by Madeline Bocaro
This is not just a concert film. It’s a virtual visitation from John and Yoko! Through the magic of impeccable digital visual and sound restoration by Sean Ono Lennon and his team, we were sent back in time, and time stood still.
You can catch it over the next few days in its very limited theatrical run of only a few days.
Check listings at powertothepeoplefilm.com
Some clips from these concerts were shown in the One to One documentary in 2004 (about the lives of John and Yoko during their turbulent years of 1971 / 1972 in New York City). It is was fantastic to see this compilation (the best of the two shows on August 30,1972 at Madison Square Garden) coming to life. The Lennons’ benefit gig raised 11 million dollars for the children of Willobrook institution.
Having attended the afternoon concert when I was fourteen, this was extra special. The restored sound was the crowning glory. It was just like being there again. The many split-screen views gave us surround-sight!
See my review of the 1972 concert:
https://madelinex.com/2017/08/30/john-yoko-live/
When John was taken from us in 1980, we might have been less traumatized had we known that he would never really leave us. Over fifty years later, we still hear him everywhere, but to actually see him again in extreme (emphasis on EXTREME) close-up, and so intimately in this restored film was like a warm embrace. We see the scar on his chin, a drop of sweat dripping down his nose during ‘Imagine,’ his beautiful eyes through blue lenses. He is nervous, yet in total control. His seriousness is not far from a sudden smile, self-mockery or a goofy dance. When John steals kisses with Yoko between songs, their sincerity and love shines through.
John is different things to all of us. A Beatle, an idol, a hero, a myth, a rebel, a genius, a clown – but most of all he is our friend. Audible laughs and gasps from the movie audience indicated our connection to John, and the once reluctant acceptance of his chosen partner after many difficult years. John was 31 years old during his final full-length post-Beatles concert performance. Yoko was 39.
The Elephant’s Memory band (adding the great Jim Keltner along with Rick Frank for a really heavy bottom) are a perfect fit. John’s solo work is stunning and intense live – especially ‘Imagine’ and the raw and riveting ‘Mother’ and ‘Cold Turkey,’ on which he is visibly trembling and jerking – living out the pain. John only included one Beatles song, ‘Come Together,’ humorously flubbing the lyrics.
As they alternate songs, Yoko takes us off the rails, elevating the proceedings to avant-garde freakouts. The band members relish this with gusto – especially the great Stan Bronstein whose sax perfectly synthesizes with Yoko’s vocals. She and John harmonize on her song ‘Born in a Prison.’ The formidable ‘Don’t Worry Kyoko’ shows utmost sincerity in Yoko’s astounding performance. She takes no bows, nor warrants any ‘Thank You’). After each of her four solo outings, she instantly shakes off the passion and intensity, scurrying over to the piano bench in readiness for the next song. (It’s a comfort knowing that she has since been reunited with her missing daughter Kyoko).
The effects of seeing this film can only be described in these Japanese words:
Natsukashii – a nostalgic warmth that aches in your heart. Not sad, not happy – just beautiful.
Yugen – a deep grace that cannot be spoken, only felt.
Ichigo ichie – One meeting, one chance. This moment with this person will never happen again.
After Yoko reads a speech by Adolph Hitler in 1932 that could have been written today, a cast of celebrities swarm the stage for a long reggae version of ‘Give Peace a Chance.’ We see Stevie Wonder, Melanie, Phil Spector, Allen Ginsberg and the event’s organizer Geraldo Rivera. (Stevie performed ‘Superstition’ live as one of the opening acts at these shows, before the single was released. Five months later in January 1973, it hit No. 1).
Watch Imagine:
Also see my review of the One to One documentary 2025
https://madelinex.com/2025/03/12/one-to-one/
AND
One to One – The IMAX Premiere in NYC!
https://madelinex.com/2025/04/11/one-to-one-imax-premiere-nyc/
Check out my Yoko Ono biography:
In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono
The true story of the woman John Lennon loved.
BookBaby Bookshop
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/in-your-mind-the-infinite-universe-of-yoko-ono1?format=ebook
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Mind-Infinite-Universe-Yoko-ebook/dp/B0FX5K2N99
Expanded Signed Hard Cover edition exclusively at:
https://conceptual-books.myshopify.com/collections/all
Social Media:
https://linktr.ee/conceptualbooks
© Madeline Bocaro 2026. No part of this text may be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or re-blogged in whole or in part. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. All text written by Madeline Bocaro is protected by United States copyright law and may not be copied, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without prior written permission.
madelinex.com is a non-profit blog created for educational and research purposes.
Any content that may violate copyright or free usage laws will be removed upon request.