John Lennon At 80

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Episode 1

20210428

20201003 (R2)

As part of 6 Music's John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Artist Collection, another chance to hear Radio 2's celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th 2020.

Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, the programme delves deep into the Lennon family's musical memories of John. In episode one, Sean and his elder brother Julian chat publicly for the first time about their father.

Both recall time spent in the studio at different points in John's solo career - Julian during the making of the 'Walls and Bridges' album in 1974 and Sean during the recording of 'Double Fantasy', shortly before John's death in December 1980. They chat warmly about their memories of growing up as 'John Lennon's son' and how that reflected on their own musical careers.

Elton John also chats to Sean about his close relationship with Lennon, his admiration of the Beatles as a youngster and the effect that meeting and playing music with John in the 1970's had on him. Elton also explains how he played a pivotal part in Sean's very existence (and ended up as Sean's Godfather as a result).

In Part 2, Sean will be in conversation with his father's friend, bandmate and songwriting partner, Paul McCartney. It will be the first time the pair have spoken together about John, for broadcast.

Sean also shares his own memories on his father's remarkable musical life, which created some of the most important musical milestones of the entire 20th Century.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

A celebration of John Lennon presented by his son Sean Ono Lennon.

A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday

Episode 2

20210428

20201004 (R2)

As part of 6 Music's John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Artist Collection, another chance to hear Radio 2's celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th 2020.

Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, this second part of the programme continues to explore John's musical life, this time with the help of his friend, collaborator and bandmate, Paul McCartney.

For the first time in public, Paul reveals to Sean his own memories of meeting John as a teenager in their hometown of Liverpool, their early musical beginnings, writing together, life as a Beatle and beyond. Paul plays an excerpt of a never-before-heard Lennon/McCartney composition - an example of one of their early tunes that didn't make it to the recording studio!

Also in this programme, Sean's elder brother Julian continues exploring his recollections of his father. In the previous episode, Sean's godfather, Elton John shared his own memories of his friendship and musical relationship with John, including the story of John's last ever live performance at an Elton show in New York in 1974.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

A celebration of John Lennon presented by his son Sean Ono Lennon.

A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday

Part 1 Of Sean Ono Lennon's Musical Portrait Of His Dad , With Elton John And Julian Lennon

20201003

20231111 (R2)

Another chance to hear a celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday.

Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, the programme will delve deep into the Lennon family's musical memories of John. In episode one, Sean and his elder brother Julian chat publicly for the first time about their father.

Both recall time spent in the studio at different points in John's solo career - Julian during the making of the Walls and Bridges album in 1974 and Sean during the recording of Double Fantasy, shortly before John's death in December 1980. They chat warmly about their memories of growing up as 'John Lennon's son,' and how that reflected on their own musical careers.

In part two, Sean will be in conversation with his father's friend, bandmate and songwriting partner, Paul McCartney. It will be the first time the pair have spoken together about John, for broadcast.

Sean will also share his own memories on his father's remarkable musical life, which created some of the most important musical milestones of the entire 20th century.

Sean Ono Lennon presents a musical portrait of his Dad.

A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday

A celebration of John Lennon. Presented by Sean Ono Lennon and featuring new interviews with Julian Lennon, Elton John and Paul McCartney.

Part 2 Of Sean Ono Lennon's Musical Portrait Of His Dad , With Paul Mccartney And Julian Lennon

20201004

20231112 (R2)

Another chance to hear a celebration of John Lennon.

Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, this second part of the programme will continue to explore John's musical life, this time with the help of his friend, collaborator and bandmate, Paul McCartney.

Celebrating John Lennon, presented by John's youngest son Sean Ono Lennon.

A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday

John Lennon At The Bbc: From The Beatles' Early Days To His Final Interview

20201004

Liza Tarbuck explores the BBC's archive of John Lennon's work from his earliest days with The Beatles up to his final interview recorded 2 days before his death in December 1980.

Born on the 9th of October 1940, John Lennon's work both as a musician and as a high-profile peace activist still resonates as loudly today as it did during his lifetime. He appeared frequently on BBC programmes which provide a fascinating insight into his creative output and worldview. His contributions were articulate, often controversial and always searingly honest as he talked about subjects including the Vietnam War, his protracted struggles with the US authorities as he tried and eventually succeeded in securing residency there, the break-up of The Beatles, his treatment by the press and the development of his music throughout the 1960s and 70s.

The featured programmes include his 1971 appearance on Parkinson alongside his wife Yoko Ono, performing his own poetry on Not Only But Also, talking to Bob Harris about his Rock 'N' Roll and Walls And Bridges albums on The Old Grey Whistle Test, an early 'pop profile' for the World Service with Brian Matthew and his explosive 1969 interview with veteran New York Times War Correspondent Gloria Emerson which was captured on film for the BBC's 24 Hours. Also featured are tracks from throughout his solo career which have been painstakingly restored and remixed for the newly released collection, Gimme Some Truth.

Liza Tarbuck explores the BBC's archive of John Lennon's interviews and performances.

