BBC INTERVIEW: THE JOHN LENNON STORY, PT. 5 (RADIO)
Summary
Part five of this five-part program in which host Andy Peebles interviews John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the Hit Factory recording studio in New York City on December 6, 1980, just two days before the ex-Beatle was killed by gunman Mark David Chapman. The program also includes a sampling of their musical recordings. Part five covers Lennon's new recording contract with Geffen Records, the making of the "Double Fantasy" album, and his personal and professional outlook in 1980. Highlights include the following: Lennon discusses his new "Double Fantasy" album; identifies "Fawlty Towers" as "the best television show I've seen in years"; and points out the tounge-in-cheek humor in his singing and lyrics; Ono describes the song "Kiss Kiss Kiss" as emblematic of "feminine energy and vulnerability"; Lennon comments on the songs "Beautiful Boy" and "Woman"; Lennon asserts that The Beatles acted like The Sex Pistols onstage before manager Brian Epstein reformed their act; Lennon admits that reggae is what he misses most about England; Lennon expresses his belief that new wave music, and The B-52s in particular, are copying Yoko's old style and music; and Ono speaks to her reluctance to resurrect her past musical style to benefit from the new wave phenomenon. The program concludes with Lennon's comments about the sense of safety and well-being he feels as a New York City resident, and his particular pleasure at being able to walk the streets without being harassed. Musical selections include the following: "(Just Like) Starting Over," "Dear Yoko," "Beautiful Boy," "I'm Losing You," and "Woman" (John Lennon); "Give Peace a Chance" (Plastic Ono Band); "The Ballad of John and Yoko" (The Beatles); and "Walking on Thin Ice" (Yoko Ono). Commercials deleted.
(There are audio disturbances throughout this program; this copy represents the best recording currently available to the Museum.)
Details
- NETWORK: WNEW-FM
- DATE: November 30, 1980
- RUNNING TIME: 0:54:35
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R89:0112
- GENRE: Radio - Music; Radio - Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: Rock music
- SERIES RUN: WNEW (New York, NY) - Radio, 1981
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Paul Williams … Producer, Produced for the BBC by
- The Beatles … Music Group
- Plastic Ono Band, The … Music Group
- John Lennon … Singer, Guest
- Yoko Ono … Singer, Guest
- Andy Peebles … Interviewer
- Linda McGinnis … Announcer
- The B-52s
- Sex Pistols, The
- Mark David Chapman
- Brian Epstein