
Advertise on podcast: Glass Onion: On John Lennon
Rating
4.7from
This podcast has
132 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Antony RotunnoExplicit
No
Date created
2019/07/22
Latest episode
2025/12/15
Average duration
87 min.
Release period
33 days
Description
A deep dive into the music and complex psychology of John Lennon, featuring interviews with such noted authors and podcasters as David Bedford, Dan Richter, Jude Kessler, Kit O'Toole and Ken McNab, as well as ex-Quarrymen bandmates Rod Davis and Colin Hanton
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Check latest episodes from Glass Onion: On John Lennon podcast
Episode 115: John Lennon In 1975 (Part 2 of 2)
2025/12/15
And so we bring to an end Glass Onion's 7th year…
John Lennon's 1975 is mostly remembered for being the year that he became a father for the second time and dropped out of the music biz for 5 years, apparently to become the most famous househusband in the world (the jury's still out on that one).
Before he did that though, he front-loaded the year with the usual frenetic activity you'd expect from a year in the life of our hero. There were albums and singles of his own, musical collaborations with others, his final ever live appearance, interviews for TV, radio and print, lots of written letters to friends and family, some Beatle contact, a public appearance here and there, lawsuits and his ongoing fight with America's powers that (probably shouldn't) be.
Oh, and he also found time for a sudden change in his lovelife, his past lover quickly consigned to (Lennon) history.
Best wishes for the season
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
episode links
John's albums of 1975:
Rock 'n' Roll
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_'n'_Roll_(John_Lennon_album)
Shaved Fish
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaved_Fish
Previous Glass Onion episode on the Rock 'n' Roll album and legal shenanigans
https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com/episode-65-rock-and-roll-1975-album-review-paul-or-nothing-swapcast-1
The majestic 'Angel Baby'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4kea1yZj0E
John's 2 TV interviews of 1975 (Bob Harris/Tom Snyder)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKDpCWO3nes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OQl10ZlfqU
John's final live performance (Imagine, April 1975)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtbzOENU3ec
John and *BOMF perform for 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkLXcQTusUw
John Paul (not that one) and Art at The Grammy's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUlR8jWUKd8
John does a bit of 'Lady Marmalade' on piano
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rs6Px9Cl-cg
May Pang's 'The Lost Weekend: A Love Story'
https://www.maypang.com/the-lost-weekend
Was John actually hypnotised by Yoko?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOsspa7uEis
Recommended books:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29501681-lennon-on-lennon
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21514255
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13528387-the-john-lennon-letters
Lennonology website
https://lennonology.com
David Bowie's 'Fame' (John on guitar and vocals)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypgq0qdgVZA
Operation Paperclip (important history)
https://explorethearchive.com/operation-paperclip
Episode 114: John Lennon In 1975 (Part 1 of 2)
2025/11/19
For our final offerings of the year, we present a 2-part look at 1975, the year of Antony's birth. As is traditional, we first cover the year itself in terms of world events, births & deaths, films and (non-Lennon) music, before turning to the John Lennon events of the year.
The Vietnam War is finally winding down, and there are numerous other examples of progress and destruction in another memorable 12 months on our blue planet. Ali & Frazier fight the fight to end them all and there are great films, singles and albums galore.
We'll look at John Lennon's part in all this fun and games in December
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
episode links
1975 in film and music
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_in_film
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_in_music
Jaws 4k clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCzncv0ISaE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOe3n9eO6Lc
Film Gold audio commentary (2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1c_E-LuSxs&rco=1
Documentary on the film's legacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtJEhEppu4
Mr Jaws! (spoof song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeYCOFblZRg
The Thrilla in Manila fight in HD and 2007 documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olp9gsmD_A0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEtCq6X7fUI
Paul Simon on the Dick Cavett show (Still Crazy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjtOa8d_BHU
Rolling Thunder Revue documentary (Dylan by Scorsese)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9577852/
'The Eleventh' podcast series (available everywhere podcasts are found)
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/truecrime/presents-the-eleventh/105982868
Eoghan Lyng's book about George Harrison
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61043229-george-harrison-in-the-70s
George Carlin on 'The Owners of the Country' (tough love)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dY4WlxO6i0
Christopher Hitchens gives the case against Henry Kissinger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNi-rhLGNj8
Baby You're A Rich Man 'video' (Beatles in Greece)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nECfL2_rqVk
Episode 113: Lennon Naked with David 'Ghosty' Wills
2025/10/23
David 'Ghosty' Wills is back once more to look at another biopic that's not really very good (we'll do something classic next time, I promise!), though our levels of (non-)appreciation of 2010's 'Lennon Naked' differ slightly
Christoper Eccleston gives something of a powerhouse performance as a very brutal and cutting version of John Lennon, starting in 1964 but mostly focusing on the 1967-71 period. All the main events of that time in John's life are covered here, with a soap-opera style reminiscent of the previously reviewed 'John & Yoko: A Love Story'.
