Introduction to the interview by Jody Denberg in 2000

Interviewing Yoko Ono in May 1997 shortly before the reissue of all of her albums on Rykodisc was a unique time to be able to talk to her because it allowed for a retrospective approach. Although we had casually talked about the potential of this conversation being a promotional CD to herald the Ryko reissues, that never came to pass. Small portions of this conversation were used for an article that was printed in both the Austin Chronicle newspaper and The Album Network magazine, but this is the first time the bulk of this freewheeling exchange has appeared anywhere.

As you will read, Yoko talks easily about everything from her earliest childhood memories to her visions for the future and everything in between, expounding upon questions candidly with very little prodding.

In fact, after the interview (with a little prodding from me!) she took the engineer and myself upstairs from her offices in Studio One where we talked (on the ground floor of the Dakota) to her apartment on the 7th floor for a full tour. I am happy to share with you this conversation with Yoko in honor of her 67th birthday.