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John Lennon and Yoko Ono in New York City: A Timeline

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.

November 9, 1966
John and Yoko meet

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.

November 9, 1966
PHOTO: John and Yoko walking with the NYC skyline. ©Ben Ross
March 20, 1969

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.

March 20, 1969
August 1971

NYC apartment

John and Yoko get an apartment on Bank Street in New York City's Greenwich Village.

August 1971
December 11, 1971

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.

December 11, 1971
March 6, 1972

Lennon and Ono served with deportation orders

John and Yoko are served with deportation orders. The couple's four year battle against deportation begins.

March 6, 1972
June 12, 1972

"Some Time in New York City" released

Some Time in New York City is released in the United States.

June 12, 1972
August 30, 1972

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.

August 30, 1972
November 1973

John and Yoko separate

John and Yoko separate. John goes to Los Angeles, California.

November 1973
November 2, 1973

"Mind Games" released

Mind Games is released in the United States.

November 2, 1973
September 26, 1974

"Walls and Bridges" released

"Walls and Bridges" is released in the United States.

September 26, 1974
November 28, 1974
Lennon loses a bet

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.

November 28, 1974
PHOTO: John and Elton on stage at Madison Square Garden. ©Bob Gruen/www.bobgruen.com
January, 1975

John and Yoko reunited

John officially returns to the Dakota and is re-united with Yoko.

January, 1975
February 17, 1975

"Rock 'n' Roll" released

The Rock 'n' Roll album is released in the United States.

February 17, 1975
October 7, 1975

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.

October 7, 1975
October 9, 1975
Sean Taro Ono Lennon is born

Sean Taro Ono Lennon is born

On John's 35th birthday, Yoko gives birth to Sean Taro Ono Lennon. John begins his 'househusband years'.

October 9, 1975
PHOTO: John and baby Sean. ©Bob Gruen/www.bobgruen.com
August 4, 1980

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.

August 4, 1980
November 17, 1980

"Double Fantasy" released

Double Fantasy is released in the United States.

November 17, 1980
December 8, 1980

Lennon is murdered

John Winston Ono Lennon is murdered outside of his home in New York City.

December 8, 1980
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