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DICK CLEMENT & IAN LA FRENAIS - LENNON: A WEEK IN THE LIFE (320kbs-m4a/101mb/44mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st June 2023
December, 1980: When just 40 people turn up to John Lennon's memorial service in Liverpool, his old pal and promoter Sam Leach is forced to act.
A true story with a huge heart.
The play draws together fragments of reportage from the time, interviews with Lennon himself, the true story of Sam Leach, the Beatles' first promoter and some of the greatest music of the 20th century.
It's all combined with the fictional stories of two lost young people whose lives were transformed by the concert, and Liverpool's own Billy Butler, recreating his earlier self, to create a joyous celebration of life, music and community.
Starring Tony Maudsley.
Written by Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais.
Adapted by Lizzie Nunnery.
Sam Leach ...... Tony Maudsley
Joan Leach ...... Joanna Monro
Debbie Leach ...... Lauren O'Neil
Janine Hobday ...... Laura dos Santos
Morris Tate ...... Bruce Alexander
Clive Inch ...... Craige Els
Kenny Stratton ...... John Shortell
Carol Stratton ...... Alison Pettitt
Billy Butler ...... Billy Butler
Traynor ...... John Biggins
Jonesy ...... David Seddon
Homeless man ...... Rufus Wright
Wooldridge ...... Nigel Hastings
Director: Jessica Dromgoole.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2010.
*** Broadcast as part of 4 Extra's Fab 4 season marking the 60th anniversary of the Beatles first universal chart number 1, From Me To You, in May 1963.
GREAT LIVES: SERIES 22 - 1. JOHN LENNON (320kbs-m4a/63mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 1st June 2023
Journalist John Harris, author of influential books on music, politics and popular culture, was born just as the Beatles were splitting up, and was only 11 when John Lennon died. Yet Lennon's mischievous anti-establishment position - and the richness of his lyrics and music - makes him Harris's nomination for a Great Life.
Matthew Parris tries to define what it is that makes this enigmatic, often difficult figure an inspiring subject for reflection.
The expert witness is Barry Miles, in whose London gallery John first met Yoko in the mid 1960s.
Produced by Christine Hall.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2010.
*** Broadcast as part of 4 Extra's Fab 4 season marking the 60th anniversary of the Beatles first universal chart number 1, From Me To You, in May 1963.
THE NEW ELIZABETHANS - JOHN LENNON / PAUL MCCARTNEY (320kbs-m4a/26mb/11mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 22nd May 2023
James Naughtie examines the lives and impact of the men and women who have given the second Elizabethan age its character.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney were two young men from Liverpool whose dazzling talent created first a band, then a cultural phenomenon and finally became a short hand for vast social change.
The New Elizabethans have been chosen by a panel of leading historians, chaired by Lord (Tony) Hall, Chief Executive of London's Royal Opera House. The panellists were Dominic Sandbrook, Bamber Gascoigne, Sally Alexander, Jonathan Agar, Maria Misra and Sir Max Hastings.
They were asked to choose: "Men and women whose actions during the reign of Elizabeth II have had a significant impact on lives in these islands and/or given the age its character, for better or worse."
Producer: James Cook.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2012.
*** Broadcast on 4 Extra to mark the 60th anniversary of the Beatles first universal chart number 1, From Me To You, in May 1963.
JOHN LENNON AT 80 - 3. JOHN LENNON AT THE BBC: FROM THE BEATLES’ EARLY DAYS TO HIS FINAL INTERVIEW (320kbs-m4a/262mb/1hr55mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 4th October 2020
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.
