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14 April 2010
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Wigwam said
With regards to John’s legacy…….and current relevance, ask yourself who else profits from their attachment to his ‘brand’?
Sean.
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20 August 2013
Yoko Ono spoke at the Cambridge Union this past Friday night.
I just read two articles about the event.
With people queuing for more than an hour in advance, Yoko Ono received a warm welcome to the Cambridge Union. The artist and anti-war activist, also known for being the widow of John Lennon , started out by delivering a speech about the destructive effects of human greed on nature and pleaded for a “cleansing of the planet”, before taking part in a short Q&A session. Both her speech and her answers seemed to carry the same underlying message about the beauty of life and the power of one individual to change in the world.
Yoko Ono’s speech was centered around the collective responsibility of the human race to protect not only our planet, but also the Universe as a whole. She stated that “The only thing we did for the Universe was spill out poison into the stratosphere” before going on to compare the recent discovery of the existence of water on Mars with a potential colonisation driven by human ambition. After driving the audience’s attention to the ongoing destruction of the planet, she concluded by saying: “We are just a small part of a larger community called the Universe”.
When asked about the advice she would give to current Cambridge students, she stated that age should not be seen as an impediment and that everyone should decide what is important for themselves, without being influenced by outside sources: “You are like a collage. Each little piece is extremely important”. She also discussed her views on war, saying that what happened at 9/11 “was incredibly tragic. The U.S. didn’t know how to deal with the attack so it became an even bigger tragedy”.
The evening took a humorous turn when she was asked about her favourite memory with her late husband, to which she replied: “Well, I could write 20 books”. Amidst talk of racism, sexism and discrimination, Ono went on to affirm that everyone should be proud of their achievements and ended the evening on an optimistic note, talking about each individual’s potential for making a change.
And a strange, not-so-nice or positive, write up.
YOKO ONO AT THE UNION: 10 best quotes (with translations)
On Friday evening, the really lovely elderly widow of John Lennon came to the Cambridge Union and said lots of really lovely things. (well, that sounds okay)
If you were at the Union last night, you probably didn’t understand much of what Yoko Ono said. Unless, of course, you were high – like Yoko was (back in the day, obviously, not last night, obvs).Yoko began with a wonderful speech about the “metallic voices” of today’s capitalist society and then, after a swig directly from the rim of a litre glass bottle of water, took ten moderated questions. Not that she really needed a moderator. More pressing was a translator.
10. ON MARS
“We’re searching for a planet not to make friends but to colonise. . . . We Earth beings are ready to fight any-time to get our way.”
Yoko thinks humans are greedy and violent. She says this a lot. It is definitely not self-evident.9. ON SUICIDE
“Humanity is like a collage. Each little piece which is you we need for us.”
Yoko evidently has her own badly-worded variation of the common metaphor that ‘the sum of the parts make up the whole’.8. ON SELF-BELIEF
“It is you who will tell you what to do is you.”
Yoko seems to be emphasising self-belief. But it’s slightly confusing.7. ON 9/11
“Many tragedies happen in the world and not just New York.”
Yoko thinks 9/11 is a bit overblown. She thinks the US did not know how to deal with it – the “tragedy” was their response to it.6. ON BEING COMMITTED AND PROUD
“Commitment is a heavy word. I am committed to life. . . . I am most proud of surviving up till now. I think we should be proud, despite the incredible power against us.”
Yoko doesn’t like to commit – committing is a big deal. She does concede she’s committed to life. Which is heartening. And, no, there wasn’t an assassination attempt yesterday – Yoko is just proud to be alive. She is generally proud of being proud.5. ON WHAT SHE THINKS TO BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG
“Everything is beautiful. Any song that touches you is beautiful to you.”
Yoko said she would “not mention my own songs.”Crazyyyyyyyyyy
Crazyyyyyyyyyy times4. ON VESTED INTERESTS AND WAR
“That is all just in your head . . . Human race is blessed with a brain that has elasticity – you can change it tomorrow; the brain is a weapon, sorry, an instrument.”
Yoko says the problem of the “establishment” and established interests – corporations and governments – in blocking world peace “is all just in your head.”3. ON RACISM
“It’s not just racism as much as sexism, ageism . . . these things just exist. We should not consider them things to think about.”
These things “just” exist, according to Yoko. Don’t think about them – think about “love” instead, she says.2. ON INTELLIGENCE
“Nobody’s stupid.”
