Wings members Linda McCartney, Denny Laine & Laurence Juber
    
    Live via satellite from London, it's Paul McCartney! By 1979 Wings was already a great band with a solid following, but that didn't stop Tom Snyder from asking Paul about a Beatles reunion. This conversation took place via satellite from London just prior to Wings going onstage for a holiday concert.
  
  
• Ringo Starr Interview Original Air Date 11/25/81
  
  • Features Ringo Starr's Music Video "Wrack My Brain"
    
  • Additional Guest: Actress (and Ringo's wife) Barbra Bach, Actress Angie Dickinson
    
    Interviewed in Los Angeles, Ringo talks about his then-current album Stop And Smell The Roses-a title that reflects what Ringo was in effect doing at that time after years of "turmoil, ecstasy, frenzy and confusion," as Tom notes. Ringo also speaks out about his dear friend John Lennon.