John Lennon - Mother [Capitol]
The Beatles - Twist and Shout [Capitol/Universal]
The Beatles - I Got To Find My Baby [Apple]
The Beatles - Help! [Parlophone]
The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever [Parlophone]
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [EMI]
The Beatles - Revolution [EMI/Parlophone]
John Lennon - Power To The People [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Cold Turkey [Parlophone]
John Lennon & Plastic Ono Band - Give Peace A Chance [EMI]
John Lennon - Instant Karma [Parlophone]
John Lennon (Feat. Plastic Ono Band) - Isolation[Parlophone]
John Lennon - Imagine [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Come Together [EMI]
Area Code 615 - Stone Fox Chase [Flamingo West]
David Bowie - Fame [EMI]
John Lennon - How Do You Sleep? [EMI]
John Lennon - Sweet Little Sixteen [Parlophone]
John Lennon - What You Got [EMI]
John Lennon - Whatever Gets You Thru The Night [Capitol]
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over [Geffen]
John Lennon - Woman [Capitol]
John Lennon - Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) [Capitol]
The Beatles - A Day In The Life [Parlophone]
John Lennon (Feat. Plastic Ono Band) - Love [Fame]
JOHN LENNON AT 80 - 2. PART 2 OF SEAN ONO LENNON'S MUSICAL PORTRAIT OF HIS DAD - WITH PAUL MCCARTNEY AND JULIAN LENNON (320kbs-m4a/126mb/55mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 4th October 2020
A celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th.
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.
JOHN LENNON AT 80 - 1. PART 1 OF SEAN ONO LENNON'S MUSICAL PORTRAIT OF HIS DAD - WITH ELTON JOHN AND JULIAN LENNON (320kbs-m4a/129mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 3rd October 2020
A celebration of John Lennon on what would have been his 80th birthday on October 9th.
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 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 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.
THE LENNON VISITORS (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 6th December 2019
Every year, around 8,000 people from 50 countries pay homage to John Lennon at his childhood home, Mendips. But who are these visitors and what do they seek from an ordinary suburban semi in Liverpool?
Comedian, Alexei Sayle, took the National Trust tour in 2009 and was so taken with its 1950s charm and with the spirit of it, that he's gone back; this time meeting custodian, Colin Hall and finding out what it's like to live in one of the most famous houses in Liverpool.
He also talks to some of those who visited the house when John Lennon lived there - John's cousin Mike; Colin Hanton, the drummer in John Lennon's band, the Quarrymen; and Freda Kelly, the Beatles' Club Secretary. And of course just a few of those 8000 visitors.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2010 to mark Lennon's 70th birthday.
The Beatles - Penny Lane
The Beatles - In My Life
The Beatles - Please Please Me
The Beatles - I Feel Fine
The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever
The Beatles - Come Together
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 19th November 2016
Susan Sarandon continues to explore the major moments of John's life that occurred in the city he called home from the early 70s, when he and Yoko moved there following the break up of The Beatles, until his death on 8 December 1980. Featuring input from friends and family, who lived and worked with Lennon during his New York years, this programme highlights the career-defining moments that were influenced by the Big Apple.
Contributors include David Bowie, Elton John, Jann Wenner, Bob Gruen, Klaus Voormann, Allan Tannenbaum, Larry Kane, Alan White, Elliot Mintz, Jack Douglas, Jonathan Cott, May Pang, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Ethan Russell, Yoko Ono and Julian Lennon, as well as excerpts from interviews John recorded in New York.
John Lennon - Meat City [EMI]
John Lennon - Aisumasen (I'm Sorry) [Parlophone ]
John Lennon - Surprise Surprise (Sweet Bird Of Paradox) [EMI]
John Lennon - #9 Dream [Parlophone]
John Lennon And H Nilsson - Old Dirt Road [EMI]
John Lennon - Ya Ya [EMI]
John Lennon - Bless You [EMI]
John Lennon - What You Got [EMI]
John Lennon - Whatever Gets You Through The Night [Capitol]
John Lennon - Real Love [EMI]
David Bowie - Across The Universe [EMI]
John Lennon - Stand By Me [EMI]
John Lennon - Ain't That A Shame [EMI]
John Lennon - Mucho Mungo [Capitol]
John Lennon - Sean's 'Little Help' [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) [Parlophone]
Elvis Presley - Santa Claus Is Back In Town [RCA/BMG]
Elvis Presley - Here Comes Santa Claus [RCA]
John Lennon - Woman [Capitol]
John Lennon - Watching The Wheels [Parlophone]
John Lennon - (Just Like) Starting Over [Parlophone]
Yoko Ono - Hard Times Are Over [Capitol]
John Lennon - Nobody Told Me [Polydor]
John Lennon - Borrowed Time [EMI]
Yoko Ono - Walking On Thin Ice [Capitol]
John Lennon - Oh My Love [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Grow Old With Me [Parlophone]
John Lennon - New York City [EMI]
Bob Dylan - If Not For You [Columbia]
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 18th November 2016
Susan Sarandon explores the major moments of John's life that occurred in the city he called home from the early 70s, when he and Yoko moved there following the break up of The Beatles, until his death on 8 December 1980. Featuring input from friends and family, who lived and worked with Lennon during his New York years, this programme highlights the career defining moments that were influenced by the Big Apple.