Antony and Ghosty also discuss biopics in general, and the difficulty in capturing charismatic figures and writing dialogue worthy of them
There'll be another Glass Onion 2-parter to round off 2025, the first part due to come out in November
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Ghosty's Cliff Richard/Shadows podcast and you tube channel
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-p5kf8-10892e3
https://www.youtube.com/@GhostyTMRS/videos
episode links
Lennon Naked film pages and full film
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560164/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lennon_Naked
The fictional Magical Mystery Tour press conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdXLdbJ_xk8
Scene comparisons with real events
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFsahlxZZc
Glass Onion's 2020 episode on depictions of John Lennon on film (including Lennon Naked)
https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com/episode-30-john-lennon-on-film-the-good-the-bad-and-the-cameos-with-ed-chen
Elliot Roberts watched every Beatles biopic…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eon5X1W8uGc
John & Yoko's real encounter with Gloria Emerson (keep smiling)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIM7D_IfCtI
Freddie Lennon's 1965 smash-hit Xmas single (not quite)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azAiSG09FBk
The World of John & Yoko (BBC 1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dqVemtlJvk
Pete Shotton's recommended memoir
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1154066.John_Lennon
John Lennon at his humorous best (Get Back 1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9zuXRTul0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XdYb-16F7c
Episode 112: Birth of the Beatles (Part 2 of 2)
2025/08/06
We complete our look at 'Birth of the Beatles', the 1979 biopic which holds a unique place as the only one of its kind made while all 4 Beatles were still alive.
The timeline goes somewhat awry but we go from the boys having departed Hamburg in late-1960 to the tragic death of one of their band members and then the arrival in the story of their well-groomed, well-spoken but also fragile guardian angel. From there, destiny takes its course…
Before this, Antony offers a short item on 'The John Lennon Letters' print/audio book, a fine entry in the canon of Lennon/Beatles books that offers us personal and valuable insights into the eternal enigma that was and is John Lennon. The voice of Christopher Eccleston, who portrayed John in the TV film 'Lennon Naked', can be heard reading some of the letters
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
episode links
Birth of the Beatles film page and full film
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078865/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VpIA_87cxM
Scene comparisons with real events
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAY0_CGZNRY
Backbeat (1994)- Stu's death & John's tribute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3WmUNvMpKo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T5h_Cr0i7o
Pete Best on the Letterman show and TV-Am (1982/1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3j7nqx0Pgs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_p_zKrKWFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQpBXrESRig
Mona & Pete Best discuss Pete's dismissal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_p_zKrKWFE
'Drummed Out!' book (recommended)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2372130.Drummed_Out_
'The John Lennon Letters' (essential Lennon reading)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13528387-the-john-lennon-letters
John promotes 'In His Own Wife' with a little help from George
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1SjHkEepuk
'A Shot of Rhythm and Blues' BBC version (powerful Beatles rock cover)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VgvJj4EBpc
Episode 111: Birth of the Beatles (Part 1 of 2)
2025/07/17
Following our last exploration of a biopic of dubious quality, Antony flies solo this time to explore another one which, despite having some sense of time and place, is also somewhat lacking and to some extent unintentionally comedic.
'Birth of the Beatles', which came out in 1979, will always hold a unique place as the only Beatles biopic made while John Lennon was still alive. Considering that he'd reacted negatively to Cynthia's apparent rewriting of history in her book 'A Twist of Lennon' in 1978, it's quite something to ponder what he might have thought of this Dick Clark-produced TV film.
