AMERICAN MASTERS | LENNONYC | John and Yoko in Central Park | PBS

[james7167]

is that the twin towers bless in the short distance

[Soldierking117]

why cant paul or ringo live in nyc at least!

[crapple009]

@Soldierking117 To get to the other side?

[TheJ05e]

Pobre Yoko nada mas se queda viendo

[TheAutographs101]

F*CK MARK CHAPMAN !! ((*J*))

[270yis]

John always was quite fan-friendly.

[FunWithFlipCam]

The irony of this clip, showing him taking time to sign things for fans...when it was a 'fan' that shot him, is not lost on me.

[1After100]

No, she's taking the piss. You have to recognize it when you read it.

[FlybyNess]

sim...you must be 10....



[FlybyNess]

John was the beatles!!!!

[54snakeman]

"Over rated musicians." Your a fucking idiot. I worked with, and knew John back in the mid to late 70's. If you think these guys weren't the real deal, you're saddly mistaken. John was a friend with a lot of passion and compassion.

[SmileyGarrish]

@54snakeman They worship Cobain, Timberlake and Gaga....so expect some stupidity from them. Having been around a while myself I would note that Lennon's strength was gut wrenching truths in his lyrics; while not a virtuoso on guitar, his rhythms were tight and groovy - and it was a freaking Beat Band, don't forget - that hit the big time. Why people insult his memory is beyond me. Perhaps like his assassin they represent a primitive jealousy and materialistic worldview, that just doesn't get it?

[reldditmot]

I always found Lennon, and the other members of The Beatles, to be full of their own importance, and criminally overrated as musicians..

[hubbaman9885]

@reldditmot What do you mean? overrated as musicians? At least they actually wrote most of there own stuff. Unlike todays so-called musicians that have a bad habit of sampling other peoples stuff, if anyone was overrated, it was Kurt Cobain, the one-hit-wonderer, which he more or less was, then kills himself. Some musician, throws his talent away with a gun yet glorified by many, what a joke.

[hubbaman9885]

@reldditmot Don't forget to say hi to the toesies on your way out, The Adventure of the toesies! You will be added to their story.

[reldditmot]

@hubbaman9885 The Beatles weren't all that, their reputation shadows their limited musical ability and creativity, just because you choose to ignore the facts, doesn't change the facts, just my opinion. Tell your pathetic toesie story to someone who gives a fuck!

[crapple009]

@reldditmot Thanks for your opinion. Now what is your opinion on Colgate toothpaste?

[reldditmot]

@crapple009 If something is worthy of credit, then I say so, and Colgate toothpaste is worthy of some credit, it does exactly what it says on the tube!!

[crapple009]

@reldditmot Yeah, I definitely prefer Colgate to Crest and the others. Which type do you prefer- the original or the gel?

[reldditmot]

@crapple009 I'm not impressed by the gel :D

[crapple009]

@crapple009 I prefer the original, too. Do you like Slim Jims? I jones for those things all the time.

[notthebachelor]

@reldditmot And your account has been removed because of copyright infringements. Way to go there!

[notthebachelor]

@reldditmot Well, that's your opinion and you're certainly entitled to it. I never saw The Beatles as being full of their own importance. They had moments of being big-headed like anyone can be, but for the most part they were just four guys in a dance-hall band trying to make it. And as for being "criminally overrated as musicians.." I think you need to look elsewhere for that. They played their own instruments, wrote & sang the songs. They didn't need a reality TV show to be discovered.

[JerichoDitch2]

@notthebachelor agree... if anything the Beatles were unaware of the immense impact they were making on music and culture at the time... Paul and George were both very UNDER rated as musicians.. Their stature as composers has only grown as time has proven how rare their talent was... in the 40 years since their breakup, no one has superceded them as the gold standard in terms of popularity, impact and recording talent.

[slmacph]

If I were there at the time, I would've acted all giddy and thrilled to meet Yoko, and beg for her autograph. Then I might say to John, "Uh, you must be MR. Ono." Then if he corrected me and said "I'm John Lennon," I would reply "Are you related to the Lennon sisters?". :-)

[shelbysale]

is that the WTC on the background ?

[ramon19141]

Hell, I would have been so excited, I would have gotton Yoko's autograph too!

[ThisVideoGetsMeMoist]

The guy in the glasses looks like Peter Sellers.

[terrywest111]

The lady in this video is soooooooooo lucky... just to have crossed paths with this man must've been a true blessing!

[dkelly26666]

@terrywest111 And sad, too. This was just a very short time before his death. Who knew? She must have really cried after that.

[ConorCoughlanMusic]

So sad. Lennon was the most down to earth celebrity there was.

