🍉 SEAN ONO LENNON - AMA - ASK ME ANYTHING - Here - on Thursday 19 September - Midday ET / 9am PT / 5pm UK / 1am Tokyo

[Sean]

Hi Sean! With so many extras for fans to discover and explore within the Mind Games releases (such as the puzzle, Nutopia website, box set design etc.), is there one you found the most enjoyable to put together?

The whole thing has been really fun. And there's more to come so just wait!

 

[Sean]

Sean, I was just wondering if somewhere down the line is there a plan to take some of your Dad's home demos and clean them up with the MAL software as with Now & Then? There are some wonderful songs that were shared on the Lost Lennon Tapes that really deserve to see the light of day (Gone From This Place is gorgeous for a start).

No plans but open to eveyrthing.

 

[Ingryd Medeiros]

I can only mix the way I hear things. The sax was not helping in my view. Yes we will do Walls and Bridges but we're still focused on Mind Games this year.

 

[Louden]

I have played drums on every record I have released.

Have you ever had a lesson from Uncle Ringo?

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean, greetings from Nagoya!

Being *somewhat* of a guitar player, I have a few gear questions.

I'm really curious. Dhani Harrison previously mentioned his love for the Let It Be Rosewood Telecaster.

1) What is your favorite guitar in your personal collection? Why?

2) Also, which of your dad's guitars is a personal favorite and why?

Thanks!

Brian

My best guitars are 60s Jazz Masters. My fav guitar of dad's might be the stripped maple Epiphone. But I think I had different taste in guitars from my dad. I never liked playing those little Ricks. Neck too small.

 

[nutopia999]

Hi Sean,

There is a Triadex Muse Synthesizer visible on the floor of The Dakota in the 1973 Sony Portapak video -- as seen in the 2024 "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" music video. Do you know if your parents used the Triadex Muse when composing home demos?

 

[Sean]

Good afternoon from London Sean, I think you have been asked this question many times previously and on here too and it may be a bit frustrating, having put in so much hard work on Mind Games to be asked so soon after it's release, in regard of "what's next"? But is it your intention to progressively work through your father's solo material in the same type of way as time progresses? The work on Mind Games is so impressive and superb and it would be nice to know if other work will be given the same type of attention?

My plan is to keep doing the best job I can. I don't like to make promises,. Plans change. Worlds change. I'll do my best is all I can say.

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean, thanks for doing an AMA and for all your work on the recent releases!

The estate recently tweeted the lyrics to I Know (I know) and asked if they are about Paul McCartney. What do YOU think? And how involved are you in the estates social media posts? I think a lot of fans wonder this. Much appreciated

https://twitter.com/x/status/1817108350200320369

I honestly believe that once you release a song to the world, you can't control what it's about anymore. It's open to the interpretation of the listener. As for socials, I don't post but I am very very close with the person who does. We touch base about it all the time.

 

[Louden]

Hi Sean,

There is a Triadex Muse Synthesizer visible on the floor of The Dakota in the 1973 Sony Portapak video -- as seen in the 2024 "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" music video. Do you know if your parents used the Triadex Muse when composing home demos?

View attachment 1151

John Lennon used two small portable tape recorders; one to record the other while he simultaneously played live. This was a poor man's muilti-track. They didn't have Porta-studios, back then.

 

[Sean]

Sean, what is one thing you would like people to understand once and for all about your relationship with you brother? Every single time you appear together there are countless comments saying things like "oh, it's so good to know that they are getting along now". It must be exhausting for the both of you...

My brother and I have always loved each other. Even when there were tensions between he and my mother, we were always close. My mother always loved him too. we did have a relationship. Like always families imperfect. But it wasn't the drama people imagine.

 

[Sean]

How's your mom? You mentioned in a interview this year that you guys are living together. Does that mean she definitively moved out of the Dakota or is the Dakota still considered home sweet home?

Send her hugs and kisses on my behalf please

We consider the Dakota and Upstate home. One is city one is country.

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean, I'm a big fan of yours's and your parents work.

In looking at your work, such as an album like Friendly Fire, I often wonder what your song-writing process is. Could you please give an insight of how you like to write your music?

Thank you so much.

I just hear stuff in my head and play around until it feels finished.

 

[Sean]

How did your mom react to you winning an Oscar and winning one because of a beautiful short film inspired by the War Is Over song, activism and campaign?

I think she was happy.

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean, I have two questions.
First, will the albums Menlove Ave., Live in New York City, and the John Lennon Anthology ever be added to streaming?
Also, will the album Some Time In New York City ever get an Ultimate Collection release? I hear rumours it might be, but they've gone quiet. Could the content of some of the songs (especially the opening track) be problematic and be preventing a release?
Thanks for hosting this AMA, there's a lot of questions in this thread I'd love to hear the answer to.

I hope that everything comes out at the right moment and time.

 

[Lintu]

One great thing in Mind Games box was that outtakes were also in 5:1, that really took me into the studio. It really showed that everybody was having fun making it! It's a bit shame that there is no film material on those sessions, but audio also takes you there!

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean,

Love your music and thanks for producing the wonderful new Mind Games box set!

Two questions about videotape footage of your dad:

1. In the May 1973 Sony Portapak videotape footage at The Dakota, why is John Lennon wearing a United States Navy APH-6 pilot's helmet, with microphone attached, indoors at night with the sun visor down? What is he up to?
2. Does the August 19, 1980 professional videotape footage of John Lennon performing multiple takes of "I'm Losing You" at The Hit Factory studio still exist? And will this 1980 videotape footage ever be officially released?

Thank you! Please see screen capture images below for reference...

Below: 1973 Sony Portapak videotape at The Dakota. John appears to have a helmet microphone routed into a Fender tweed guitar amp behind him.

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Below: 1973 Sony Portapak videotape at The Dakota. John is apparently adjusting the volume or tone controls on what appears to be a 1950s-era Fender tweed guitar amp.

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Below: 1973 Sony Portapak videotape at The Dakota. Close up of the device affixed to the back of John's pilot helmet. The metal box may be a microphone impedance transformer allowing John to speak or sing through his guitar amp.

View attachment 1129

Below: "clapper" slate for the August 19, 1980 videotape footage at The Hit Factory

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Below: Video still from unreleased footage of John performing "I'm Losing You" on August 19, 1980 at The Hit Factory

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Below: John & Yoko on August 19, 1980 -- just before entering The Hit Factory recording studios for the "I'm Losing You" videotape session.

View attachment 1133

The Helmet is a toy someone made. It's a built in radio and headphones. Some gadget that was just for fun. As for footage I don't know exactly. Just wrapping my head around the archive slowly but surely.

 

[Sean]

Sean, how much does your mother influence Charlotte's art? I see that she admires her a lot and it would be interesting to know more about that.

Haha well that's not a question I can answer! I know Charlotte respects my mother a lot. And she doesnt respect many people!

 

[keviwevi66]

My best guitars are 60s Jazz Masters. My fav guitar of dad's might be the stripped maple Epiphone. But I think I had different taste in guitars from my dad. I never liked playing those little Ricks. Neck too small.

Sean..your father's Yamaha Dragon acoustic guitar? Any plans to ever have this replicated as a limited edition release instrument for us players? Maybe it is something you and Julian can collaborate on..charity proceeds etc?

 

[Sean]

Hi Sean,

There is a Triadex Muse Synthesizer visible on the floor of The Dakota in the 1973 Sony Portapak video -- as seen in the 2024 "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" music video. Do you know if your parents used the Triadex Muse when composing home demos?

View attachment 1151

No they didn't use it. But it's on my first album Into The Sun, if you listen carefully.

 

[Sean]