John Lennon's Final & Only Full-Length Solo Concert Post Beatles Highlighted In New Four Track EP, "Power To The People..."

Record Store Day will arrive in just over two months. I'm sure this special title will be on everyone's wish list! Robert Kinsler

JOHN LENNON’S FINAL AND ONLY FULL-LENGTH SOLO CONCERT AFTER LEAVING THE BEATLES HIGHLIGHTED IN NEW FOUR-TRACK EP, POWER TO THE PEOPLE – LIVE AT THE ONE TO ONE CONCERT, NEW YORK CITY, 1972, EXCLUSIVELY FOR RECORD STORE DAY 2025 ON APRIL 12 PRESSED ON 180-GRAM YELLOW VINYL, THE EP INCLUDES THREE PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS FROM THE HISTORIC “ONE TO ONE” BENEFIT CONCERTS FEATURING JOHN AND YOKO/PLASTIC ONO BAND PERFORMING WITH ELEPHANT’S MEMORY AND SPECIAL GUESTS THE ONE TO ONE CONCERTS ARE EXPLORED IN FORTHCOMING DOCUMENTARY, “ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO,” PRODUCED BY MERCURY STUDIOS AND DIRECTED BY OSCAR-WINNING FILMMAKER KEVIN MACDONALD FILM OPENS EXCLUSIVELY IN IMAX ON APRIL 11 VIA MAGNOLIA PICTURES AND WILL AIR ON HBO IN LATE 2025

Los Angeles, CA – February 6, 2024 – On August 30, 1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, backed by Elephant’s Memory, and joined by special guests, headlined two historic One to One Benefit Concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City. These performances included an afternoon matinee and an evening performance, to a combined audience of 40,000 people, raising more than $1.5 million to support children with special needs, including children from the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, N.Y, a state-supported institution for mentally handicapped children that gained national infamy after the horrible conditions and questionable medical practices the children endured were exposed to the public.  These were John’s final and only full-length solo concerts after leaving The Beatles. Power To The People – Live At The One To One Concert, New York City, 1972, presents four songs from the afternoon and evening concerts on 180-gram yellow vinyl, available exclusively for Record Store Day 2025, April 12. Produced by Sean Ono Lennon and mixed and re-engineered from the original multitrack tapes by Paul Hicksand Sam Gannon, the EP features three previously unreleased performances – "Well Well Well" from the evening show, plus "Cold Turkey" and Yoko’s "Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow)" from the afternoon show, along with the previously released "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" (Afternoon Show), which has been new newly mixed. This RSD First release is limited to 3000 copies in the U.S. and 5500 worldwide. For more information, visit: recordstoreday.com The One To One concerts are explored in great detail in the forthcoming film, ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO, which has just been acquired by Magnolia Pictures for the North American rights. Directed by Oscar®-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “Marley,” HBO’s “One Day in September,” “The Mauritanian”), ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO is an expansive and revelatory inside look at the 18 months John and Yoko spent living in Greenwich Village in the early 1970s and delivers an immersive cinematic experience that brings to life electrifying, never-before-seen material and newly restored footage of John’s only full length, post-Beatles concert. With mind-blowing remastered audio overseen by Sean Ono Lennon, the film is a seismic revelation that will challenge pre-existing notions of the iconic couple. Following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the documentary had its North American bow at the Telluride Film Festival and recently screened in Sundance Film Festival’s Spotlight section. Magnolia will open the film exclusively in IMAX April 11 before expanding to additional theaters. The film will air on HBO and will be available to stream on Max in late 2025.  Macdonald’s riveting documentary takes that legendary musical event and uses it as the starting point to explore eighteen defining months in the lives of John and Yoko. By 1971 the couple was newly arrived in the United States— living in a tiny apartment in Greenwich Village and watching a huge amount of American television. The film uses a riotous mélange of American TV to conjure the era through what the two would have been seeing on the screen: the Vietnam War, “The Price is Right,” Nixon, Coca-Cola ads, Cronkite, The Waltons. As they experience a year of love and transformation in the US, John and Yoko begin to change their approach to protest — ultimately leading to the One to One concert, which was inspired by a Geraldo Rivera exposé they watched on TV. Filmed in a meticulously faithful reproduction of the NYC apartment the duo shared, ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO offers a bold new take on a seminal time in the lives of two of history’s most influential artists.  Mercury Studios Presents A Plan B/KM Films & Mercury Studios Production. ONE TO ONE: JOHN & YOKO is directed by Kevin Macdonald. Edited & Co-directed by Sam Rice-Edwards. Produced by Peter Worsley, Kevin Macdonald and Alice Webb. Executive Producers are Sean Ono Lennon, Marc Robinson, David Joseph, Steve Condie, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner. Consulting Producer is Simon Hilton.  POWER TO THE PEOPLE – LIVE AT THE ONE TO ONE CONCERT, NEW YORK CITY, 1972 SIDE A 1. Well Well Well (Evening Show) 5:36* 2. Instant Karma (We All Shine On) (Afternoon Show) 3:36 ** SIDE B 1. Cold Turkey (Afternoon Show) 5:54* 2. Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow) (Afternoon Show) 4:44* * Previously unreleased  ** Newly remixed

