(Entered December 28, 1997)

The Sunday Times Media Correspondent, Nicholas Hellen wrote a piece about Yoko vs.Paul McCartney in which Yoko dismisses Paul's attempts at classical music, and his other apparent attempts in the years since John Lennon's death, to take credit for artistic and musical talents that John has been known for.

Hellen wrote that Yoko described McCartney as a musician whose true genius was for organising John Lennon's talent. Writes Hellen: "Ono, who as Lennon's wife went down in history as the woman who broke up the Beatles, has reopened hostilities with McCartney by comparing his rift with Lennon to the celebrated feud between Mozart and Antonio Salieri.

"Salieri, a technically superb composer whose talents were overshadowed by Mozart's inherent genius, was so enraged by feelings of inferiority that he plotted against his rival at the Vienna court and may even have schemed to poison him.

Ono said McCartney was wrong to claim creative leadership of the Beatles. He seemed to think he had played a vital role by ringing around the other band members to make sure they turned up at the studio. 'John did not make the phone calls,' she said. 'He was not on that level as a leader - he was on the level of a spiritual leader. He was the visionary and that is why the Beatles happened. [Paul] is put in the position of being a Salieri to a Mozart.' "

Yoko was also quoted as saying, "Because John passed away, naturally people have this incredibly strong sentiment for him. Paul is encountering people not giving the same kind of compassion," she said. Ono's comments, in a BBC program, "Ballad of Yoko and John" to be broadcast on January 6, seemingly ends the brief truce with McCartney during the compilation of the Beatles anthology albums. Yoko also dismisses Paul's claim that he was the one who initiated John and Yoko's reconciliation in the mid-70's. Yoko: "I know we didn't come back because Paul said a few words. Let him say what he wants to say. I feel sad he needs to say it but if he wants to get credit for it, why not?"

For More Yoko News Go: Ono-Web

(Entered December 18,1997)

Winners of the first John Lennon Songwriting Contest have been announced on the jlsc.com website. On the site, you'll find a complete listing of the various musical fields, with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. winners in each category. You may also sign up to receive information about the 1998 contest on that site.

(Entered December 11, 1997)

EOnline has reported that Sean Lennon has signed a record contract with Grand Royal--the label founded by rap's Beastie Boys. It's hoped a debut album will be ready for next spring.

Sean, who has been gaining valuable musical experience working with mom, Yoko Ono on her album "Rising" and the subsequent club tour, as well as with Cibo Matto and other musicians, has been working on his own album for the past few months. Yoko was quoted in an interview as saying the album will be "just Sean Lennon," rather than IMA, which is the name that Sean has been using for his 3-piece band.

Sean also performed live at the Beastie Boys' 1996 Tibetan Freedom concert (again with Mom).

For more on this story and a recent photo of Sean, go to:
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,2220,00.html

(Entered December 11, 1997)

The Swedish news agency TT announced Tuesday (12/9/97) that a new edition of John Lennon's book from 1965,"A Spaniard in the Works," is being released, accompanied by an album featuring some rare Lennon tunes reportedly recorded a year before his death in 1980. The CD will feature songs such as "My Life," "Dear John," "Lord Take This Makeup Off Me" and "Make Love, Not War." Collectors of bootlegs already have these songs, but one must assume that these versions will be more technically clear. The project was given the go-ahead by Yoko, according to TT. http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/lmd1.htm

(Entered December 8, 1997)

In an interview with the BBC's "Breakfast with Frost" program, Paul McCartney said he wasn't sure if there was life after death, partly because he had received no message from John Lennon, who was murdered in New York on this date (December 8) in 1980. Paul was telling about his experiences talking to God during wife Linda's struggle with breast cancer. Paul: "It makes you talk to it, or God, a little more often. The idea that there is someone to hand it over, I think unless you're very religious you live your life not thinking there's anyone you can hand it to and I think, you know, that was quite a blessing for us to find." Asked if he believesin life after death, Paul said: "When we were kids we always used to say, 'Okay, whoever dies first get a message through'....Well then when John died I thought well maybe we'll get a message because I know he knew the deal. I haven't had a message from John." As for the age old question of who broke up the Beatles, Paul says not to blame John: "I think we'd come full circle. I think we all sort of knew it, having finished touring, having made a few records there wasn't really in our minds anywhere else to go."

(Entered December 4,1997)

Paul's new music video for the song "Beautiful Night" off the album "Flaming Pie" has been censored in England. British television viewers will not see the closing scenes of actress Emma Moore disrobing and swimming naked. Paul's spokesman says the original video will be available in countries where television censors are not as strict. "Beautiful Night" also features Ringo Starr.

