John Lennon and Yoko Ono are interviewed for the BBC’s Scene And Heard

John Lennon and Yoko Ono gave an interview on this day for the BBC radio show Scene And Heard.

It was recorded at the Lennons’ office in Apple’s headquarters in Savile Row, London. David Wigg was the interviewer.

Although The Beatles had essentially split up, and Lennon had no intention to work with them again, he was still reluctant to draw a line under the group in public. Although he admitted there were no plans to work together until the release of the Let It Be album and film, he said he “wouldn’t destroy it [the group] out of hand”, and that the current hiatus could be “a rebirth or a death”.

He did, however, reveal plans to record an album with Ono and Phil Spector, and that Paul McCartney was planning his own solo release (Lennon was unaware that McCartney had been working on the McCartney album since late 1969.)

Challenged by Wigg on The Beatles’ lack of activity, Lennon pointed out that a similar lull had taken place before the release of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He explained further that the discussions over appointing a manager to run Apple had caused a great deal of friction, as had the failure to retain control over Northern Songs.

The edition of Scene And Heard, containing 5:10 of the interview, was first broadcast on 15 February 1970 on BBC Radio 1 from 3-4pm. A 15-minute version was heard on the BBC World Service show Profile on 28 May.