Top artists rally support for Ukraine with “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”

An important media release with news on a number of artists who have joined forces to support the Ukraine...Robert Kinsler

Top Artists Rally Support For Ukraine With
“Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”
 
Written by Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello, the track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and Sergey Ryabtsev
 
Listen to “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls” via Rolling Stone
 
Stream the track on all platforms HERE

On the night of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello began collaborating on a joint release to rally support for the Ukrainian people. Released today via Rolling Stone and irreverently titled “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls,” the track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and Sergey Ryabtsev. Proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.   “As soon as Russian aggression broke out, Les and I connected to address the catastrophe ASAP,” recalls Hütz, a Ukrainian native. “We jumped on creating affirmative music that calls for unity and pays respect to the real doers in Ukrainian defense - such as President Zelensky, who demonstrated previously unheard-of stamina and heroism.”   “The night of the invasion, I was dining with close friends of mine from Poland who were hosting their family visiting the US from their town, which is 50 kilometers from the Ukraine border,” Claypool adds. “Needless to say, they were stressed and concerned about what was happening in their homeland. After a few vodka shots of solidarity, I started texting with my buddy Eugene from Gogol Bordello to get his perspective and insight. In that vodka-laced dialogue, we started mutually praising Zelensky for his surprisingly epic display of courage. ‘Zelensky has balls of steel!’ we agreed. It was then that we decided that some freaky, ‘East meets West’ art needed to be thrown that way.”   “After a couple weeks of file trading with Sean Lennon, Stewart Copeland, Eugene Hütz, and Sergey Ryabtsev, a visit to my studio by my buddy Billy Strings, as well as some enthusiastic rhythmic claps from local supporters of Ukraine, we now have a recording to help rally support for a bullied country and a David vs. Goliath-type man who stood up for their liberty, freedom and homeland.”   Hütz points out: “The reoccurring chant in the song, ‘Revolution of Dignity,’ honors the 2014 Maidan Revolution, which resulted in the removal of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and lead to Russia’s military intervention against the people of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea and the start of the Donbas War - part of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War. It is our way to show that heavyweights like Les, Stewart, Billy and Sean stand with people of Ukraine and the country’s sovereignty from the very start of Russian-led terror.”   “This is not intended to be a song of condemnation,” Claypool says. “This is a song of unity and anti-bully mentality, giving praise to a man who stepped up for his people beyond anything I've seen in my tenure on this planet. This unlikely fellow has grabbed the reins of leadership and held fast in such a way that the world is now galvanized in support. His legendary quote ‘We need ammunition, not a ride’ – Patrick Henry couldn't have said it better himself. Zelensky is truly ‘The Man With the Iron Balls.’”

“Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”

To further raise donations for Nova Ukraine, the team behind “Zelensky: The Man With The Iron Balls” has partnered with Fandiem, a digital fundraising platform that inspires the music community to give back. Starting this Friday, 4/22, fans who donate at www.fandiem.com/ironballs will be automatically entered to win an all-expense-paid trip to attend the South Park 25th Anniversary Concert at the iconic Red Rock Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on August 10, featuring Primus and Ween. One winner and guest will receive travel and hotel, two VIP tickets to the show, upgraded seats, and a special prize from the artists.   The creative team is also inviting listeners to show their support for the people of Ukraine by submitting clips of themselves, their friends, colleagues, children, pets, or anyone else they deem appropriate clapping along to the song. Video clips can be sent to ironballs@primusville.com and additional details can be found in the video notes here.   “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls” Les Claypool - bass and vocals Stewart Copeland - percussion Eugene Hütz - vocals Sean Lennon - guitar and vocals Sergey Ryabtsev - violin Billy Strings - guitar

Happy 80th Birthday John Lennon!

Today we celebrate the 40th birthday of one of rock music's most important and influential artists. John Lennon is missed, but it is no cliche to say his legacy lives on. I started my day by watching the wonderful video for "Mind Games." The audio for the song was remixed from scratch and the video has been upgraded to HD, radically upgrading the sonic and video quality to present the song and video in the highest possible standard. The video, an incredibly charismatic narrative of Lennon greatly enjoying himself on a beautiful, sunny autumnal day in Central Park and throughout his adopted hometown New York City in November 1974, now features the new Ultimate Mix of the song, resulting in the video both looking and sounding better than ever with Lennon’s vocals front and center. Watch the video here: http://johnlennon.lnk.to/MindGamesUltimateMix Robert Kinsler

John Lennon photographed by Kieron ‘Spud’ Murphy at home at Tittenhurst, 17 July 1971
Photo by Spud Murphy © Yoko Ono Lennon

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LEGENDARY SONGWRITER, MUSICIAN AND PEACE ACTIVIST CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD 

 NEW COLLECTION GIVE ME SOME TRUTH. THE ULTIMATE MIXES, FEATURING 36 OF HIS MOST VITAL AND BEST LOVED SOLO WORKS REMIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTITRACKS, AVAILABLE NOW VIA CAPITOL/UMe

SEAN ONO LENNON COVERS “ISOLATION” AND PUTS CALL OUT TO ARTISTS AND FANS TO COVER HIS FATHER’S SONGS

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING HONORS LENNON BY LIGHTING UP SKY BLUE

Los Angeles – October 9, 2020 – Today, October 9, marks what would have been the legendary John Lennon’s 80^th birthday. Although gone for nearly 40 years – the same amount of time he was on Earth, the musician, songwriter and peace activist’s timeless and beloved music -  with The Beatles, his collaborations with his widow Yoko Ono Lennon and his acclaimed solo works – continues to thrill, inspire and lately resonate more than ever. Love, heartbreak, peace, politics, truth, lies, the media, racism, feminism, religion, mental well-being, marriage, fatherhood – he sang about it all, and one just needs to listen to his songs to know how he felt, what he cherished, what he believed in, and what he stood for.  

Lennon’s immeasurable life and legacy is being celebrated around the world today in an abundance of ways with fan tributes, TV and radio specials, new album releases, virtual events, live streams and much much more.

Sean Lennon on Oct. 8, 2020
Photo credit: Empire State Realty Trust

Last night, the Empire State Building paid tribute to the adopted New Yorker by lighting up its world-famous tower lights in sky blue with a white peace sign rotating in the mast. Sean Ono Lennon was on hand to flip the switch and illuminate the iconic building in honor of his father. 

