Inside the private world of John Lennon and Yoko Ono: A publicist’s tale

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As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the history of music and its legends, I can say that Elliot Mintz’s memoir, “We All Shine On,” has been a riveting journey into the private lives of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Having grown up with their iconic tunes and countercultural activism shaping the backdrop of my youth, this book has offered me a unique perspective that’s as fascinating as it is amusing.

Elliot Mintz, who was well-known as a radio and TV host in Los Angeles and a music publicist, formed an exceptional bond with John Lennon and Yoko Ono after their initial encounter in the early 1970s. Regarding his career, he expressed that he always approached it with great importance, stating, “I treated it all with utmost seriousness.

The friendship between Mintz and the iconic couple, ignited by an interview about Ono’s album Fly, blossomed into an almost decade-long bond that lasted until Lennon’s untimely demise on December 8, 1980. At 79 years old and now a media consultant, Mintz has recounted his unique encounters with the famous pair in his memoir titled We All Shine On: John Yoko & Me. In this book, Mintz provides fresh insights into Lennon and Ono’s personal lives, unveiling their lesser-known idiosyncrasies and interests.

Instead, he stated that they seldom took the time to say farewell before ending the call, a behavior some might find impolite.

Beyond their rebellious personas, Lennon and Ono had an unusual preoccupation with staying slim, a fascination that significantly impacted various aspects of their lives. As Mintz shares, John would meticulously record his weight every day in a journal. This obsession with weight was evident in their daily routines, and they were always intrigued by the methods celebrities used to stay thin in Hollywood. A bizarre incident occurred when Lennon phoned Mintz at 4 a.m., seeking information on where he could find ‘diet pills’, assuming that such products were widely available in Los Angeles.

Why were John and Yoko image-obsessed (according to Mintz)?

According to Mintz, they believed everyone in Hollywood was thin and fit, even suggesting the existence of miracle weight loss pills. However, this request wasn’t met by him. In private, Lennon and Ono maintained an extravagant clothing lifestyle. Mintz compared their wardrobe setup to a boutique, filled with rotating racks and a circular ladder for easy access.

Arranged by pant size, their diverse inventory encompassed a range of hats, eyewear, and garments, such as jeans and pantsuits. Following Mintz’s observation, they categorized their different jeans and pantsuits based on waist measurement, from 28 inches up to approximately 32, taking into account their personal weight perception and the snugness of the trousers.

The image of John Lennon and Yoko Ono

John Lennon, most recognized as one of the founding members of the Beatles, was a dynamic creative spirit whose solo ventures gained momentum following the band’s disbandment in 1970, showcasing his growing artistic and activist endeavors alongside Yoko Ono. After the frenzy of Beatlemania subsided, Lennon and Ono, a collaborative duo who frequently pushed societal boundaries, created pieces like “Double Fantasy,” which won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1981, awarded posthumously to Lennon.

Their advocacy for peace, represented by iconic events like the “Bed-Ins for Peace” symbolized with doves, either solidified their status as cultural icons or gave the impression that they were wealthy individuals co-opting “causes” to maintain media attention and remain relevant (although it may have been a blend of both).

Following John Lennon’s passing, Mintz stayed connected to Ono, providing assistance throughout her ongoing musical and visual art endeavors, as well as cultivating a long-term relationship with their son, Sean Lennon who is now in his forties. This accomplished musician has carried on the artistic heritage of his parents by exploring different music genres and teaming up with diverse artists such as Les Claypool and Albert Hammond Jr., from The Strokes.

In the book “We All Shine On“, Mintz offers new perspectives on the personal lives of Lennon and Ono. He presents an alternate image of this couple who were frequently admired for their public personas and groundbreaking endeavors. For Mintz, this memoir serves as a celebration of his lasting friendship with them, while also revealing the raw, intricate truth behind one of rock music’s most renowned duos.

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2024-10-31 23:01