It was on John's first visit to New York in 1964, during The Beatles first US tour, that he was introduced to Bob Dylan. John was inspired by Dylan's lyrical creativity and Lennon's music would never be the same again. John and Yoko returned to New York whenever possible during the Beatles hectic final years and eventually decide to move there permanently in September 1971.
John and Yoko began recording their album, Sometime In New York City, with an agenda to protest against the social injustices they observed in the United States. With Phil Spector producing, and accompanied by members of the Plastic Ono Band, the album was completed in March of 1972 and remains the most overtly political recordings Lennon ever recorded.
In 1975 John retired from music to spend time as a "house husband", raising his son Sean at their Manhattan apartment, before returning to the studio with Yoko in 1980 to record the album Double Fantasy. But on 8 December, John murdered by Mark Chapman, who'd asked the former Beatle for his autograph only hours before he killed him.
John Lennon - New York City [EMI]
John Lennon - Power To The People [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Instant Karma [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Scared [EMI]
John Lennon And Yoko Ono - (Just Like) Starting Over [Geffen]
The Beatles - All My Loving [Apple]
Bob Dylan - Talkin' New York [Columbia]
The Beatles - Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby [Apple]
John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - God [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Long Lost John [Capitol]
John Lennon - How Do You Sleep [EMI]
John Lennon - Imagine [Parlophone]
John Lennon - New York City [EMI]
John Lennon - You Are Here [EMI]
John Lennon - Bring On The Lucie (Freda People) [EMI]
John Lennon & Yoko Ono - Happy Christmas (War Is Over) [EMI]
John Lennon - Imagine [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Attica State [Capitol]
John Lennon - Sunday Bloody Sunday
John Lennon And Yoko Ono & Plastic Ono Band - Woman Is The Nigger Of The World [EMI]
Yoko Ono - Song For John [Ryko]
John Lennon - I Know (I Know) [EMI]
John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band Featuring Elto - Power To The People [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Imagine [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Hound Dog
John Lennon - Cold Turkey [Parlophone]
John Lennon - Steel And Gas [EMI]
John Lennon - Give Peace A Chance [EMI]
John Lennon - I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier [Capitol]
John Lennon - Mind Games [Parlophone]
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 3rd October 2015
John Lennon: Verbatim marks the iconic Beatle's 75th birthday on October 9th with a soundscape incorporating rarely heard archive interviews, poetry readings, studio outtakes and alternative recordings of some of his most acclaimed compositions. It's a personal insight into the creative genius of one of the 20th century's most diverse artistes.
Long before public figures mastered the art of the sanitised sound bite to protect their privacy, Lennon always spoke openly and honestly about his art and his personal life, whether talking about his earliest childhood memories, the highs and lows of The Beatles or his solo career. Lennon loved radio because he found it more relaxing than coping with the confrontation of a television film crew, so his radio sessions were often very revealing and entertaining.
Collated from conversations recorded between 1962 and 1980, it's an opportunity to hear, in John's own words, the honesty and passion that fuelled his genius.
Produced by Des Shaw
A Ten Alps production for BBC Radio 4.
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 6th July 2007
An in-depth portrait of John Lennon, told through the audio of Jann Wenner's seminal 1970 New York interview with Lennon for Rolling Stone magazine.
It’s 1970 and John Lennon is about to release his first solo album. He’s not long emerged from months of Primal Therapy with its creator, Arthur Janov and he’s about to give his first major interview with Rolling Stone magazine. In the interview, he’ll talk openly about his solo career, the break-up of the world’s most famous band, his marriage and a lot more besides.
Wenner and Yoko Ono also look back on the event, but the focus is very much on Lennon, who seems energised by what he sees as his freedom from the Beatles.
It’s John Lennon at his most honest - and on occasion, his most abrasive.
There is frequent use of strong language.