(Entered November 23, 1997)

This was sent to us by an IK! reader which he picked up from http://www.oasisinet.com/news.htm

Daily Star Wrong Again

"The story about Julian Lennon collaborating with members of Oasis that appeared in the British tabloid the Daily Star earlier today is total garbage and is yet another tired and sick attempt by the tabloid media to associate Oasis with the Beatles. Please bear in mind that the Daily Star is a newspaper that has been forced to settle out of court with Oasis for printing fabricated nonsense in the past. Any newspaper, TV, and radio picking up the story is very lazy and shoddy journalism as it has not been checked at the source. Oasis, who are currently in Paris undertaking promotional activities, were bewildered to hear of the Daily Star's story. "

(IK Editor's Note: When a band reaches a certain notoriety, rumors just naturally spring up. Time to lighen up just a bit. Whether Julian records with Oasis or not does not change the rotation of the Earth. We'd rather he record with himself anyway. Or maybe with Yoko! Let's get a new rumor started!!)

(Entered November 22, 1997)

Robert Palmer passed away on Thursday, November 20, while awaiting a liver transplant. Mr. Palmer had written the liner notes for Yoko's ONOBOX, and Rykodisc had also used the notes to promote their latest Yoko releases. Yoko had helped the Palmers during their health crisis, setting them up with an apartment for post-operation recuperation. (Scroll down to See our other stories on this)

(Entered November 16,1997)

Paul will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show Monday, November 24, 1997. Paul will perform two songs from his "Flaming Pie" CD, talk about his huge classical hit, "Standing Stone" and reportedly will reveal a rarely-seen personal side. (That remains to be seen.)

(Entered November 16, 1997)

The following is from: http://classicrock.miningco.com/

Rocks news of the week : Oasis-Lennon Project

Oasis is reportedly in negotiations with John Lennon's son Julian about collaborating on a project that would include new songs plus a cover of an unamed Beatles classic. No word on whether George Harrison will be asked to contribute.....(Kidding, just kidding!)

Thanks to ONOWEB: http://www.cam.org/~rjoly/yoko/onoweb.html

(Entered November 12, 1997)

Sean Lennon is given a page on the Addicted to Noise website regarding his involvement with the Tibet concerts this past summer. Sean did not perform in this year's show, but was asked to host a corresponding radio show, which he said he jumped at the chance to do. Sean: "We've all heard of Ghandi, but most people don't practice nonviolence. I think that when a lot of people hear about Tibet, they really sympathize with the Tibetans because they realize that they have no weapons to defend themselves with. And they only have their prayers, basically, which is I think really beautiful." Read the whole story at Addicted to Noise There's also a photo of Sean on that page.

(Entered November 11, 1997)

Yoko has decided against taking action in the art destruction case (see below). A prosecutor in the case said, "She had no interest in prosecuting him and since she felt that way, we had no interest in taking the case any further." The criminal charges against Jake Platt,22, of Seattle were dismissed Monday (November 10) but he still might face civil action from the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati where the defacing of Yoko's paintings took place. Platt took a red marker and drew lines on five of Yoko's paintings, claiming he was responding to a statement Yoko made about people being allowed to touch artworks. An exhibition pamphlet suggested viewers add to her works. The museum said that applied to her sculptures, not her paintings.

(Entered November 5, 1997)

Jason Platt was charged with felony vandalism after drawing red lines across Yoko's black and white paintings at a Cincinnati musuem this past week. The paintings were valued at $100,000 and were sent back to New York for an evaluation of the damage. The defacer claimed he was following Yoko instructions when she had been quoted that "no one can tell you not to touch art." Of course, touching and destroying are two different things.

(Thanks to Ron Scarlett and Ono-Web)

(Entered November 5, 1997)

Bily Preston has begun serving a three-year jail term for bail violation. Santa Monica prosecutors say the 51-year-old musician violatedhis probation by testing positive for cocaine in March. In 1992, Preston was placed on five years' probation after pleading no contest to assault with a deadly weapon and cocaine possession. During his career, Preston has played organ on the Beatles' "Get Back" and wrote Joe Cocker's hit "You Are So Beautiful." He also had two hits himself in the 1970's with "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from Nothing." Preston lit up a George Harrison concert in Detroit in the early 70's with his organ playing, dancing and and singing.

(Entered November 3, 1997)

Billboard Bulletin reports that Rhino Home Video's "Paul McCartney: In The World Tonight" is due out this month. The video documents the making of Paul's latest album, "Flaming Pie." The release, due November 18 for a suggested $19.98, includes music videos, performance footage, and interviews with McCartney and his wife, Linda, as well as Ringo Starr, Steve Miller, George Martin, and others. The video is helmed by "Anthology" director Geoff Wonfor.

For More Go To:
http://www.billboard.com/daily/1031_01.html

(Entered November 1, 1997)

Yoko is one of the featured artists in Rolling Stone's 30th Anniversary issue. In an article title titled "Women of Rock," Yoko is given a featured status with a full page black and white photo of her wearing a kimono and shades. In an interview by Barbara O'Dair, Yoko talks about her place in the history of rock and names her idea of the perfect pop song ("All You Need Is Love"). Asked what her future projects are, Yoko said she has "a couple of interesting art shows coming up, and I'm thinking of making a record."

Yoko's "Plastic Ono Band" LP was listed in what Rolling Stone called "A selective discography" of Most Influential Recordings.

Yoko is also interviewed in the current issue of GOLDMINE.