John Lennon performs Imagine 'live' (18.04.75)

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John Lennon & BOMF: An overlooked, but brilliant, final performance from John Lennon and his band BOMF (Brothers of Mother F......!) who are backed in this 'live' version of 'Imagine' by the Val Parnell Orchestra as a part of this TV spectacular, which was made especially for 'Sir Lew Grade's 70th Birthday Celebrations' at the Hilton Hotel in New York (18.04.75).

Lennon had BOMF wear 'two faced' rubber masks. The masks were made especially for the event by the sculptor Ruby Jackson. Lennon's veiled jibe at Grade (later known as 'Lord Greed' in Eric Idle's/Neil Innes'/Lorne Michael's 1976 'Beatles' spoof 'The Rutles') was undertaken as a direct result of Grade's broken promise to sell the Beatles catalogue back to the Beatles. ATV Music included Nothern Songs (mainly comprising of the Beatles catalogue). Lew Grade had sold the catalogue on elsewhere.

Lennon subtly and brilliantly altered a line in this performance of Imagine to 'Imagine no immigration' as a direct response to the US Immigration Department who were denying him a 'Green Card Visa''.
(Lennon later got his Green Card.)

Rumour has it that John was being stalked by one Mark Chapman. A long haired Chapman look-a-like does appear to screen left, seated near to the front of the stage. Was Chapman really stalking Lennon as early as 1975? This rumour/allegation has never been proven. Judge for yourselves.

See 'Slipping And Sliding' also on YOU TUBE

• Category

  Music

[kingbongmaster420]

Watch the guy on the left side of the screen at 1:19 after Lennon  says imagine no immigration.

[henrysgigs1]

I have kept this on file since 1975.

Please rate this 'FAIR USE' of an unseen clip, now in the public domain for the first time (without any financial gain to anyone) with factually accurate liner notes that aim to 'educate, and inform'. This event was of huge historical significance!

Lennon's performance is second to none. This performance shows

just how great a performer he really was! See the other clip from the same show! Feel free to comment and rate both! Thanks Henrygigs1

[Jake McCluskey]

Surely one of mankinds greatest human beings?

[MrSnappy67]

Huh?? I put a Like on it, and I'm religious.....

[MrSnappy67]

Used to have this on a bootleg many years ago, wonderful to see it.

[henrysgigs1]

Lew Grade 1st sold ATV Music and Northern Songs.  Grade had promised if he ever sold his TV/Film/Music empire he would let the Beatles have their songs back at a reasonable price. SBK acquired Northern songs. Later The Bell group of companies run by Robert Holmes A Court acquired ITC then sold it to Alan Bond who called it Film Bond at this juncture. Polygram bought ITC. . Jackson bought the catalogue to get the Beatles songs. Sony later acquired SBK from Jackson. Universal acquired Polygram.

[Federico Sosa]

I suppose those 3 people who put negative are religious

[Tom Dylan]

Wow! Look at the forehead, any wonder he was incredibly intelligent.

[b Vincent]

Alan Bond never fitted into the scheme of things when it came to Beatles songs..he never at any staged owned them...etc

and i dont think holmes a'court was ever involve with Bell ?

[Phil Moore]

John Lennon invented the Thriller outfit.

[henrysgigs1]

Holmes A Court ran the Bell Group of companies, then sold ITC to fellow Australian Alan Bond ..or it was the other way round.. one of them sold The Beatles tunes to Whacko Jacko who then sold then to SBK/Sony

[ivansssify]

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