Sean performed a cover of “Isolation” from Lennon’s debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band as part of A Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s #PlayAtHome series and has put out a call-out to artists and fans to cover Lennon’s songs: “Hey guys, here’s my version of ‘ISOLATION,’ with me on drums and my nephew Jack on bass. Crazy how much the lyrics fit our current year. Please upload a cover of your favorite John Lennon song on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok - and tag my dad - @johnlennon, #LENNON80 and #GIMMESOMETRUTH - to help celebrate his 80th birthday. We need his music and his message now more than ever!” Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/Qd0_xlLiERU

Available today via Capitol/UMe is a suite of new releases titled, GIMME SOME TRUTH. THE ULTIMATE MIXES., which collect together some of Lennon’s most vital and best loved songs from his solo career. Executive produced by Yoko Ono Lennon and produced by Sean Ono Lennon, the songs have all been completely remixed from the original multitracks from the ground up, radically upgrading their sonic quality and presenting them as a never-before-heard Ultimate Listening Experience. Named for Lennon’s 1971 excoriating rebuke of deceptive politicians, hypocrisy and war, a sentiment as relevant as ever in our post-truth era of fake news, GIMME SOME TRUTH. is available in a variety of formats including as a Deluxe Edition Box Set that offers several different ways to listen to this engrossing 36-track collection with stunning new mixes across two CDs alongside a Blu-ray audio disc containing the Ultimate Mixes in Studio Quality 24 bit/96 kHz HD Stereo, immersive 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos. 

The results speak for themselves and allow Lennon’s voice and words to shine on, clearer and brighter, at a time when they are needed now, more than ever. When listened to in sequence, GIMME SOME TRUTH. plays both like one of the greatest-ever live Lennon concerts and an emotional telling of his life story, from just after the breakup of The Beatles, to falling in love and marrying Yoko, his peace activism, personal soul-searching, inspiration, celebration, confusion, reunion, fatherhood, his five-year break from music while raising his son Sean, and his triumphant return into the ‘80s with two new albums. Throughout these incredible, timeless songs we experience the many facets of John Lennon: the songwriter, the revolutionary, the musician, the husband, the truth-teller, the dad, the provocateur, the peace activist, the artist, the icon.

Listen to and purchase GIMME SOME TRUTH. THE ULTIMATE MIXES: https://johnlennon.lnk.to/GIMMESOMETRUTH

JOHN LENNON 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS & ACTIVATIONS

• SiriusXM’s The Beatles Channel (Ch. 18) featuring exclusive programming all weekend long including a special Alec Baldwin-hosted interview with Paul McCartney, who reflects on his songwriting partner, bandmate, and friend John Lennon. More information about all their programming is here: https://blog.siriusxm.com/hear-paul-mccartney-alec-baldwin-honor-john-lennons-80th-birthday-plus-more-exclusive-specials-on-the-beatles-channel/
• Fans can access the GIMME SOME TRUTH AR Lens on Instagram and Snapchat to share their truth and recreate the album cover by putting themselves on the cover with an innovative twist. Experience it on your mobile device here: https://www.instagram.com/ar/3347848085299993/
• TikTok today announced that the music of John Lennon is coming to its community. An account in his memory has launched in partnership with The Lennon Estate and its label partner Universal Music Group.
• Twitter has created a custom emoji to assist with the celebrations. Lennon’s famed portrait doodle will appear when users use the hashtags #GIMMESOMETRUTH or #LENNON80 
  
• In a worldwide exclusive for BBC Radio 2, Sean Ono Lennon interviewed Julian Lennon, Paul McCartney and Elton John in a two-part documentary, John Lennon At 80. Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000n5pr
  
  ABOUT JOHN LENNON
  John Lennon is arguably the greatest songwriter of his generation. Lennon has won seven GRAMMY® Awards, including two Lifetime Achievement Awards, and two special BRIT Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Walk of Fame. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked Lennon in the Top 5 of the magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers Of All Time” list. 

johnlennon.com
imaginejohnyoko.com
facebook.com/johnlennon
twitter.com/johnlennon
instagram.com/johnlennon
youtube.com/johnlennon

John Lennon Bus Instagram Live Event set for Today

In honor of John Lennon's 80th birthday, the non-profit JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS (www.lennonbus.org) is hosting a 3 hour Instagram Live event featuring giveaways, music and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists including Verdine White (Earth Wind & Fire), RZA, Elle King, DJ Tommie Sunshine, rock photographer Bob Gruen and Lennon Contest winners. The focus is on Lennon's work as an artist and activist with discussions on the astounding influence of his life on art, music, social justice and culture.

