I was driving home from a quick trip to the grocery store this morning when the WALRUS started playing The Ballad of John and Yoko. I started a quick psychedelic flashback to 1969 with John and Yoko doing their little bed-in espousing peace and love.
Drove from paris to the amsterdam hilton,
Talking in our beds for a week.
The newspapers said, say what you doing in bed?
I said, were only trying to get us some peace.
Christ you know it aint easy,You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going, They're going to crucify me.
John and Yoko's infamous ‘bed-in’ for world peace
While all this transpired, I was a teenager in high school whose love of the Beatles knew no bounds! Paul, by the way, was my favorite Beatle.
The Beatles in 1969
For me, there always seemed to be a bit of kookiness that surrounded John and Yoko. Yoko was an avant garde artist but today I think they would call what she did performance art.
Here is Cut Piece by Yoko back in 1964 in Tokyo. This was an interactive piece whereby audience members were requested to come on stage and begin cutting away her garments until….well. there wasn't anything left!
But at age 70, Yoko was still at it in Paris where she performed Cut Piece in 2003.
The audience was encouraged to Come and cut a piece of my clothing wherever you like, the size of less than a postcard, and send it to the one you love. She concluded by saying Cut Piece is my hope for world peace. I’m not sure how taking a scissors to a chic black evening dress will bring about world peace but the girl's got guts and is still living for her art!
John & Yoko
John and Yoko moved to New York in 1973 and John Lennon was only 40 years old when he was killed in 1980. It’s ironic that a man who promoted peace and love died in such a violent manner. When the city of New York erected Strawberry Fields in Central Park, Yoko donated $1million to maintain the site. Strawberry Fields opened on October 9, 1985, on what would have been John's 45th birthday.
Strawberry Fields Forever
The centerpiece of Strawberry Fields
Yoko and Sean Lennon 2009
Yoko is still rockin’ it and received a lifetime achievement award in 2009 at the Mojo Awards a British music publication.
A retrospective of Yoko's work
You guys, this is what 77 looks like. Not bad!
I think I'm going to start wearing a fedora!
My love of the Beatles has surpassed any one rock group on this planet. I remember the assassination of John so vividly and think about his legacy from time to time. I've never seen the "Beatles" when they were together, but I've had the honor of seeing John Lennon sing with a bank in LA back in the 70's and have seen Paul in concert not so long ago. I wished I've could of seen George in concert...and BTW...he was my favorite....tear. Thanks for this post, it brought a smile to my face.
ReplyDeletetootles,
bunny
Hi Bonnie! My room was wallpapered with Beatle pics! Ringo was my favorite! Years later, my sister told my confused little nephew that his aunt had been in love with the Little Conductor in Shining Time Station! lol I always thought Yoko was a little goofy, but if goofy gets you young looks at 70, I'm in! lol Happy week!...hugs...Debbie
ReplyDeleteI loved this post Bonnie! I absolutely love the Beatles. The White Album is my favorite, but Sgt. Pepper truly revolutionized modern music as we know it. Good grief, I can't believe that Yoko is 77! Kathy
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie! What a great post! John was always my favourite Beatle (although I'm more of a Stones girl myself).
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous is Yoko? How sad that John never got to see her age so gracefully.
Vix
xxx
Bonnie! I had a heck of a time this morning, my usual visitation time, with leaving comments on Blogger! TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES! But....this post is awesome. It rocks, like YOU, and of course, like my all-time favorites, THE BEATLES. I remember when my cousin Marie, great friends with Miss BUNNY up above here on the first comments, when they all introduced me to the Beatles by just being as cool as they were. And that Yoko, at 77. O.K., now that gives me hope! There is no excuse to be frumpy! SHE IS BEAUTIFUL! Wow, this was stunning through and through, dearest. I hope you are well. School is out this Friday and I am happy!!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun out there in SD; I sure wish we could meet when I go out in two weeks! Anita
P.S. I will be seeing Bunny at a gathering at my cousin's house!
Yoko looks better now than she did in the 60's. Funny how that can happen. Enjoyed the post. John's death was one of those tragedies that you never forgot where you were the moment you heard the news. I still love all their music. Hugs, Deb =^..^=x5
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post... Thank you so much for sharing.. Good gravy! I can't believe she is that age..
Also wanted to thank you for visiting. I am happy you find Colette pleasing. Oh, you looked at my roses.. I love roses... I could spend the entire day in the garden.. The rosemary bunny.. Well, I am waiting for the bush to grow behind his head. The ears are set a bit to far back.. If I can ever get it right, I will post.
The weather... Well, here it is a bit to hot.. I know I should not complain, but 97 in the shade yesterday and summer is not even here.. Yike!
Enjoy your evening and thanks so much for visiting.
Penny
Bonnie: I enjoyed spending time with John and Yoko. Now, I want you to "take" me to the Wild Animal Park, please! Love the zoo postings. I agree, it is the GREATEST! We've gone to many zoos but San Diego's is the best. We had season passes all the time we were there. Our boys first went in strollers! We loved the Wild Animal Park too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!!
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie my dear, dear friend! THank you for coming to visit! Ahhhhhhh.....it is over. It is over and done, and I was waiting anxiously to be over when LOVE got in the way and at the stroke of 3:00, all tears broke loose. Those little tykes, dirty, painted faces and all due to an all-school activity, ran up to me and buried their heads into my belly and thanked me, cried, hugged me and melted my heart. The dance. It is worth it all.......
ReplyDeleteBonnie: I meant to comment on your sweet Sadie. I hope she has recovered from her eye surgery. It's amazing how those precious pups work themselves into our hearts. We miss our Argos so much. He, too, was the heartbeat at our feet, on the couch, in the bed--wherever he could work his cute little self into.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
I enjoyed this post - especially the photo of what age 77 could look like! Wow! Fedora for me, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie!! Thanks so much for your lovely comments and support, so much appreciated for sure. A wonderful post and how inspirational is Yoko at 77, certainly something to aim for! Wishing you a lovely week ahead my dear!!
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by and thought I'd leave a comment, hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed this post. I remember the day when John Lennon was shot so vividly. It's one of those things in your life that you'll always remember. While I wasn't a big Yoko Ono fan, my heart broke for her and their son Sean.
Yoko certainly is a survivor and she looks fantastic. I had no idea she was still performing. I think I'll youtube her and she what comes up.