BootlegZone

I have been listening to the Dec. 8, 1980 John (& Yoko) interview for the first time ever this week and I was shocked at how much John moved to the center of the political spectrum during his 5-year hiatus. He seems to have become less of a bomb-thrower and more of an peacemaker of both sides of the political fence. Warning us not to cast too much praise or criticism on our presidents (wow, we could learn a lot from Lennon on that subject). He sounded like somebody who was truly interested in cooperation and not in ramming a particular position down the opponents' throat. Why hasn't this image been portrayed more since his death? It was a very peaceful discussion. He and Yoko don't sound anything like the naive and militant activists they came across as in the early 70s. I suppose growing up and raising a child can have that effect on people. It was refreshing to hear him talk in such a frank and candid manor about everything from why he won't let Sean watch commercials on TV to why they eat what they eat. Unfortunately, I can't get out of my head what was to happen later that night. What a melancholy interview. Track the unedited interview down if you haven't heard it yet. It'll make you want to smile and cry...

I've only heard the Milk and Honey version but I had no idea the unedited interview was so long.. I'll give it a listen for sure

I'd also love to hear the 1980 Playboy interview instead of just reading it, but I'm afraid that tape hasn't appeared yet.

Good points, RAJ. Exactly the same sentiments I have about his interviews from this period. Very treasurable. Also be sure to check out the Andy Peebles interview with John & Yoko from December 6th.

I'm listening to that one right now. It's like being in the room with them (on both interviews) as you hear the interaction with the interviewers and the phone ringing on the wall, etc. How sad...

PS - Sorry 'bout the double post of my initial message...I thought the first one was accidentally deleted.

I read the Playboy interview last week in bed one night and it didn't have the same impact as the audio of the two interviews on tape. Besides, the Playboy interview was done a month or so earlier; before all the success of Double Fantasy had yet hit. I wonder if there is an unedited audio recording of that interview as well? John comes across so much more pleasant on tape than he does in print in my honest opinion.

What is the longest interview with john that was done in one sitting that there is audio of ? How many hours was it ?

I think it is the Dec. 8th interview. The one I'm listening to right now (at work) is Dec. 6th which has a chapter titled "Time For A Break" before the second half. They both seem about 2 hrs in length. I'm captivated.

it would have to be this one : http://www.bootlegzone.com/album.php?na ... &section=2
around 4 hours of venom & vitriol. John just won't let go of the stick.

Was that the "A Heart Play" LP you're talking about? Which interview is that taken from? Dec. 6 or 8? I never did grab that LP. Also, is Macca's 1980 interview album available anywhere?

hi there, is this the unedited RKO interview? I have been trying to track down the unedited version for years, can anyone steer me to where to get this? I love the 16980 interviews
but only have the partial version of this RKO interview. Thanks so much.

I don't know that LP.. The Milk and Honey LP just featured the 8 december interview but very shortened (21 minutes)


http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VBQF45R3
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=N9FUCGZC
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=73PY25P7

What date is the RKO interview?

8 december.. The RKO interview is the interview you were talking about?

I wasn't aware of it being called the RKO interview as I didn't have any info on it other than the date (12-8-80).

Thanx.

By the way, I started listening to it whilst sitting behind my PC but I always lose focus. I should really sit down for this.

Me too...I had to back up the player a few times to catch what slipped by while I was distracted with something else.

The "Milk And Honey" bonus track interview is a edit of the interview for RKO General Radio Network, San Fransisco conducted by David Sholin in the afternoon of that fateful day of December 8th.

From: "25 years later, Lennon interview plays on":

thanks very much, i really appreciate that. d/l now!

I am assuming that I have the complete, unedited interviews. The article said that the Dec. 8th interview took 3 hrs but I only have the three segments totaling 2 1/2 hours. Am I missing something? Are these three files (megaupload) 2 1/2 hours as well?

Well, first of there are a few minutes missing because of bad tape copies. And I guess three hours is a bit exaggerated. Yes, the MU files run the same time.

Cool. thanx.

I assume the longer version of the RKO Radio interview is the complete tape. Because as we know, it's starts with testing, interruptions and even alone with Yoko, and ends with the full wrap up.

The (written) Playboy interviews are (partly?) existing in audio form, but I can't imagine the full interview was taped. David Sheff interviewed John for almost 30 hours in total for Playboy Magazine on various locations. David Sheff was under the impression that he had an exclusive interview with John, but while he was interviewing John for 10 days in mid-September, the "exclusive interview" for Newsweek hit the stores. Playboy Magazine was not amused, but John made up by telling exclusively about many Beatles songs on the remaining interview days. These details about the Beatles songs was the source for many reference books.

To make the overview complete: That "exclusive interview" for Newsweek by Barbara Graustark at 17 September was taped and snippets were broadcasted on WNEW FM by Dennis Elsas. That broadcast is available at Black Cat (BC 011).

Lisa Robinson interviewed John at the Record Plant East at 24 September while mixing "Double Fantasy" (faintly heared in the background, "Watching The Wheels"). Portions of this interview were broadcasted on 97-FM Radio in Buffalo, and rebroadcasted in 1982. That rebroadcast can be heard at Wolfgangs Vault.

Jonathan Cott had a meeting with John for Rolling Stone on December 5. At the same day John met Andy Peebles for BBC Radio One. But that actual interview for the BBC took place on December 6. Both interviews were taped. Portions of the Andy Peebles interview were broadcasted on BBC Radio One after John's death, and a 60 minute-edit was released in 1990 as "John & Yoko: The Interview" (BBC CD 6002).

Those interviews with John just before his death just annoy me more than anything. Most of the time he's doing a McCartney-like spin on everything rather than just being honest. And the whole Balladofjohnandyoko fairytale really was just getting nauseating by that time. He sounded really quite dull, nothing like the John of old.

The best interviews John ever did were during his lost weekend, where he dropped all the spin and just talked about himself and his past.

I always thought he sounded very jaded during the RKO interview, as if he snorted some marching powder.......