The non-profit JOHN LENNON EDUCATIONAL TOUR BUS and the JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST (www.jlsc.com), with the support and mentorship  of Yoko Ono Lennon, are celebrating their 24^th year since inception, carrying on John’s message of peace, encouraging  musicianship, music education and songwriting for people of all ages. His contributions to music, culture, activism, art and fashion resonate to this day.

The Lennon Bus is a non-profit mobile recording studio which travels to schools, events and conferences across the US and Europe, working with students of all ages who create original music, video and short films. The Lennon Bus studios and onboard staff provide hands-on experiences with musical instruments, songwriting, and audio and video production.  Young people, who have often never met before, form a unique bond as they “come together “exploring their creativity and sharing their viewpoints through music and words. 

The Lennon Contest has provided a forum for songwriting talent to be discovered and nurtured and features over $300,000 in cash awards and prizes annually.  Weekly contests celebrating John’s legacy are providing even more opportunities to win. Some of those who have been recognized include Meghan Trainor, Gaby Moreno, American Authors, and more.

For more information, click HERE.

Florence + The Machine dazzle capacity crowd at The Hollywood Bowl

Florence Welch on Oct. 17, 2015 at The Hollywood Bowl
Photo: Robert Kinsler

The legendary Hollywood Bowl has featured countless memorable concerts since its opening in the 1920s, including the far-flung and masterful likes of Judy Garland, Nat "King" Cole, The Doors, Luciano Pavarotti, Radiohead and The Beatles (in 1964 and 1965).

At the second of two consecutive sold-out performances, singer-songwriter Florence Welch returned with her mesmerizing Florence + The Machine to the venue on Oct. 17, 2015 for a 95-minute performance that was powerful from start to finish. 

Bolstered by Welch's soaring soprano, theatrical presence and self-assurance, the songstress and her 11-member ensemble displayed the same style of grandeur they exhibited on the main stage at Coachella earlier this year. The difference this night (in addition to the 29-year-old singer having fully recovered from a broken foot she suffered at weekend 1 of Coachellafest) was that the set in late April 2015 played out prior to the release of Welch's third full-length album, the dazzling How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. With so much of that set (and this one) featuring material from that now-familiar disc, the audience's connection with the songs was obviously a deeper one.

Whether it was in the gorgeous opener "What the Water Gave Me" (off her sophomore "Ceremonials" album) or title track off How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, it was clear that Welch has become a master of sharing each of her song's innermost secrets, revealing the sonic peaks and valleys of each lyrical phrase and musical measure. There were songs that were more focused in their pomp (notably "Ship to Wreck" early in the set, and propulsive "Queen of Peace" much later), but the magic of Florence + the Machine comes with her blending theater and music with the skill and originality of her English musical ancestors including Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel. 

With a night filled with so many highlights, here are some moments that struck me: the incredible acapella opening with her distinctive voice showcased alone on "Shake It Out," tearing through the audience to sing on a mini-stage positioned many rows into the audience on the gospel-tinged "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)," the harp-anchored "Cosmic Love" and the spirited "Spectrum."

One of modern music's most creative talents, this is one fan who can't wait to see what Florence + The Machine will do next.

Florence + The Machine setlist on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015:
What the Water Gave Me / Ship to Wreck / Shake It Out / Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) / Third Eye / Delilah / You've Got The Love / How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful / Cosmic Love / Sweet Nothing / Mother / Queen of Peace / Spectrum / Dog Days Are Over

Encore
What Kind of Man / Drumming Song

Robert Kinsler