John Lennon’s time in New York, a substantial portion of his life post-Beatles, includes many of his important moments in his biography – for both his professional life and his relationship with Yoko Ono and journey into fatherhood. Below is a series of milestones covered in LENNONYC that formed John’s life as a solo artist and father.
John and Yoko meet
John and Yoko meet for the first time at the Indica Gallery in Mason's Yard, Duke Street, London S.W.1 for a preview of Yoko's upcoming exhibition entitled Unfinished Paintings and Objects.
John and Yoko marry
John and Yoko are married in Gibraltar. For their honeymoon the couple stage Bed Ins in Amsterdam and in Montreal, where "Give Peace a Chance" is recorded on May 31, 1969.
NYC apartment
John and Yoko get an apartment on Bank Street in New York City's Greenwich Village.
Ten for Two
John and Yoko perform at the Ten for Two Concert, a benefit rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan to get John Sinclair out of jail.
Lennon and Ono served with deportation orders
John and Yoko are served with deportation orders. The couple's four year battle against deportation begins.
"Some Time in New York City" released
Some Time in New York City is released in the United States.
One to One concert at Madison Square Garden
John, Yoko and the Plastic Ono Elephant's Memory Band host the One to One concert at Madison Square Garden, a benefit concert for the children of Willowbrook State School.
John and Yoko separate
John and Yoko separate. John goes to Los Angeles, California.
"Mind Games" released
Mind Games is released in the United States.
"Walls and Bridges" released
"Walls and Bridges" is released in the United States.
Lennon loses a bet
After losing a bet that “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night” would never go to number one (it did), John Lennon accompanied his good friend Elton John onstage at Madison Square Garden. John and Yoko claim this concert to be the catalyst for their reconciliation.
John and Yoko reunited
John officially returns to the Dakota and is re-united with Yoko.
"Rock 'n' Roll" released
The Rock 'n' Roll album is released in the United States.
Lennon wins deportation challenge
The New York State Supreme Court votes to reverse John's deportation order. John wins his battle to stay in the country.
Sean Taro Ono Lennon is born
On John's 35th birthday, Yoko gives birth to Sean Taro Ono Lennon. John begins his 'househusband years'.
Recording again
John and Yoko enter the recording studio, New York's Hit Factory, for the first time in six years to begin work on a new album.
"Double Fantasy" released
Double Fantasy is released in the United States.
Lennon is murdered
John Winston Ono Lennon is murdered outside of his home in New York City.