Preceding this, Antony offers a guitar lesson for the Bob Dylan song 'Masters of War' and then the song that it inspired (musically at least)- John Lennon's 'Working Class Hero.' There are also pre-outro Easter Eggs to be found in this episode…
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Antony demonstrates Beatles guitar parts on 'Pop Goes The 60s'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Y4f1efz6s
episode links
Birth of the Beatles film page and full film
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078865/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VpIA_87cxM
Scene comparisons with real events
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAY0_CGZNRY
Backbeat scenes (Prellies/Astrid photographs the band)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIpUr1wX5Rw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq3l4frmFDo
The development of the Scouse accent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcpXePrrCIk
Working Class Hero official video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMewtlmkV6c
Saturday Night And Sunday Morning (Angry Young Man)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B_G9niYeB8Q
Cry For A Shadow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4WMeOLHp28
Episode 110- John & Yoko: A Love Story and more... with David 'Ghosty' Wills (Part 2 of 2)
2025/05/27
Ghosty joins Antony once again to wrap up our dissection of 'John & Yoko: A Love Story', and there is also some discussion of two other presentations from 1985.
'John Lennon: A Journey In The Life' is a 'cheap and cheerful' trawl through the Lennon story, with another Liverpudlian Bernard Hill portraying our hero in John's own words, and 'John Lennon Remembered' is a short documentary featuring two of the other 'frontline Beatles' (sorry Ringo) plus other talking heads who knew Lennon at different stages of his life.
Ghosty will be back later in the year for another documentary review, and the next episode will be a review of another slightly hilarious Beatles biopic.
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Ghosty's Cliff Richard/Shadows podcast and you tube channel
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-p5kf8-10892e3
https://www.youtube.com/@GhostyTMRS/videos
Ghosty on the 4Kids Flashback podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAi2NSYpECo
episode links
John & Yoko: A Love Story
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089380/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTZRynp5j0
John Lennon: A Journey In The Life (1985)
https://archive.org/details/john-lennon-a-journey-in-the-life-tv-movie-1985_202312
Roger Waters- Across The Universe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThSDoOpnWmc
John Lennon Remembered (1985)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl9C7QXonGw
Big Train George Martin sketch (must-watch!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIA_NVFnXZ8
'One To One: John & Yoko' film trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxagfYjeMV4
John Lennon: Love Is All You Need (2010 doc)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3345610/
Episode 109- John & Yoko: A Love Story with David 'Ghosty' Wills (Part 1 of 2)
2025/04/26
We're happy to welcome back David 'Ghosty' Wills to discuss John & Yoko: A Love Story, a 1985 biopic starring Mark McGann and Kim Miyori that was very dear to our hearts, at least until we rewatched it!
We discuss some of the better scenes and also the unintentional comedy and 'TV movie tropes' of others. We cover about two thirds of the film here, and next time round we'll complete our review and also look at a couple of other presentations from the same year.
The conversation is preceded by Antony's thoughts on two recent John & Yoko documentaries, namely 'Daytime Revolution' and 'One To One: John & Yoko'
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Ghosty's Cliff Richard/Shadows podcast and you tube channel
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-p5kf8-10892e3
https://www.youtube.com/@GhostyTMRS/videos
episode links
IMDB page and the full film
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089380/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlTZRynp5j0
'Daytime Revolution' and 'One To One: John & Yoko' trailers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkjiRlTVVnQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxagfYjeMV4
John and Yoko with David Frost 1972
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg9Aovt29UQ
Mark Chapman gets John Lennon's autograph (Chapter 27 film)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFUXP2NYl5c
Episode 108: The Gospel According To John Lennon (Part 4 of 4)
2025/03/13
Another podcast journey comes to an end as we conclude our look at John Lennon (and The Beatles') religious, spiritual and philosophical journey by use of Steve Turner's excellent book 'The Gospel According To The Beatles'
After a brief recap of the previous episodes, Part 4 picks up from the formation of Apple in 1967, our four favourite rock gods soon discovering that utopian ideals, while often a good thing for the world, usually run into problems when they rub up against harsh reality. From there we cover the break-up of the Beatles, John's psychic solo adventures (therapy, zen, astrology, magic) and an encounter that Steve Turner had with John & Yoko in 1971.
