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Artistically
misunderstood, derisively known as the most famous widow in
the world and vilified as the catalyst for the breakup of
the most famous music group of all time, Yoko Ono in actuality
is an uncompromising artistic visionary who was already an
avant-garde superstar before she met John
Lennon. Today, Yoko is finally recognized as an influential
artist who pushes the boundaries of the art, film, music and
theatre media. The present time marks a renewed resurgence
of interest and celebration of her work. She has recently
received high media profile due to the simultaneous reissue
of her music catalog (including a boxed set) on the Rykodisc
specialty label as well as for the premiere of her off-Broadway
theatre piece Hiroshima. However these achievements obscure
her body of 16 films made between 1964 and 1972, some in collaborative
effort with her late husband.
Yoko
Ono (whose first name translates to "ocean child")
was born on February 18, 1933 in Tokyo, the eldest of three
children born to Eisuke and Isoko, a wealthy aristocratic
family. Her father was a frustrated pianist who held degrees
from Tokyo universities in mathematics and economics. In 1935
he became head of a Japanese bank in San Francisco, as a result
he did not meet Yoko until she was two years old, since she
stayed behind in Tokyo with her mother.
When
Yoko was 18, her father was appointed president of a bank
in New York as the family settled in the affluent suburb of
Scarsdale, N.Y. Attending the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College
in New York, Yoko dropped out to elope with her first husband,
Toshi Ichiyanagi. It was while living in New York's artsy
Greenwich Village that Yoko discovered the world of avant-garde
artists. Once absorbed in the scene,she began her life long
association with art beginning with informal events then segueing
into poetry while developing her fascination for conceptual
pieces. Alienated as an "artistic radical" for years
her work was ridiculed or ignored. That began to change once
she began her working relationship with American jazz musician/film
producer Anthony Cox, the man who would eventually become
her second husband.
Full
Biography and Discography
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Just
Imagine
In the 60s, Yoko Ono married John Lennon
and campaigned for peace
in Vietnam. More than 30 years on, she's still irrevocably linked
to her dead husband and America is once again at war. Here, she
talks to Andrew Smith about marriage, art and inner peace
Chief Curator, Jim Henke, of the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
gives Yoko Ono a personal tour of the John Lennon exhibit
Imagine
John Lennon Day
An International Holiday
Celebrating Peace And Love
The heartbeat of humanity is music. Let us honor our greatest singer-songwriter and the most influential political artist of the 20th century with an International holiday celebrating his message for us of peace and love on Earth. I agree that there should be an international holiday every October 9th to celebrate the life's message of John Lennon, to be known as the John Lennon Day. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.
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