“All we are saying, is give peace a chance.”

In celebration of Lennon, and because we need their message today more than ever, here is this work, appropriated from my husband’s sepia-toned poster that said “double fantasy” in the middle, given to him by his best friend Alicia, now sadly passed from AIDS-related causes many moons ago …

This is one of the best performances/art happenings ever by two of the greatest twentieth-century artists. It is wonderful that it is also one of the best known still after decades, and the result of which in part is the song “Give Peace a Chance,” still chanted at progressive rallies and marches the world over. This was the inception of the original recording, on May 26, 1969, led by Yoko and John, with accompaniment of hip comedian and variety show host Tommy Smothers, and sung along by a bedroom full of reporters, supporters, and activists such as psychedelic pioneers and rebels Rosemary and Timothy Leary (in front), Allen Ginsberg and more … They were on the second leg of the performance, which began in Amsterdam and continued here in a hotel room in Montreal.

To celebrate their wedding and their relationship, they invited journalists and guests, not to watch their lovemaking as many expected, but to come and talk about peace and politics, making “controversial” headlines around the world, and conversations, broadcast to millions, including the notorious interview with L’il Abner cartoonist and conservative pundit Al Capp.

Both Yoko and John are incredible artists, and I hope this work captures some of the raucous but transcendent spirit of this event, in addition to the love and shared spirit of our dear friend Alicia. Yoko, I think really taught John about being an artist, and his work so evolved in their collaborations together. Yoko still rocks the house today in vital avant-garde ways that are open and compassionate—her retrospective at MoMA was outstanding, and we’ll never forget seeing her perform live with son Sean many moons ago with Bill Arning in Central Park.

Hopefully we’ll survive the nightmare of rising fascism and celebrate on the other side a new renaissance and peace!