We hope you've enjoyed this alternative look at the many changes that John and his bandmates went through in those crazy and remarkable years up to 1980, when one quarter of the famous foursome was gunned down by an individual who was apparently grappling with the forces of light and darkness in his head, even possibly praying to Satan himself.
Like everything else, an exploration of the world just beyond visible light can be used for good or bad. If nothing else John Lennon was mostly striving, through various means, to improve his life and make himself a better person, which is something we can all aspire to.
See you soon for our next podcast adventure
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Steve Turner's book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22515.The_Gospel_According_to_the_Beatles?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=q7FtACTtFS&rank=1
episode links
John, Paul and Apple (New York 1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC5bUE2d_c0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmBFFIwrttk
It's all going wrong at Rutle Corps!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ifa3wqqDE
What is Primal Therapy?
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-primal-therapy-5211136
Zen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen
Alan Watts on the Zen game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP87pQ3Yb0c
How to access your Higher Self
https://scottjeffrey.com/higher-self-meaning/
John Lennon: Knocking on Dylan's Door
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVI7fwfwrzk
'The Art & Music of John Lennon' by Peter Doggett
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/798473.The_Art_And_Music_Of_John_Lennon
Episode 107: The Gospel According To John Lennon (Part 3 of 4)
2025/02/14
Continuing our lengthy exploration of John Lennon's religious, spiritual and philosophical journey by use of Steve Turner's excellent book 'The Gospel According To The Beatles', Part 3 covers some fascinating chapters spanning the years 1964 to 1968 in the book's rough chronology.
John starts to consider the limitations of fame, is influenced by Bob Dylan and starts to finally put some of the spirit of his books into his song lyrics. The lads are 'turned on' by Dylan and take a somewhat logical trajectory through pot, LSD and meditation, always looking for some kind of answer and meaning.
The concept of 'love' is changing in society at this time, and it seems that more and more people are trying to find God on their travels, usually without entering a church. The figure of Jesus Christ continues to linger in John's life in this period, culminating in one of his most offbeat revelations in May 1968 after returning from their meditation sojourn in India.
Tune in for Part 4 next month
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Jon Stewart's book 'Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God'
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59593530-dylan-lennon-marx-and-god
Steve Turner's 'A Hard Day's Write' book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35666.A_Hard_Day_s_Write
episode links
John and George discuss meditation on the David Frost Show in 1967 (parts 1 & 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpYg2H34piw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXfkdLZLqXg
All You Need Is Love in colour! (June 1967)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16IQt0bEqZI
Joe Goodden's superb look at the Beatles and drugs (reviewed in episodes 49 & 50 of this podcast)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36379732-riding-so-high
What is LSD?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LSD
Albert Hoffman gets on his bike (LSD discovery)
https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a39763696/bicycle-day-albert-hofmann-lsd-psychedelic/
Paul McCartney spliffing very recently
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtklrYCzugo
Revolver: Death and Rebirth
https://medium.com/the-riff/the-beatles-revolver-a-spiritual-journey-of-death-and-rebirth-e73113b07242
Religion in the Beatles' songs
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beatles-songs-religion_n_4760561
The religious views of The Beatles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_the_Beatles
'The Art & Music of John Lennon' by Peter Doggett
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/798473.The_Art_And_Music_Of_John_Lennon
Excellent audiobook about the Rolling Stones' Altamont disaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_76909yHfc
Episode 106: The Gospel According To John Lennon (Part 2 of 4)
2025/01/07
We kick off 2025 with the continuation of our lengthy exploration of John Lennon's religious, spiritual and philosophical journey.
Part 2 starts with more of John and the Beatles' general beliefs about the world before starting a chronology of the Beatle years from the particular perspective of Steve Turner's book 'The Gospel According To The Beatles'
We go back to John's Sunday School grounding and his always ambivalent attitude to Jesus Christ and the religion he spawned, through the school years, his 'religious' (so to speak) devotion to rock and roll, Stu and Astrid, Hamburg, existentialism and finally the freedom-loving philosophy and behaviour of the Beatlemania-era foursome in 1963 and 64.