[charlie1eye]

its shocking to think he thought he was unknown enough to get around safely, was he realy so unaware of who he was?? sadly that is probably the reason why things ended in such a tragic way, he was as famous as Elvis yet he had no protection!!

[trueblue374]

That is not John Lennon speaking.....there are other videos on youtube identical to this one with John Lennon speaking and he sounds totally different from the voice thst is on this video

[lalalives]

@trueblue374

That is John Lennon speaking. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[trueblue374]

@lalalives that isn`t John Lennon speaking I have seen this in full elsewhere on youtube and I`ve also seen this on television the voice is different in this video it is not John Lennon speaking.....check for yourself watch this documentry else where on youtube and you will hear John Lennon speaking and then ome back to this video and compare the voice.....it isn`t Lennon speaking in this video

[lalalives]

@trueblue374

Ok, fine. I will check tonight on my LennonNYC dvd and report back to you.

[trueblue374]

@lalalives type in the youtube search box John Lennon interview at the circus......compare the voice in that interview to the one on this video and you will hear the difference

[SenorZorrozzz]

He should have stayed a lovable mop top.

[lalalives]

@SenorZorrozzz

Really? And do you dress. act, look the exact way you did when you were 23 or 24 when you are 40 years old? What an odd statement and so out of touch with reality.

I'm glad he stayed JOHN LENNON.

[crapple009]

@lalalives I pretty much do (fashion-wise, that is)- great classic taste never goes out of style.

[bermudaguy1]

Let me finish by saying, he must've been in the store ( with others ) for about 10 minutes, looking at swatches and styles, asking me questions, generally chatting, like you do. I never said "Hey it's John Lennon"!! I wanted to, but it was almost a surreal experience. then I had to measure him, waist/chest/thigh/ leg length....I was professional ( I am British...not English..hehehe) but I was so nervous. He was just really nice and ordinary. I couldn't believe how everyone else missed him.

[lalalives]

@bermudaguy1

Did he look the same as he does in pictures?

[bermudaguy1]

@lalalives That was the surprising thing....most people in the store didn't recognize him (and they were English), but he looked exactly the same to me! I could tell he liked being noticed, but wasn't obvious about it. He was just....there....smiling and chatting....very pleasant and ordinary, if you know what I mean. How many people walk around with "Hippy" style glasses and a pony tail under their hat?

[lalalives]

@bermudaguy1

Ugh, that is so awesome. I want to ask you a million questions because your so forthcoming, but I don't like bugging. THANK YOU for sharing this. To have met John Lennon is an incredible thing that I never experienced. But every encounter shows how down-to-earth, normal, and un-arrogant he was.

[bermudaguy1]

@lalalives thats cool. My 30 minutes of meeting John probably has less than a million questions in it. Did You read the part where I mentioned the "mind game" album cover?

[bermudaguy1]

@lalalives While I was measuring him for his 3 pc suit, he asked if I could make sure there was extra fabric on the legs so that if he wanted to wear it with boots, it could be let down to accommodate.

Usually it took 6 to 8 weeks to get a suit made....we got this one back in 3 weeks!!

[lalalives]

@bermudaguy1 Aw, such a fantastic experience. And you got closer to him than most any other people who may have had a casual encounter. It's very endearing that he was so normal. In fact, most encounters I read say he was just a very normal, funny, easy-going person. He gets a bad rep from people and it isn't right.

[SenorZorrozzz]

@bermudaguy1 The four loveable lads from Liverpool, the boys, the fab four etc.... no Yoko, just yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crapple009]

@bermudaguy1 Meeting Paul McCartney by chance on Oct. 3, 2003 crossing a busy Oxford Street, London on his way to his nearby Soho Square offices (getting two handshakes during the 20 sec. or so one-to-one- by- chance encounter) reminds me of your Lennon encounter experience- definitely surreal with practically no-one noticing. It is refreshing to share this with somebody else in the same "club". Cheers to you!

[bermudaguy1]

@crapple009 Cool!!

[crapple009]

@bermudaguy1 Exactly- it couldn't have happened to a better fan. It was as time stood still when I spotted him across the street waiting at the cross-walk to cross. He was in a crowd of people appeared oblivious to who was in their presence. All I had to do was wait where I had stopped (in disbelief) until his eyes caught mine and I said "Mr McCartney? " and sure enough he walked up to me, gave me his time of day and all I could do was to thank him for all the happiness he had given me.

[crapple009]

@bermudaguy1 He seemed to have been pleased when he unexpectedly heard that and said "Well, thank you" or something to that effect (I was kind of in a slight trance-like state due to the surrealness of it all) and we shook hands. I then wished him and his family (this was when he and ex-wife Heather were expecting) all the best and once again got another handshake before he continued his way down Oxford Street. As I watched him disappear into the crowds of passers-by, basically unnoticed.

