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In this mostly non-musical episode (imagine!), Richard and Robert take on the “Ballad of John and Yoko” – separating truth from self-spun myth.
March 2016 is here and so is the Something About The Beatles 2016 calendar – get one of the last remaining copies in stock here and specially priced!
One of the best things Yoko did was buy ‘Mendips’ for the National Trust in order that anyone wishing to do so may now visit John’s childhood home.
I have listened to all of this podcast in one shot, it has kept my attention focused for nearly two hours. It is excellent and contains many references that I now want to look into. Fantastic, good job!
Thank you for this podcast. It is so refreshing to hear some honest talk about the “Ballad”.
An extraordinarily manipulative status seeker whose art has merit, and who, because of her marriage to John Lennon, was helped to make some great records–at least two-thirds of Approximately Infinite, Plastic Ono, an LP’s worth of Fly, and her Double Fantasy contributions. The subject of John’s involvement in these recordings (as producer, musician, even inspiration) might make for an excellent follow-up episode. Thanks for this one–one of your best.
Thanks James! We definitely want to do a separate show on the music, as it bears discussion for the very reasons you’ve cited. But we didn’t think we could do it justice alongside an examination of truth versus myth. It’ll happen!
James and I grew up together and share an unhealthy fascination with Approximately Infinite Universe, so suffice is to say, I can’t wait for the YO music episode. By the way, you guys are killing it lately! Episodes 40 and 44 have set a new benchmark, even warranting repeated listenings. SATB might just be hitting its own Rubber Soul/Revolver phase. Keep up the good work guys.
P.S. We were just discussing how our old VHS of “The Compleat Beatles” served — for better or for worse — as a Rosetta Stone of sorts for us as teens back in the mid 80s before Imagine: John Lennon, Anthology, and this internet thingy came along. Would be interested to get your take on The Compleat Beatles on a future episode, as I have a feeling other aging, nostalginado Gen X Beatle students feel the same way.
“Great records?” You’re kidding me, right? LOL!
Many thanks for yet another brilliant show. I’d dearly love to have the text of these shows in print for easy access to facts. The podcasts should be published.
I’d love to hear both your takes on what (shy) Yoko did with her contribution to the city of Liverpool’s bicentennial celebration. Take a look at the banners that hung from churches to street signs to shopping tote bags. My take is that Yoko confuses art with trying to be provocative (which is a common thread through much of her “work”).
Thanks Cindy!
In the meantime, there’s this (cue bell):
http://goo.gl/UwJQ0J
http://goo.gl/KyTMce
Plenty of Yoko thoughts within!
V informative and interesting as ever – only you guys can keep the attention for nearly 2 hours on Yoko. When you played ‘not when he looked so fierce’ it reminded me of when I was at yours Rich on 4/4/81 (Bucks Fizz and all that) & you told me that you thought John had sung that line in falsetto! Remember? Looking fwd to the next J&P cast.
I actually don’t recall that, Paul, but I trust your memory, so thanks for reminding me (!)
Guys,a good analysis. I would like to see the I’m Losing you video. This talk makes me feel extra sad for John. Like so many people they don’t always know what they have or don’t. I think John used Yoko to control himself,at least to a degree. I didn’t know the doctors at the hospital thought he was in bad physical condition but I did know they said they couldn’t have saved him even if he had been shot in the emergency room! Anyway thanks with a sadness.
Here’s that video, Ed…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEtQD02bH5E
Yoko on lead vocals
Linda on back up vocals
Pete Best on drums
Awesome, this is great! I hope you do the Cynthia angle as well.
Sad isn’t it?
Excellent. But what is the source for Yoko turning John on to heroin? It could have been a joint decision and anyway John was ultimately responsible for what he put in his own body.
Hi R&R, what a great show! I didn’t know about John’s 1979 audio diary tapes. I also didn’t know about the scrapped vid for I’m Losing You. I searched youtube and saw ppl have posted the audio diary but John is hard to hear on them. As for his emaciated look, the official word to the press was that he had done a macrobiotic diet. So his thinness was due to heroin/cocaine before his death? That I didn’t know. Also, I used to like Yoko in spite of what ppl said and liked her art. I drank the Koolaid. Then I saw through it all. I went to the show of her sculpture in the ’90’s in NY. I also went to the play New York Rock in 1994. Yoko was there at the theater that night and was going out to the front of the theater by herself during intermission. I said, “Ms Ono?” and had the program in my hand. There was no one around her. She snapped at me, “Later! later!” Then said, “All right.” She signed my program. I politely thanked her. I wanted to say, you’re lucky anyone’s calling your name, hahaha. What kind of person purports to be a feminist and does what she did … sit in Cynthia’s robe and house etc. Remember that she was a wealthy person who could make herself anything she wanted. She didn’t go to a job every day. She wanted to satisfy her ego and be an “artist.” She stopped John from seeing Julian, probably was responsible for cutting him out of John’s will, took John’s sister’s house and other relatives’ houses away from them after J and Cyn had bought the houses for them, she stole Julian’s idea for a John tribute after he died. I also think there was talk of her not paying musicians for their work (Live Peace?). What’s also tremendously sad is that she auctioned off all of John’s belongings without offering any to Julian. Julian got a settlement from the Estate and has been buying John’s belongings back. That’s terrible. What kind of person does that? What brass she had to push her way in anyway. John is responsible for letting that happen. Though I love John and The Beatles, it’s sad that he let his life be controlled like that. Sad also as to what The Beatles may have been without John allowing himself to be pulled away, although they had all the other tensions. Who knows what might have happened.
Great podcast if rather sad. One thing you missed I thought was how detrimental Lennon leaving England in the early 70s was. Although he loved New York, he was essentially in Yoko’s territory and thus more in her power. He was apart from all his friends and family and ex-Beatles who could have offered him help and advice more readily. Interesting also how quickly the quality of the LPs nosedives once he is out of the UK. His family were hopeful he was about to come back to the UK just before his death. Ultimatey though the story of John’s life is the story of his drug addiction which accounts for one misstep after another.