A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
	Episode 1	20210428	20201003 (R2)	As part of 6 Music's John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Artist Collection, another chance to hear Radio 2's celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th 2020. Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, the programme delves deep into the Lennon family's musical memories of John. In episode one, Sean and his elder brother Julian chat publicly for the first time about their father. Both recall time spent in the studio at different points in John's solo career - Julian during the making of the 'Walls and Bridges' album in 1974 and Sean during the recording of 'Double Fantasy', shortly before John's death in December 1980. They chat warmly about their memories of growing up as 'John Lennon's son' and how that reflected on their own musical careers. Elton John also chats to Sean about his close relationship with Lennon, his admiration of the Beatles as a youngster and the effect that meeting and playing music with John in the 1970's had on him. Elton also explains how he played a pivotal part in Sean's very existence (and ended up as Sean's Godfather as a result). In Part 2, Sean will be in conversation with his father's friend, bandmate and songwriting partner, Paul McCartney. It will be the first time the pair have spoken together about John, for broadcast. Sean also shares his own memories on his father's remarkable musical life, which created some of the most important musical milestones of the entire 20th Century. First broadcast on BBC Radio 2. A celebration of John Lennon presented by his son Sean Ono Lennon. A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday
	Episode 2	20210428	20201004 (R2)	As part of 6 Music's John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Artist Collection, another chance to hear Radio 2's celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th 2020. Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, this second part of the programme continues to explore John's musical life, this time with the help of his friend, collaborator and bandmate, Paul McCartney. For the first time in public, Paul reveals to Sean his own memories of meeting John as a teenager in their hometown of Liverpool, their early musical beginnings, writing together, life as a Beatle and beyond. Paul plays an excerpt of a never-before-heard Lennon/McCartney composition - an example of one of their early tunes that didn't make it to the recording studio! Also in this programme, Sean's elder brother Julian continues exploring his recollections of his father. In the previous episode, Sean's godfather, Elton John shared his own memories of his friendship and musical relationship with John, including the story of John's last ever live performance at an Elton show in New York in 1974. First broadcast on BBC Radio 2. A celebration of John Lennon presented by his son Sean Ono Lennon. A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday
	Part 1 Of Sean Ono Lennon's Musical Portrait Of His Dad , With Elton John And Julian Lennon	20201003	20231111 (R2)	Another chance to hear a celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday. Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, the programme will delve deep into the Lennon family's musical memories of John. In episode one, Sean and his elder brother Julian chat publicly for the first time about their father. Both recall time spent in the studio at different points in John's solo career - Julian during the making of the Walls and Bridges album in 1974 and Sean during the recording of Double Fantasy, shortly before John's death in December 1980. They chat warmly about their memories of growing up as 'John Lennon's son,' and how that reflected on their own musical careers. Elton John also chats to Sean about his close relationship with Lennon, his admiration of the Beatles as a youngster and the effect that meeting and playing music with John in the 1970's had on him. Elton also explains how he played a pivotal part in Sean's very existence (and ended up as Sean's Godfather as a result). In part two, Sean will be in conversation with his father's friend, bandmate and songwriting partner, Paul McCartney. It will be the first time the pair have spoken together about John, for broadcast. Sean will also share his own memories on his father's remarkable musical life, which created some of the most important musical milestones of the entire 20th century. Sean Ono Lennon presents a musical portrait of his Dad. A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday A celebration of John Lennon. Presented by Sean Ono Lennon and featuring new interviews with Julian Lennon, Elton John and Paul McCartney.
	Part 2 Of Sean Ono Lennon's Musical Portrait Of His Dad , With Paul Mccartney And Julian Lennon	20201004	20231112 (R2)	Another chance to hear a celebration of John Lennon. Presented by his youngest son, Sean Ono Lennon, this second part of the programme will continue to explore John's musical life, this time with the help of his friend, collaborator and bandmate, Paul McCartney. For the first time in public, Paul reveals to Sean his own memories of meeting John as a teenager in their hometown of Liverpool, their early musical beginnings, writing together, life as a Beatle and beyond. Paul plays an excerpt of a never-before-heard Lennon/McCartney composition - an example of one of their early tunes that didn't make it to the recording studio! Also in this programme, Sean's elder brother Julian continues exploring his recollections of his father. In the previous episode, Sean's godfather, Elton John shared his own memories of his friendship and musical relationship with John, including the story of John's last ever live performance at an Elton show in New York in 1974. Celebrating John Lennon, presented by John's youngest son Sean Ono Lennon. A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday
03	John Lennon At The Bbc: From The Beatles' Early Days To His Final Interview	20201004		Liza Tarbuck explores the BBC's archive of John Lennon's work from his earliest days with The Beatles up to his final interview recorded 2 days before his death in December 1980. Born on the 9th of October 1940, John Lennon's work both as a musician and as a high-profile peace activist still resonates as loudly today as it did during his lifetime. He appeared frequently on BBC programmes which provide a fascinating insight into his creative output and worldview. His contributions were articulate, often controversial and always searingly honest as he talked about subjects including the Vietnam War, his protracted struggles with the US authorities as he tried and eventually succeeded in securing residency there, the break-up of The Beatles, his treatment by the press and the development of his music throughout the 1960s and 70s. The featured programmes include his 1971 appearance on Parkinson alongside his wife Yoko Ono, performing his own poetry on Not Only But Also, talking to Bob Harris about his Rock 'N' Roll and Walls And Bridges albums on The Old Grey Whistle Test, an early 'pop profile' for the World Service with Brian Matthew and his explosive 1969 interview with veteran New York Times War Correspondent Gloria Emerson which was captured on film for the BBC's 24 Hours. Also featured are tracks from throughout his solo career which have been painstakingly restored and remixed for the newly released collection, Gimme Some Truth. Liza Tarbuck explores the BBC's archive of John Lennon's interviews and performances. A celebration of the music legend on what would have been his 80th birthday