[webstercat]

The best thing would have been to give him a thumbs up and keep walking.

[beatles141]

what would you talk about? his songs? how many times has he heard the same questions?. Must have been boring for him.

[ElHombreConDosOjos]

Without Yoko by his side, Yukio Mishima would've been sad & lonely.

[NoDestinyLive4Now]

Autographs are a strange thing. I'd rather have a talk with the guy than him sign his name and that's it. Autographs mean nothing unless your talking about money. A conversation is priceless.

[Burco1]

where would this spot be in the park?

[donna1175]

@Burco1

Their in front of a statue called "The Falconer". You can see the mound to that statue @:36 seconds. The statue at that time was temporary removed , I think because of vandalisim. @:05 seconds is the Daniel Webster statue which is in the background but touching the traffic light in this video & Yokos shoulder. They are walking toward the Dakota & are steps away from where the entrance to the future Imagine mosaic would be.

[Burco1]

@donna1175 Thank you! I just can't get over what a great clip this is. Where is that woman today??

[romans52345]

That chick is pretty Hot, i'm suprised Lennon didn't Hit on her...

[Floridaboy7777]

@romans52345 Sure the chick is hot, but John Lennon has had much, much better.

[romans52345]

@Floridaboy7777 Much Better Like who?? Yoko and May Pang?? the Hottest piece of Ass John Lennon ever had was his first wife Cynthia and she was only Avarage, John Got Lots of Tail yes but that does not mean they were Smokin Hot, Paul and George were the ones who pulled all the Hot Chicks...

[Floridaboy7777]

@romans52345 Agreed that Cynthia was incredibly good looking. But hey man, even if 1 out of every 100 outrageously hot girls that got with Paul and/or George wanted to get with john too, he still would have gotten some good stuff :)

[romans52345]

@Floridaboy7777 Who do you think was hotter? Yoko or Cyn?? and for all Lennon's flaws, he seems like he was an approachable celebrity..

[Floridaboy7777]

@romans52345 I dont find Yoko attractive at all, so definitely Cynthia. That being said, Being with a woman like Yoko must mean that he wasn't the least bit shallow as an individual.

[xtremerockomaniac]

John Lennon was that type of guy that passed from status of celebrity to a person that everyone respected

[beatlejim64]

One of THE most important men in the history of rock'n'roll and the culture of the 20th century...

[marc5933]

i fuckin love that man

[DaveGilmourIsGod]

John Lennon. A thing of beauty, is a joy forever. Thank you PBS. Beautiful.

[MrMegadeth12345]

I would chop my balls off just to meet JOHN LENNON

[MrHoward727]

"im just known enough to keep my ego afloat..but unknown enough to get around"..he actually didnt know how popular and loved he was..he was something...

[Mrkharouf]

He really has the look, and the walk of a super star!!

[6021diesel]

Everytime I see this, it makes me think of December 8th 1980 and kind of like watching this and Chapman is doing the same thing as this woman and Paul Goresh is taking that last picture of Lennon, except this is during the day and that was at night. Very eerie.

[BellaCeLeNdAnO]

damn my stupid young age why couldnt i have been born earlier why?! UGH stupid me lol i would have BAWLED my eyes out if i met john

[MacWillyFortunes]

@BellaCeLeNdAnO Nobody cares about how old you are. Why do people think the combination of their age and their appreciation for one of the most famous/popular musicians in history makes them unique? It doesn't.

[MacWillyFortunes]

@BellaCeLeNdAnO Hooray for not understanding satire!

And don't pretend you didn't write that hoping some 80 year old would say, "OH DONT WORRY LOL UR ONE OF THE GOOD ONES IN UR GENERATION THEY ALL LISTEN TO LADY GAGA AND JUSTIN BIEBER" Nobody cares about you or your interests because you're uninteresting.

[MacWillyFortunes]

@BellaCeLeNdAnO I don't think you're a troll. I think you're an idiot.

[MacWillyFortunes]

@BellaCeLeNdAnO I'm 18. I don't know how old you are, but if you're significantly younger than me, then you shouldn't be allowed on the internet. As for my reason for calling you an idiot, please do refer to your previous posts and tell me how you're NOT instead.

[bermudaguy1]

@BellaCeLeNdAnO I was about 13 or so when the Beatles started making it big. About 6 months before John died, he was in Bermuda and I met him. I was working in a suit department of a mens store and he wanted to be measured for a suit. I totally respected his apparent desire to be anonimous and asked him his name (to have put inside the jacket) and he said "Jack Smith"!! So, I said "oh, I could have sworn you were John Lennon" to which he responded "I've been sussed"! He even signed my old album

[BellaCeLeNdAnO]

@bermudaguy1 i don't like you very much right now =D lol you are SO lucky!!! You have no idea how much i envy you!

