John Lennon & Yoko Ono Interviewed by Ugly George at the Copocabana Club, New York City (October 13, 1976)

In October 1976, John Lennon and Yoko Ono made a brief appearance on the TV show "The Ugly George Hour Of Truth, Sex & Violence" hosted by Manhattan Cable TV Host "Ugly George." The interview took place at Andy Warhol's Copacabana disco reopening in New York. The discussion revolved around the topic of sex on TV. While the complete interview reportedly lasted around 3 minutes, available audio copies are incomplete, lasting around 2:30 minutes.

 

John Lennon Interviewed at the Hit Factory, New York City (October 10, 1980)

In this interview from October 10, 1980, John Lennon discusses his relationship with Paul McCartney and the inevitable comparisons between them. He mentions hearing Paul's record "Coming Up" and preferring the original version Paul made in his barn over the live Glasgow one. John expresses frustration with the record company altering Paul's music and reflects on their competitive dynamic, both in terms of sales and artistically. He emphasizes that their relationship was complex and competitive, comparing it to comparing artists like Magritte and Picasso. Despite this competition, John acknowledges being impressed by Paul's work, which often motivated him to create his own music. However, he states that Paul never surprised him because their bond was akin to that of brothers who had known each other since they were fifteen.

The Mersey Sound - Full Documentary - Featuring The Beatles (October 9, 1963)

"The Mersey Sound" is a documentary capturing the essence of Mersey Beat, featuring The Beatles during their stay in Southport for a series of six nights at the Odeon Cinema. Produced by Don Haworth, a BBC producer based in Manchester, the documentary aimed to showcase the energy and spirit of the Mersey Beat scene.

Haworth first met The Beatles on July 21, 1963, to discuss his vision for the documentary and secured exclusive access after signing a contract with Brian Epstein on August 6. Filming took place in Southport, Manchester, and Liverpool from August 27 to 30.

On the first day of filming, The Beatles were captured performing at the Little Theatre on Hoghton Street in Southport, sans audience, to ensure usable footage without the distraction of fan frenzy. They performed renditions of "Twist And Shout," "She Loves You," and "Love Me Do" while wearing their signature grey and black collarless suits.

Haworth later incorporated footage of fans from The Beatles' concert at the Odeon Cinema into the documentary. In the final edit, EMI recordings of the songs were dubbed onto the footage instead of the live audio. "The Mersey Sound" provides a glimpse into the early days of Beatlemania and the burgeoning Mersey Beat scene that would soon take the world by storm.

 

John Lennon & George Harrison Interview on Frost Programme (October 4, 1967)

Following their successful appearance on The Frost Programme just days prior, John Lennon and George Harrison returned to Wembley Studios in London for another enlightening discussion on Transcendental Meditation. Hosted by the esteemed David Frost, the duo delved into the depths of meditation once more, fielding questions from viewers' letters and engaging with members of the studio audience.

During the 45-minute show, Lennon and Harrison shared their personal insights and experiences with Transcendental Meditation, shedding light on its benefits and addressing any skepticism. The conversation extended beyond mere advocacy, as they participated in a lively discussion with both proponents and opponents of meditation, offering a well-rounded perspective on the practice.

Recorded from 6-7pm, the edition of The Frost Programme provided a platform for thoughtful discourse on meditation and its implications. Broadcasted on the ITV network from 10:30-11:15pm on the same evening, the episode offered viewers a deeper understanding of Transcendental Meditation through the lens of two iconic musicians.

 

Pattie Boyd Pictures

John Lennon and Yoko Ono Demonstrate "Howling" (September 15, 1969)

On Monday, September 15, 1969, at the iconic Apple Corps headquarters in London, England, ITV News correspondent Keith Hatfield had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Lennon and Ono, who discussed the genesis of "howling."With the dissolution of the Beatles looming and rumors swirling about potential solo projects, Lennon hinted at his willingness to explore new avenues of creativity.

This footage originally aired on Tuesday, September 16, 1969, and within four days Lennon would announce his departure from the Beatles at an Apple meeting with the group.

 

John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band: Sweet Toronto (September 13, 1969)

On the night of Saturday, September 13, 1969, the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival erupted in a whirlwind of music, mayhem, and unexpected moments. For John Lennon, it began with a sense of reluctance, a nagging regret at having agreed to take the stage at all. But as fate would have it, Lennon found himself swept up in a whirlwind of events, propelled forward by the irrepressible energy of his bandmates and the allure of rock 'n' roll.

As the hastily assembled Plastic Ono Band – featuring Lennon, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann, and Alan White – boarded a plane bound for Canada, the air crackled with anticipation. Amidst the hum of engines and the chatter of passengers, the group hastily rehearsed a medley of rock 'n' roll standards, their impromptu jam sessions setting the stage for what was to come.

Arriving at the Varsity Stadium of Toronto University, the band found themselves thrust into a festival atmosphere unlike any other. With 20,000 eager ticket holders unaware of their impending performance, the element of surprise hung thick in the air, adding to the electric atmosphere of the night.

As midnight approached, the Plastic Ono Band's black limousine swept into the backstage area, accompanied by a roaring procession of 80 motorcycles. Amidst a flurry of excitement and flashing cameras, Lennon and his bandmates retreated to the dressing room, nerves and anticipation mingling in equal measure.

But when the moment finally arrived, all doubts melted away in the blaze of lights and the roar of the crowd. Led by Lennon's raw vocals and Clapton's blistering guitar solos, the band tore through a setlist that spanned the spectrum of rock 'n' roll, from the infectious rhythm of 'Blue Suede Shoes' to the raw intensity of 'Cold Turkey'.

Yet, amidst the frenzy of performance, Lennon's candor shone through. Admitting his struggles with addiction and his inability to recall lyrics, he improvised words on stage, weaving a tapestry of spontaneity and emotion that captivated the audience.