Rockin' Out with John Lennon: Life After the Beatles' Breakup
Post-Beatles Existence: Exploring the Lives of Former Beatles Band Members - Post-Beatles Era Unfolds: Band Members Pursue Solo Careers
Penning this piece: Jochen SiemensEst. Reading Time: Approx. 3 Min
While pop enthusiasts already know the scoop, those less familiar with the Beatles' grain should pay heed: John Lennon, during his 1972 New York solo concert - three years post-Beatles split - chomped on gum as he sang, "Come together..." and "Instant Karma." Was he carefree, or anxious as hell? New York City's vibe, the absence of his Beatles pals, and Yoko Ono by his side seem to suggest both.
Director Kevin Macdonald, the man behind "Whitney" and "High and Low - John Galliano," has rejuvenated Lennon through a lively montage of archived footage, film snippets, the New York concert recording, and Lennon's self-recorded phone conversations in his film "One to One."
The film's intensity arises from a clever trick: Macdonald recreated the first small apartment in the Bank Street where Lennon and Ono moved in late 1971, and the film returns to this dwelling repeatedly between the rapid archive excerpts and news of the time. It feels like a haven amidst the chaos, with the TV acting as the world's window into Lennon and Ono's life.
Macdonald's work flips through contemporary TV news, talk shows, ads, "The Waltons" series, and images from the Vietnam War, providing historical depth and context to Lennon/Ono's social and political story.
Moving to the USA post-Beatles was no flight from England but a deliberate choice for Lennon, the most political of the Fab Four. In 1971, he released "Power to the People" and "Imagine," which became anthems. He saw the social and political change he sought not in England but the USA, among musicians like Bob Dylan and radical activists like Jack Rubin and A. J. Weberman.
Revisiting the tumultuous 1970s, "One to One" provides a fascinating glimpse into Lennon's interaction with the anti-war movement. While protests were heated, Lennon remained calm and composed, even diplomatic at times. He sensed that the hippie ideal of changing the world was a failing dream.
Lennon's meeting with the anti-war movement is a highlight, showcasing the reflective Lennon amongst heated protests and a tumultuous era. On camera and in recorded phone calls, Lennon appears calm, composed, opinionated, and sometimes diplomatic. He even tried convincing Dylan to join a solidarity concert for a "Free the People" tour.
The documentary doesn't only concentrate on Lennon but provides insight into Yoko Ono's life during this period as well. She emerges as a fierce feminist and proto-punk artist, immersed in her own personal and political struggles.
Today, as we watch "One to One," we long for more individuals like John Lennon. Where are the modern-day Lennons fighting for peace, non-violence, and social justice in our autocratic world?
- John Lennon, known as the most political of the Beatles, found a new home for his activism in the USA, associating with musicians like Bob Dylan and radical activists.
- In the documentary "One to One", the film's archive excerpts and news of the time are juxtaposed with scenes from the Vietnam War, painting a picture of the tumultuous 1970s and Lennon's interaction with the anti-war movement.
- Amidst the chaos and intense political climate, the first small apartment in the Bank Street, where Lennon and Yoko Ono lived, serves as a symbolic haven, a glimpse into their personal lives amidst the constant public glare.
- Yoko Ono, depicted in "One to One", emerges as a strong feminist and proto-punk artist, navigating her personal and political struggles alongside Lennon in the limelight of the entertainment industry and pop-culture.