Ref- the intro clips come from John Lennon's Playboy interviews shortly before his death in 1980. The outro song is by 'The Fab Four' Beatles tribute band
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Jon Stewart's book 'Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God'
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59593530-dylan-lennon-marx-and-god
Steve Turner's 'A Hard Day's Write' book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35666.A_Hard_Day_s_Write
episode links
Royston Ellis on the 1960 Beatles
https://www.ibtimes.com/beatles-1960-liverpool-royston-ellis-remembers-996876
The original 'Beatnik Horror' article from 1960
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29873672@N02/6897934379
Jude Kessler on John & Stu's relationship ('Pop Goes The 60s' channel)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbED8SRpUoI
'Angry Young Men at the Kitchen Sink' (linking 2 genres)
https://literaturestudies.co.uk/angry-young-men-at-the-kitchen-sink/
Existentialism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism
Did Lewis Carroll's migraines inspire his 'Alice' books?
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)74368-3/fulltext
'Looking For Lennon' documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVpyOa2Kn1Y
'The Art & Music of John Lennon' by Peter Doggett
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/798473.The_Art_And_Music_Of_John_Lennon
The religious views of The Beatles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_the_Beatles
Liverpool's Anglican cathedral
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Cathedral
Episode 105: The Gospel According To John Lennon (Part 1 of 4)
2024/12/16
We end Glass Onion's 6th year with the start of another multi-part series, the first 4-parter in the history of the podcast.
Using (mostly) the John Lennon parts from Steve Turner's excellent 2006 book 'The Gospel According To The Beatles', we trace our hero's religious, spiritual and philosophical journey through its many twists and turns in his intense four-decade ride through life. Antony also comments on his own journey in these areas, some of which overlaps with that of John Lennon and The Beatles.
Part 1 looks at the first two chapters of Steve's book, focusing a lot on the 'Bigger Than Jesus' controversy of 1966. This is preceded by an attempt to lay some groundwork for this series by defining 'religion' and 'spirituality' and pondering what the differences (if any) between them are.
There are multiple audio clips at the start to help us along, and you will find many useful web links in the show notes below
Enjoy! And see you in January 2025 for part 2.
Best wishes from Antony
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching)
https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
episode links
Steve Turner's book
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22515.The_Gospel_According_to_the_Beatles
Jon Stewart's book 'Dylan, Lennon, Marx & God'
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59593530-dylan-lennon-marx-and-god
Steve and Jon on the 'Unbelievable ?' podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COHA7qRQX5o
John defends 'Bigger Than Jesus' in Chicago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZaI7m1xpAg
Brian Epstein speaks about the controversy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsqdzC2kFeA
John Lennon- God 'video'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX7GsonWTJA
Andrew Hickey's podcast on the Beatles in 1966-67 (including 'Bigger Than Jesus')
https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-150-all-you-need-is-love-by-the-beatles
Beatles interviews database
http://beatlesinterviews.org/
Joe Goodden's superb book on the Beatles and drugs
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36379732-riding-so-high
'The Rest Is History' podcast about Jesus's existence (2 parts)
https://therestishistory.com/287-jesus-christ-the-mystery/
https://therestishistory.com/288-jesus-christ-the-history/
John Cleese and Michael Palin defend 'The Life of Brian' in 1979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYMpObbt2rs
Band Aid 40th anniversary documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6_6PzRQ9sQ&t=1s
William Mann 'oustanding composers' article in The Times in 1963
https://www.beatlesbible.com/1963/12/27/the-times-what-songs-the-beatles-sang-by-william-mann/
Episode 104: John Lennon The Actor with Ross Marshall (Part 2 of 2)
2024/11/28
We conclude our look at John Lennon as an actor, starting from 1965's 'Help!' and with particular emphasis on what was arguably his only 'serious' role, albeit in an anti-war satire 'How I Won The War'. He also voices a famously sprawling Beatles TV film about a bus, and there's a film cameo and brief comedy sketch in amongst it all as well.