Yoko is adamant about this. We’re not so sure. Clearly, Yoko isn’t stupid.1. ON CANTABS
“Grow into beautiful, beautiful blossom.”
Yoko said goodbye. What a lovely, beautiful, lovely way to end.So there you have it. Everything you need to know about Yoko Ono. YOLO. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had quite enough of the Union’s Beatles-themed line-up.
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I think the two writeups reflect the frame of mind of the authors and not what happened. Yoko’s art, and maybe even her persona itself, elicit widely differing responses in people. It’s all about the responses.
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20 August 2013
Expert Textpert, you may want to stop reading this post now.
Andy Peebles breaks his silence over the 1980 interview he did with John and Yoko and his subsequent contacts with Yoko.
One piece of the article
Peebles fears that John and Yoko – but especially Yoko – manipulated him for the sake of commercial profit. And, perhaps most troubling of all, he concludes that the couple’s ‘Starting Over’ episode in December 1980 was a sham promotional exercise, designed to restore John’s profile after a five-year absence.
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17 October 2013
When Yoko was on Top of the Pops for one of John’s solo songs…….And sat knitting with a sanitary towel covering her eyes……She was presumably symbolising the repression of women……
………But I wondered in latter years……Was she also sniggering at the wool she was pulling over John’s eyes……….And the rest?
In my honestly held opinion the only ‘art’ she can truly lay any substantial claim to is the ‘art’ of the ‘Con’.
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8 January 2015
Ahhh Girl said
Andy Peebles breaks his silence over the 1980 interview he did with John and Yoko and his subsequent contacts with Yoko.
I remember the interview, the BBC published at least two Peebles interviews, one with Elton John, the other John and Yoko, I had both books for years. The article is playing up Peebles guesses here, but of course the interview was a commercial opportunity, and Peebles is naive for claiming it was anything more. And friendships with media people are of course complicated by a commercial relationship, think about it from Ono’s point of view. It’s almost as if Yoko is not allowed to have a life after John or something. She may not be the greatest person, but she is who she is and no amount of stamping your foot and demanding that she play some role you feel more comfortable with is going to work. I find these sorts of articles petulant and self-serving “oh I was friends with a famous person when I had media contacts and now that I don’t they dropped me, it must be because they’re evil”, bah
Does anyone think Olivia is any less tenacious about George’s legacy? Do you think Nancy will be? Or Barbara? Don’t kid yourselves.
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I think there is some truth in what Peebles says and in some areas I think he is wide of the mark.
Yoko wont be the first in history to sound out an interviewer before the interviewer gets access to the star and John and Yoko wouldnt be the first to manipulate the press for commercial gain, thats part of showbusiness and had been for years. They marketed the product in a way that would sell. Read any interviews from the period and you can tell what John and Yoko said was not always accurate.
‘The bottom line, of course, was that she was just an average Japanese artist who got lucky – and wrecked the greatest band that Britain has ever produced.’
As soon as such a statement is made you start to question what is being said as its not true.
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meanmistermustard said
‘The bottom line, of course, was that she was just an average Japanese artist who got lucky – and wrecked the greatest band that Britain has ever produced.’
The first half of that sentence is what I have felt for a long time. The second half of that sentence, IMO, is utter nonsense.
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
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3 November 2015
I’ve seen that article as well. If someone were to make an argument against Yoko, then they should at least make it look credible. It is biased and its author is sore about something. I believe that it would make the most sense for the band to fall from within since its members were falling apart internally or had their own ambitions/issues to sort out. It is stupid to also believe that Yoko is perfect. What I would like to read is a factual account of her personality without the extremes of advocating or shaming her.
It could be worse, though. Just the other day I saw a magazine advertising Paul’s love affair with Yoko.
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KaleidoscopeMusic said
I’ve seen that article as well. If someone were to make an argument against Yoko, then they should at least make it look credible. It is biased and its author is sore about something. I believe that it would make the most sense for the band to fall from within since its members were falling apart internally or had their own ambitions/issues to sort out. It is stupid to also believe that Yoko is perfect. What I would like to read is a factual account of her personality without the extremes of advocating or shaming her.It could be worse, though. Just the other day I saw a magazine advertising Paul’s love affair with Yoko.
meanmistermustard said here
Strange how George held no grudge towards Pattie and Eric when they got together and Ringo held no grudge when George and Maureen got together. For most it would destroy friendships and leave resentment for years.
