To
conduct a comprehensive dialogue... ...with Yoko Ono would take
months...and where would the story begin or end? Like one of her drawings, Yoko
Ono's story evolves and morphs, seemingly reflecting the atmosphere it is surrounded
by at any given time. I am thankful that AIU
has chosen to archive the transcripts of my interviews with Yoko Ono, a series
of conversations that began in September of 1984. Having
grown up in New York City in the 1970s I was lucky enough to witness John &
Yoko's political activism in my hometown, and sadly watched as the immigration
fiasco tried to remove John Lennon from the U.S. and threatened their will to
live happily in America. At least that part of the J&Y saga ended happily.
Like most fans I had a million questions for Yoko Ono - and when I got the opportunity
to begin asking them Yoko NEVER flinched from responding in a candid, completely
honest fashion. In fact, although we did not meet until 1992, I saw Yoko's triumphant
Beacon Theater concert in 1986, and, actually we were in the same room twelve
years earlier on November 28, 1974: I attended Elton John's Madison Square Garden
concert that John Lennon made a guest appearance at, an evening that to this day
Yoko cites as a turning point in their relationship. The
first time we did actually meet at the Dakota's Studio One offices I gave Yoko
my ticket stub for that fateful 1974 concert. She was taken aback and asked if
I was sure I didn't want to keep it. When I insisted she said she would frame
it and give it to Sean because without that night Sean might not exist. Yoko has
never forgotten that ticket stub gesture... And I will never
forget my treasured moments with Yoko, one of the great visionaries of our time.
I will not forget her concert at the Japan Society
which provided some of the tracks for her album Blueprint For A Sunrise. I will
not forget her appearance at the Houston opening of
her touring retrospective Yes Yoko Ono - an appearance
at which she wore a shirt I had designed for her with a Texas theme. And I will
NEVER EVER forget my brief spin on the dancefloor with Yoko at her 70th birthday
party. Thanks for the memories so far Yoko; I hope there are many more to come... Jody
Denberg
Austin, Texas
All of these interviews were aired on the radio. Most were
also published in part for various publications. Three were issued by Capitol
Records as promotional items.
1984
A
phone conversation concerning the just released Yoko
tribute album Every Man Has A Woman. Sean actually got on the phone and blurted
out hello during this chat! 1992
An
in person interview at the Dakota's Studio One offices to talk about the soon
to be issued Onobox, a project that put Yoko's
music on CD for the 1st time. An occasion to talk about all of Yoko's music to
date. 1996
Rising
tour interview in Yoko's hotel room in Seattle before her concert with Ima
at the Crocodile Cafe. Members of R.E.M. and Soundgarden jammed on the Mindtrain
encore that night. A hurried chat as Yoko's concert and dinner loomed... 1997
The
Rykodisc reissue series interview at the Dakota. After this exhaustive chat
Yoko invited me up to her apartment on the seventh floor of the Dakota and actually
gave me a tour of all the rooms. Her graciousness that day was a gift I will always
cherish....from the Imagine piano to the window reflected on the Season of Glass
cover to the Egyptian room, Yoko shared all. 1998
Conducted
in a studio in Manhattan, this interview served a dual purpose: it was recorded
for a promotional CD called Howitis:
The John Lennon Anthology Yoko Ono Interview and filmed to be used for a video
press kit. The entire interview was transcribed in the CD's booklet.
We
also filmed Yoko returning to the apartment she shared in Greenwich Village with
John for the first time ever, as well as taking a walk in Strawberry Fields. An
opportunity to talk about all facets of Yoko's relationship and recording with
John Lennon. 2000
A
phone interview conducted to discuss the Austin visit of The
Artwork Of John Lennon. 2000
For
the year of John Lennon's 60th Birthday (which was also the 20th Anniversary of
his passing), and to coincide with the remastering and reissuing of three of Lennon's
classic albums, Yoko and I spoke at length about John's solo career. This interview
was issued by Capitol Records as a promotional CD which Yoko titled Starting
Over. The entire transcript of this interview is printed in the CD's booklet
as well, with amazing cover photos by Allan Tannenbaum. 2002
A
conversation in the kitchen of the Dakota about the just issued Blueprint
For A Sunrise, Yoko's burgeoning dance career and odds and ends... 2003
Another
phone conversation about the touring Artwork of
John Lennon show. 2004
Two
Sides of Lennon: Yoko Ono interviewed by Jody in October 2004 about the John
Lennon albums Acoustic and Rock and Roll (reissue).
2007
A phone interview Yoko Ono did with Jody Denberg in March 2007.
 Photos
of Yoko Ono and Jody Denberg
Jody
Denberg himself interviewed in 2005
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jody
denberg & yoko ono
