Monday, February 13, 2012

If You Want It



The Plastic Ono Band's LP Live Peace In Toronto hit UK and US shelves on December 12th, 1969. John and Yoko promoted the release with an interview for South African radio; most likely on the same day, they participated in a track-by-track examination of the album with Radio Luxembourg's Tony Macarthur.

The latest component in their year-long advertising campaign for peace was unveiled December 16th, when billboards and posters appeared in 11 cities worldwide declaring WAR IS OVER! IF YOU WANT IT - HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM JOHN & YOKO.

On the 15th, the couple explained the poster event to a Dutch reporter from AVRO-TV's Televiezer Magazine; the next day, they did likewise for a French newsreel crew.

The evening of the 15th, John & Yoko performed at a UNICEF benefit in the Lyceum Ballroom, backed by a Plastic Ono supergroup including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and most of the Delaney & Bonnie touring band. Their performances of "Cold Turkey" and "Don't Worry Kyoko" were professionally recorded and later released on Some Time In New York City, but here is a partial (and poor quality) audience recording of the concert.

Earlier on the 15th, Ringo had recorded a special appeal for the Wireless for the Blind Fund, to be aired Christmas morning on BBC 1's Kenny Everett's Christmas Show. For the second year running, Kenny had been given the thankless task of assembling a Beatles Fan Club Christmas Message from various tapes submitted independently by the now Fractured Four. Only John and Yoko seemed to put much effort into their contribution, and as a result, they dominate what would be the final such disc, shipped to fan club members on December 19th:


1 comment:

  1. Never knew that an audience recording was available! Nice to hear the original vocals to Cold Turkey. Don't forget the footage to the event:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jusoemsyqUE

    ReplyDelete