The ways of Beatles.
Jusst waiting to hear the rumours of John and Linda and Paul and Yoko being true.
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To me it’s the central hypocrisy that strikes me, that he complains about Yoko cashing in on John, and then complains that the BBC won’t let him exploit his interview with John by letting him use it for talks and lecture tours.
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17 October 2013
Ron Nasty said
To me it’s the central hypocrisy that strikes me, that he complains about Yoko cashing in on John, and then complains that the BBC won’t let him exploit his interview with John by letting him use it for talks and lecture tours.
It’s certainly reprehensible. I suppose though, it’s a matter of degree…….
Of the two, which one has exploited John the most?
7.44pm
18 April 2013
If John were alive he’d be exploiting himself, so it doesn’t matter who’s doing the job. Peebles is obviously just upset that he can’t cash in. Yoko is notorious for vetting those who do interviews. She does it with astrology and Tarot readings and numerology.
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8.07pm
17 October 2013
Expert Textpert said
If John were alive he’d be exploiting himself, so it doesn’t matter who’s doing the job. Peebles is obviously just upset that he can’t cash in. Yoko is notorious for vetting those who do interviews. She does it with astrology and Tarot readings and numerology.
I see your point ET…..But ‘exploit’ is a word that can be used in two ways.
It’s a positive use of the word to say, ‘We should ‘exploit’ the world’s resources properly to avoid unnecessary pollution.’
In that, positive sense. John could ‘exploit’ his life’s work to promote himself.
But there is another more negative use of the word….ie. when someone ‘exploits’ another person’s work, or reputation to gain an advantage for them self.
I think this is true of Mr Peebles ……but infinitely more so of Yoko.
It’s for everyone to take their own view. I’m sure you feel differently and I don’t hope, (anymore) to convince anyone that my circumspection and mistrust of Yoko has validity.
I do agree however that she didn’t cause the breakup……merely a factor in it.
Keeping this lighthearted….
you wrote:……….’She,(Yoko) does it with astrology and Tarot readings and numerology.’
‘I just want to say that I almost had Yoko as a girl friend but we broke up before we met’
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Expert Textpert said
If John were alive he’d be exploiting himself, so it doesn’t matter who’s doing the job. Peebles is obviously just upset that he can’t cash in. Yoko is notorious for vetting those who do interviews. She does it with astrology and Tarot readings and numerology.
I cannot for the life of me see John authorising or agreeing to a ton of the merchandise that Yoko has licensed or agreed to or the use of his music in commercials for cars etc. Nor can i see him wanting all the compilations and reissues getting released endlessly.
However he’s gone, killed, so what else can Yoko do. And if he wasn’t then every second since would have been vastly difference so you cant put that forward either as who can predict what is to come – expect the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
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18 April 2013
Wigwam said
Expert Textpert said
If John were alive he’d be exploiting himself, so it doesn’t matter who’s doing the job. Peebles is obviously just upset that he can’t cash in. Yoko is notorious for vetting those who do interviews. She does it with astrology and Tarot readings and numerology.I see your point ET…..But ‘exploit’ is a word that can be used in two ways.
It’s a positive use of the word to say, ‘We should ‘exploit’ the world’s resources properly to avoid unnecessary pollution.’
In that, positive sense. John could ‘exploit’ his life’s work to promote himself.
But there is another more negative use of the word….ie. when someone ‘exploits’ another person’s work, or reputation to gain an advantage for them self.
I think this is true of Mr Peebles ……but infinitely more so of Yoko.
It’s for everyone to take their own view. I’m sure you feel differently and I don’t hope, (anymore) to convince anyone that my circumspection and mistrust of Yoko has validity.
I do agree however that she didn’t cause the breakup……merely a factor in it.
Keeping this lighthearted….
you wrote:……….’She,(Yoko) does it with astrology and Tarot readings and numerology.’
‘I just want to say that I almost had Yoko as a girl friend but we broke up before we met’
I actually once did a Tarot reading before asking a girl out. When she said no, I simply said, I knew you were going to say no. I did a Tarot reading.
Some months later, I was at a stop sign in my car with my windows down, and she pulled up on a bicycle. She looked very happy to see me, and leaned in to say something, so I sped off.
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“Yoko Ono sat down for an exclusive chat with ITV News after collecting the ‘NME Inspiration Award’ and talked backlashes, fame and John Lennon .”
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