Episode 54 – Beatles ’71 pt8

It’s the end of 1971 and John and Yoko have truly made New York City their home. Newfound neighbors such as self-proclaimed dirty hippy David Peel and fellow cyclist Bob Dylan were helping the couple fit right in to the big apple (pun) lifestyle. But it was their new friends in the radical community such as Jerry Rubin who were making the biggest impression on the politically outspoken Lennons. Tangible success at last befell the couple in the cause of the imprisoned MC5 manager John Sinclair, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to give two joints to an undercover police officer two years earlier. Following a rally headlined by John and Yoko, who penned a new song for the occasion, Sinclair was released from prison and New York’s newest residents found themselves emboldened to use their celebrity for similarly targeted causes. From the plight of the Irish to the women’s liberation movement, John and Yoko made their voices heard...but it was the tragedy of Attica State which would spark the most heated debate between the former Beatle and his new neighbors. One cause the couple was no longer ready to fight for? The conflict with Paul McCartney. At last a reconciliation between the most influential songwriting duo of the 20th century was reached, but by the end of 1971 the last thing on the minds of John, Paul, George and Ringo was a reunion. Political activism, starring film roles, unlikely success and new bands were just the tip of the iceberg for the rest of the 1970’s to come...