Lennon's Last Weekend Podcast By Initial Content - (Brian Grant & Scott Millaney) cover art

Lennon's Last Weekend

Lennon's Last Weekend

By: Initial Content - (Brian Grant & Scott Millaney)
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About this listen

 "Lennon's Last Weekend" explores the final days of John Lennon’s life, delving into the intimate moments, personal struggles, and creative tensions that shaped the legendary musician’s last weekend before his tragic assassination, offering anunprecedented glimpse into the man behind the icon. In December 1980, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were living in New York’s iconic Dakota building. After five years of media silence, the couple had just completed their latest album, Double Fantasy—a project that would become Lennon’s final work. In a rare moment of openness, Lennon agreed to a landmark interview with BBC Radio 1’s Andy Peebles. 5 x 25 minute shows , with many contributors. This Podcast is also the last interview given by Andy Peebles , just before his own death in March 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Copyright - Initial Content (Brian Grant & Scott Millaney) Art Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 5

    Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 5
    Jun 30 2025
    "Lennon's Last Weekend" explores the final days of John Lennon’s life, delving into the intimate moments, personal struggles, and creative tensions that shaped the legendary musician’s last weekend before his tragic assassination, offering anunprecedented glimpse into the man behind the icon.

    EP 5 DESCRIPTION: In this fifth and final episode, Andy Peebles revisits the closing moments of his unforgettable interview with John Lennon. He reflects on Lennon’s temporary separation from Yoko Ono, his own evolving relationship with her, and the creative process behind the deeply personal album Double Fantasy. Peebles also reveals Lennon’s surprising, long-held wish to be a comedian, and offers insight into the former Beatle’s thoughts on personal safety while living in the heart of New York City. Other contributors include, graphic designer Klaus Vormann, DJ Bob Harris, producer and broadcaster Malcolm Gary, guitarist Earl Slick, record producer Jack Douglas, DJ Paul Gambacini, record producer Sir George Martin and Beatles biographer Hunter Davies.

    SERIES DESCRIPTION: In December 1980, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were living in New York’s iconic Dakota building. After five years of media silence, the couple had just completed their latest album, Double Fantasy—a project that would become Lennon’s final work. In a rare moment of openness, Lennon agreed to a landmark interview with BBC Radio 1’s Andy Peebles. This five-part documentary, narrated by Peebles himself, revisits that extraordinary encounter. With deep personal reflection, he sets the interview in historical context, describing not just a pivotal moment in his own career, but one of profound cultural significance—an intimate conversation with the man whose music touched millions and whose sudden death would soon shake the world. Over the course of more than three hours, Lennon spoke with remarkable candour, addressing subjects he had long avoided: the painful breakup of The Beatles, his complicated friendship with Paul McCartney, his battles with alcohol and drug addiction, politics on both sides of the Atlantic, his family, and his deep-rooted homesickness for Liverpool. The result is a compelling and emotional portrait—one that strips away the myth to reveal the man beneath. A proudly working-class Liverpudlian, Lennon reminisced with misty eyes about Saturday morning matinees, spoke of his love for Fawlty Towers and The Goon Show, and passionately defended the BBC in a rant that now feels eerily prescient in the face of Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government. At the time, no one could have known that this would be John Lennon’s final in-depth interview—his last chance to speak so freely and vulnerably to the world. Few cultural figures have captured the public imagination in their final moments as powerfully as Lennon. This documentary stands as both a historical document and a heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential artists of all time—a reminder of the restless spirit, the wry humour, and the enduring humanity behind the legend.
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    25 mins
  • Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 4

    Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 4
    Jun 30 2025
    "Lennon's Last Weekend" explores the final days of John Lennon’s life, delving into the intimate moments, personal struggles, and creative tensions that shaped the legendary musician’s last weekend before his tragic assassination, offering anunprecedented glimpse into the man behind the icon.

    EP 4 DESCRIPTION: In this fourth episode, Andy Peebles continues his in-depth reflection on his final interview with John Lennon. He discusses the enduring impact of Lennon’s seminal album Imagine, the deeply personal rift with Paul McCartney, and Lennon’s long, frustrating battle to secure a U.S. green card to live and work in America. The episode also touches on Lennon’s admiration for the BBC World Service, highlighting his global outlook and continued connection to his British roots.

    Other contributors include graphic designer, Klaus Voorman. producer and broadcaster Malcolm Gerrie, session musician Alan White, DJ Paul Gambaccini and guitarist Earl Slick.

