Sean Ono Lennon has overseen the sound restoration for 'Power To The People: John & Yoko Live In NYC', a new concert film featuring restored footage of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1972 charity performances at Madison Square Garden. The film arrives in cinemas for a limited release starting April 29, marking the couple's 57th wedding anniversary. Lennon describes the project as a key effort in preserving his parents' legacy.
The two concerts, held one evening and one matinee in 1972, were John Lennon's only full-length performances before his murder in 1980. Sean Ono Lennon focused primarily on improving the audio quality, which he found 'mushy' on the original live album 'John Lennon Live In New York City' produced by Yoko Ono in 1986. 'I grew up listening to the live album... And I always thought it sounded a bit, you know, mushy,' he said in an interview with NME. The restored version highlights Lennon's voice in a style distinct from his Beatles era, influenced by primal scream therapy though he later dismissed it as unhelpful. Sean praised his mother's performances, noting her avant-garde style that predated punk. 'She essentially invented punk,' he said, referencing Malcolm McLaren's view of Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band. Songs like 'Open Your Box', once banned in America for its suggestive title, and John Lennon's apologetic take on 'Come Together' feature prominently. Ono Lennon remains protective of his parents' legacy, recently defending them online from critics. He also shared updates on future projects, including a re-release of 'Walls And Bridges' next year and interactions with the Beatles' circle as a director at Apple Corps.