Yoko Ono

John Lennon & Dick Cavett

John Lennon & Dick Cavett

As the 1970s came to a close, John Lennon famously withdrew from the public eye to focus on his family life. He was no longer appearing on television shows and peace rallies to rail against the confusion and destruction wrought by the political powers of the world. But as one of those television hosts, Dick Cavett, attests, John was anything but dormant during this period. He nearly made a surprise live appearance on a late-night TV show. He nearly died when he went on a sailing expedition through the Bermuda Triangle. And as his public profile began to increase again, the private security that he and Yoko hired to protect them began to raise some very valid concerns.

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John Lennon & Harry Nilsson

John Lennon & Harry Nilsson

Was Harry Nilsson a bad influence on John Lennon? Or was John Lennon a bad influence on Harry Nilsson? Harry ponders this very question as he takes a stroll down a very inebriated memory lane. It’s on this journey that John and Harry consume far too many Brandy Alexanders, Harry tries to get Paul McCartney to take a horse tranquilizer, Harry literally shreds his vocal cords, and John makes a heroic stand at RCA Records.

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John Lennon & Phil Spector

John Lennon & Phil Spector

To settle a copyright lawsuit, John Lennon begins a disastrous recording project with one of the most disastrous producers in the biz: Phil Spector. The former “tycoon of teen” attempts to helm John’s rock ‘n roll covers album in Los Angeles, which quickly devolves into drunken hijinx, all while a threatening music executive presents serious challenges. Plus, Spector reveals the reason why John and Yoko wanted to be in the United States in the first place – and it’s not what you think.

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John Lennon & Richard Nixon

John Lennon & Richard Nixon

As John Lennon becomes the most famous political dissident in America, President Richard Nixon becomes increasingly paranoid. Nixon defends his legacy as well as the lengths to which his administration went in order to silence the rabble rousing ex-Beatle. Nixon’s own fears led him to believe that John wouldn’t just sway the youth vote, but that he would violently disrupt the country. Nixon’s tales include wiretaps, riots, and even the Godfather himself, James Brown.

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Start listening to Brian Wilson Is Smiling Again (The Brian Wilson Story, Chapter 10)
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Start listening to Brian Wilson Is Smiling Again (The Brian Wilson Story, Chapter 10)
36:15