[bermudaguy1]

@BellaCeLeNdAnO I can tell you some more!! Obviously, I didn't have the album cover with me ( Mind Games) that John Lennon signed, but he explained the 'cover'...same image on both sides, but one side is slightly smaller than the other. I never had thought about it, but he said that when they were selling it in record stores, they placed it on a spindle or something to spin it continuously, giving a 'mind game' effect. It was the most fun day in my life...oh and my childs birth. Hahaha!

[BellaCeLeNdAnO]

@bermudaguy1 i didn't even know that! did u get a hig from him?! and I assure you your childs birth was not fun for your wife hahaha

[PriceyFilms2504]

That's great footage am a Liverpool taxi driver sitting in my taxi outside Mendips on menlove avenue johns childhood home in Liverpool on my iPhone waiting for a customer to come out of a nearby house while writing this comment it's surreal he walked these streets as a child to his 20s

[ThisVideoGetsMeMoist]

@PriceyFilms2504 COuld you pick me up, I'm outside TJ HUghes.

[TheOneartist]

Geeze, just walking past you in the park and you see John Lennon. And the only reason he had a camera was because it was being shot for a documentary. Otherwise, he's just strolling freely.

[Huxkysh]

I would give my life to hug him

[bladesofglory12]

He was so down to earth.

[ahbowie]

I would love to see the entire broadcast of this. On one hand, fantastic, almost HD quality footage. On the other, well, it just makes you sad to know what's coming...

[JFGCF513]

it was with this similar action that he was shot on the dakota building

[kmalobe1]

I'D dieeeeeeeeeeeee

[meanmachine210]

if i met john i would scream like a girls at a jonas brothers concert and im a guy

[Anakin53Padme]

@meanmachine210 who are the jonas brothers?

[meanmachine210]

@Anakin53Padme some crappy boy band

[xtremerockomaniac]

I swear if i would had the chance to meet John Lennon or any other Beatle it would be a blast...i would probably go nuts like an hysterical girl and hug me and ask him for an autograph and probably would sung a beatle song x'DDD

[emirenfield]

never seen this little snippet either. only him signing the guys autograph in the basketball court. i wonder if anyone thought 'why didnt i get yoko's autograph too?' cause to have something by the both of them would be amazing.

[SethDaActor]

@emirenfield yeah even though the majority of the population dislikes her, it still would be cool to get hers.

[marycockburn1]

totaly agree mate i had some hatred for yoko but ye know now i think well she just did what she thought was best and she was part of johns life for so many years you just cant keep on feeling so bitter towards her life goes on so what ever yes id love to have yokos autograph

to be honest id love to tell her how much of a fan of johns i am but i know id get all emotional inside and probs cry does that sound silly?

[SethDaActor]

@marycockburn1 noo not at all man. It would be surreal standing or even talking to someone who john lennon loved so much. it would be surreal. i wouldnt blame you if you got emotional. i probably would also haha

[marycockburn1]

@SethDaActor nice one  mate are you a beatles fan ?

[SethDaActor]

@marycockburn1 of course man haha

[Burco1]

I hope there is more footage like this out there of John walking around the city!

[Beatlesgirl1000]

Is it me or John's accent changed over the years. John's behavior changed over the years too. No drugs, no drinking, that's a good thing.

[MacIain82]

This is a brilliant wee clip. Never seen it before. John's narration was new to me too.

[78Snipsey]

Never saw this before I just wish I had his signature on something. What great footage as proff.

[Gour80]

Where did this footage came from ? Terrific stuff...

[twinoak170]

Just imagine, John thought we all forgot about him.

[ostirnim]

This was shot on 26th November 1980, just some meters away from the Strawberry Fields Circle (eastbound). You can spot the place, look at the monument in the background (0:19). Everything remains almost exactly the same as at that time.

[Toodlem]

The best part is Yoko's expression through it all. It couldn't have been easy for a woman who has always longed for fame and recognition to sit on the sidelines while people always wanted John.

[oo1ooo1oo]

Dig the old lady hovering in the background—she aint got a clue!

Terrific footage though.

Poor old John. Another victim of somebody else's stupidity and selfishness. What a world.

[micknrog79]

What is this footage called? Where can I watch it all?

[donna1175]

@micknrog79

Its from a new documentary on John called LennonNYC, it aired I think in early December on PBS. Maybe PBS will re-air it again, you can check the website.

[radekbayek]

He was such a beautiful person.

[rggast]

That lucky girl!! I would have peed my pants!!

[llpowers]

@rggast what makes you think she didnt pee hers?? ;D

[dnnylee]

Always remembered