Antony is joined once again by professional actor Ross Marshall, and there are multiple audio clips to complement the conversation. Glass Onion will return in December for 1 or possibly 2 more episodes looking at John Lennon's religious and spiritual life.
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching)
https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Ross's acting page and his new film, currently streaming on A***** Prime
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6892498/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19632160/?ref_=nm_flmg_knf_t_1
episode links
John's scenes in 'Help!'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FesTTkMcSd4
How I Won The War (filmed in 1966, released in 1967)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_I_Won_the_War
John's scenes in 'How I Won The War'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEZFe94xpkk
Our original review of the film
https://glassoniononjohnlennon.com/episode-38-how-i-won-the-war-reel-britannia-film-podcast
John is interviewed on the set of the film in Almeria, Spain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8u5Ct8cdpQ&t=137s
John as the doorman of the 'Ad Lav' ('Not Only But Also', Nov 1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qAo0wx--C0
James Hargreaves's very imaginative interpretation of the 'Magical Mystery Tour' film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CTIlgC0P0Q
John riffs with Little Nicola on the bus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTjP74avEpQ
'I Am The Walrus' in 4k (glorious!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMOrBbcoFbo
Mr Creosote scene (somewhat influenced by Magical Mystery Tour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aczPDGC3f8U
The Beatles' cameo in the 'Yellow Submarine' film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM8S4Y7FPMk
John needles Peter Sellers in Twickenham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpcAUdgCChc
'Daytime Revolution' trailer (new doc about John & Yoko)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkjiRlTVVnQ
John at his charismatic peak playing DJ in 1974
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCq-kdYEvT4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_G7PN9Yovw
Episode 103: John Lennon The Actor with Ross Marshall (Part 1 of 2)
2024/11/13
The show keeps rolling with a look at John Lennon as an actor, both in films and TV sketches and also in his persona as Beatle John with the press and on stage. Antony is joined in this endeavour by professional actor Ross Marshall, and the conversation also looks at the craft of acting itself in terms of styles and John Lennon's (un)suitability for it.
Part 1 reaches the end of 1964, including discussion of John's performance in 'A Hard Day's Night'. Part 2 will be out in a few weeks
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching)
https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Ross's acting page and his new film, currently streaming on A***** Prime
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6892498/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19632160/?ref_=nm_flmg_knf_t_1
episode links
John's scenes in 'A Hard Day's Night'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjkYjI4Mjd0
John on 'Not Only But Also' in Jan 1965 (2 appearances, both filmed in Nov 1964)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P2j24WMzbg
Eoghan Lyng analyses and discusses John's acting
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/exploring-john-lennons-foray-into-acting/
Antony discusses A Hard Day's Night on the 'Classic Film Jerks' podcast
https://player.fm/series/classic-film-jerks-2394703/a-hard-days-night
Marlon Brando talks about acting and has a friendly disagreement about it with Dick Cavett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0yo5xKqt0o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tvca0FcuSs
David Mamet's book on acting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_and_False:_Heresy_and_Common_Sense_for_the_Actor
Michael Caine's acting masterclass and Peter Serafinowicz's parody of it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZPLVDwEr7Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdaLhOODouI&t=1s
Bonus Episode #15- Antony interviewed by James Jarman in 2016
2024/10/09
For our latest bonus episode, we offer a diversion and a trip back to the past as your humble host is interviewed about his and other people's music by a friend in Madrid in 2016. Topics touched upon include songwriting, creativity, performance, recording and (no surprise) The Beatles and John Lennon.
Preceding the interview are Antony's thoughts after a reread of the Ray Coleman revised and updated 'Lennon' biography.