    SERIES DESCRIPTION: In December 1980, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were living in New York’s iconic Dakota building. After five years of media silence, the couple had just completed their latest album, Double Fantasy—a project that would become Lennon’s final work. In a rare moment of openness, Lennon agreed to a landmark interview with BBC Radio 1’s Andy Peebles. This five-part documentary, narrated by Peebles himself, revisits that extraordinary encounter. With deep personal reflection, he sets the interview in historical context, describing not just a pivotal moment in his own career, but one of profound cultural significance—an intimate conversation with the man whose music touched millions and whose sudden death would soon shake the world. Over the course of more than three hours, Lennon spoke with remarkable candour, addressing subjects he had long avoided: the painful breakup of The Beatles, his complicated friendship with Paul McCartney, his battles with alcohol and drug addiction, politics on both sides of the Atlantic, his family, and his deep-rooted homesickness for Liverpool. The result is a compelling and emotional portrait—one that strips away the myth to reveal the man beneath. A proudly working-class Liverpudlian, Lennon reminisced with misty eyes about Saturday morning matinees, spoke of his love for Fawlty Towers and The Goon Show, and passionately defended the BBC in a rant that now feels eerily prescient in the face of Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government. At the time, no one could have known that this would be John Lennon’s final in-depth interview—his last chance to speak so freely and vulnerably to the world. Few cultural figures have captured the public imagination in their final moments as powerfully as Lennon. This documentary stands as both a historical document and a heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential artists of all time—a reminder of the restless spirit, the wry humour, and the enduring humanity behind the legend.
    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 3

    Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 3
    Jun 30 2025
    "Lennon's Last Weekend" explores the final days of John Lennon’s life, delving into the intimate moments, personal struggles, and creative tensions that shaped the legendary musician’s last weekend before his tragic assassination, offering anunprecedented glimpse into the man behind the icon.

    EP 3 DESCRIPTION: In this third episode, Andy Peebles delves deeper into his final interview with John Lennon, sharing more intimate moments and reflections. He explores Yoko Ono’s powerful influence on Lennon, the musician’s lingering homesickness for England, and candid memories of their wedding day in Gibraltar. Peebles also revisits Lennon and Yoko’s iconic “Bed-Ins for Peace,” staged as bold protests against the Vietnam War — moments that captured the couple’s enduring commitment to activism and love. Other contributors include. Producer and broadcaster Malcolm Gerrie, broadcaster and journalist Paul Gambaccini, guitarist Earl Slick, Beatles biographer Hunter Davies and graphic designer Klaus Vormann.

    SERIES DESCRIPTION: In December 1980, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were living in New York’s iconic Dakota building. After five years of media silence, the couple had just completed their latest album, Double Fantasy—a project that would become Lennon’s final work. In a rare moment of openness, Lennon agreed to a landmark interview with BBC Radio 1’s Andy Peebles. This five-part documentary, narrated by Peebles himself, revisits that extraordinary encounter. With deep personal reflection, he sets the interview in historical context, describing not just a pivotal moment in his own career, but one of profound cultural significance—an intimate conversation with the man whose music touched millions and whose sudden death would soon shake the world. Over the course of more than three hours, Lennon spoke with remarkable candour, addressing subjects he had long avoided: the painful breakup of The Beatles, his complicated friendship with Paul McCartney, his battles with alcohol and drug addiction, politics on both sides of the Atlantic, his family, and his deep-rooted homesickness for Liverpool. The result is a compelling and emotional portrait—one that strips away the myth to reveal the man beneath. A proudly working-class Liverpudlian, Lennon reminisced with misty eyes about Saturday morning matinees, spoke of his love for Fawlty Towers and The Goon Show, and passionately defended the BBC in a rant that now feels eerily prescient in the face of Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government. At the time, no one could have known that this would be John Lennon’s final in-depth interview—his last chance to speak so freely and vulnerably to the world. Few cultural figures have captured the public imagination in their final moments as powerfully as Lennon. This documentary stands as both a historical document and a heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential artists of all time—a reminder of the restless spirit, the wry humour, and the enduring humanity behind the legend. EP 1 DESCRIPTION In this premiere episode, DJ Andy Peebles begins his powerful recollection of a career-defining moment — his legendary interview with John Lennon, conducted just 48 hours before Lennon’s tragic murder in New York on December 8, 1980. Peebles reflects on his first encounter with Yoko Ono the day prior, the nervous anticipation leading up to the interview, and the profound experience of sitting down with his favourite Beatle for what would become their final conversation. Other contributors include producer and broadcaster Malcolm Gerrie, broadcaster and DJ Paul Gambaccini, author Hunter Davies and guitarist Earl Slick. Presented by Neil McCormick, Produced by Scott Millaney, Written, Directed & Edited by Brian Grant. An Initial Content Production Copyright 2025 See more in formation here: www.initialcontent.co.uk
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    24 mins
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