The next regular episode will be out at the start of November
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching)
https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
episode links
James Jarman in action with the Gines in 2015
TTFN- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nkbYIWzLdc
iAddict- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqqlttrSp_Y
Antony interviews James in Madrid in 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCHg7BOc34&list=PLJHwepa7LNQ2oXU3H7zDFwmW4iUsXHc_h&index=1
Creativity, Communal Experience & Mental Health ('Life And Life Only' episode 19 - relevant part starts at 10.30)
https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/e/episode-19-life-coaching-creativity-communal-experience-mental-health/
'Lennon: The Definitive Biography' by Ray Coleman
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52247.Lennon
John & Yoko: A Love Story (1985 TV film)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u_FUvmmrPg&list=PLxzkNx9uq6gjgbNne6prJSQNH6YcC0xmr
Imagine: John Lennon (1988 documentary)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095360/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Episode 102- Toronto 1969 Part 2: Sweet Toronto with Dave Thurmaier
2024/09/18
We complete our 2-part look at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival concert of September 1969 and the 'white-suited apostle' John Lennon's involvement in it with the highly flexible Plastic Ono Band. Following 'Revival '69', Antony and Dave Thurmaier turn their attention to a 1971 film that should be in every Lennon fan's video collection, namely D.A. Pennebaker's film 'Sweet Toronto'.
Antony also reads some other articles and opinions about the event (Goldman despisers, please look away now) and gets Dave's take on a few Lennon questions that used to be regularly tackled on Glass Onion, involving reality and also a parallel universe where John is still alive (and well?...).
As you listen, try to imagine an 80s and 90s where his presence is still active rather than being consumed by his legend, and Cobain gets or makes the call (Kurt plays The Beatles- see below)
Enjoy!
Feedback to [email protected]
Support the show at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/antonyrotunno
OR
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/antonyrotunno
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/glassonionjlpod
Twitter handle
https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon
Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life
coaching)
https://www.antonyrotunno.com
Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media)
https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com
Dave's podcast
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-i5y5r-ef07d3
episode links
Sweet Toronto film (appropriately grainy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiSf0gY_X6k
Revival '69 trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twSK2dycpB0
Alternative John Lennon performances of the songs from the Toronto set
(BBC 1963, Hollywood Bowl 1965, Rock and Roll Circus, Madison Square Garden, a Montreal hotel room)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kSnNyC3_So
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZkoXOHLxbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeFwaWFTGYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPPW4MNZwQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftE8vr0WNus
Yoko Ono's Why (with graphics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_cwuRmjhsY
A Yoko pop album you should check out
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n-lSeTHdHd7gyEmlAFe6WHeKftwUgkHGA
Rubber Soul film (comparison of Lennon 1970 and 1980 interviews)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB8Z1LRBmTA
Cold Turkey at the Lyceum isolated tracks (a song about pain!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLfQ0bplMv8
Kurt Cobain- And I Love Her
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzA4shGmw8
Pennebaker and Dylan's 'Don't Look Back'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNIQznF6NkQ
Podcast reviews
Read Glass Onion: On John Lennon podcast reviews
Philadelphia Fan 2021/08/24
Unique and Insightful Life Lessons!
Glass Onion: On John Lennon is by far my favorite Podcast of all time!
I am a lifelong Lennon fan (well, at least since 1978 when I was 13 years old),...
TTW superfan 2021/07/16
Out The Blue You Came To Me
Wow. This podcast is full of great clips, knowledgeable guests and a host that thoroughly knows how to produce a podcast. Lennon isn’t an easy person ...
Futureretiredlawyer 2020/11/26
i like how genuine and vulnerable he is
makes me feel less alone
Jv6-- 2020/10/17
I look foward to every show
This show is anyone’s cup of tea who loves John Lennon like I do. I’ve always been very interested into the psychology of it all which this show goes ...
The 354,976th Beatle 2020/10/08
Beautiful Podcast (Darling Podcast)
This is not only a great podcast about John Lennon, but the host is genuine and authentic in his passion on the subject. The host, Antony has a calmi...
TeenJohnLennon 2020/04/23
The Gold Mine of Lennon's Life
Antony - aka the Glass Onion has put together a tremendous Lennon podcast with great guests and awesome interviews, all of which have created a gold m...
MarineMan000 2020/01/02
Fascinating and Insightful
Love Antony’s dulcet tones on this podcast! It’s also refreshing to focus in on one voice - tremendously helpful considering the vastness of the subje...
moondr 2019/10/01
Great Interviews
I had a great time being interviewd by Anthony. We were able to go into great and thoughtful detail together. Any one interested on John and Yoko sh...
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