Comments on: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Chuck Berry perform "Memphis" (1972) http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 18 May 2013 19:52:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: mindfu http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1608348 mindfu Sat, 15 Dec 2012 03:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1608348 Criticism =/= hate. Also, predictability =/= wrong. Criticism =/= hate.

Also, predictability =/= wrong.

]]> By: mindfu http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1608345 mindfu Sat, 15 Dec 2012 03:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1608345 George W. Bush made me write a ton of essays. Does that make him a genius?  George W. Bush made me write a ton of essays. Does that make him a genius? 

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1607133 timquinn Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1607133 I would take that on if I were younger. Alas . . .  I would take that on if I were younger. Alas . . . 

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1607132 timquinn Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1607132 The only problem I see with Yoko's performance is that it is a little weak, timid. That could be what so bugs people about it. It gets under your skin immediately, its absolutely breaking every rule of polite society. A generation later this is totally recognized as a legitimate approach at almost any level of culture. I give you Andy Kaufmann as someone in the same tradition and just as viscerally disturbing. He enjoyed success probably because he worked in an area where awkward white males were already expected. Being female and asian and fearless is a lot to ask of someone appearing on tv in the mid sixties. Shoot, Berry thought he was the scheduled weirdo. He is not that freaked out, He follows up her yodelesque with his own duck walk. Middle-class America needed this in such a huge way. Obviously, still does. It is like nails on the chalk board. Yeah, you can learn to love it beyond just bringing embarrassment to the participants. A generation of punk rockers can attest to that. This clip is an awesome moment of pop culture history. Marred only by Yoko's own timidity. She was no doubt under a lot of pressure not to do it and would not have had the opportunity without John's near godlike status at the time. The only problem I see with Yoko’s performance is that it is a little weak, timid. That could be what so bugs people about it. It gets under your skin immediately, its absolutely breaking every rule of polite society. A generation later this is totally recognized as a legitimate approach at almost any level of culture. I give you Andy Kaufmann as someone in the same tradition and just as viscerally disturbing. He enjoyed success probably because he worked in an area where awkward white males were already expected. Being female and asian and fearless is a lot to ask of someone appearing on tv in the mid sixties. Shoot, Berry thought he was the scheduled weirdo. He is not that freaked out, He follows up her yodelesque with his own duck walk. Middle-class America needed this in such a huge way. Obviously, still does.
It is like nails on the chalk board. Yeah, you can learn to love it beyond just bringing embarrassment to the participants. A generation of punk rockers can attest to that.

This clip is an awesome moment of pop culture history. Marred only by Yoko’s own timidity. She was no doubt under a lot of pressure not to do it and would not have had the opportunity without John’s near godlike status at the time.

]]> By: Stephan http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606958 Stephan Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606958 Yoko Ono just made you write half an essay you are aware of that? Yoko Ono just made you write half an essay you are aware of that?

]]> By: Stephan http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606956 Stephan Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606956 All that Yoko hate ... all too predictable. All that Yoko hate … all too predictable.

]]> By: euansmith http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606560 euansmith Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606560  I misread your name as "Tinquim" which seemed a trifle outré.  I misread your name as “Tinquim” which seemed a trifle outré.

]]> By: euansmith http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606554 euansmith Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606554  "But, Paul, you're not even the best guitarist in Nirvana."  ”But, Paul, you’re not even the best guitarist in Nirvana.”

]]> By: euansmith http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606550 euansmith Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606550 Cool; Chuck and John, and I even enjoyed Yoko's input. Cool; Chuck and John, and I even enjoyed Yoko’s input.

]]> By: alfanovember http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606311 alfanovember Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606311 incidentally, Chuck Berry is one of the 20th Century's Top 10 most influential and special artists. Fixed it for you. incidentally, Chuck Berry is one of the 20th Century’s Top 10 most influential and special artists.
Fixed it for you.

]]> By: Mitchell Glaser http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606272 Mitchell Glaser Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606272 And if you notice, Yoko's mic is pointed down at her drum in the beginning but you can see her flip it up to photobomb her vocals in. And if you notice, Yoko’s mic is pointed down at her drum in the beginning but you can see her flip it up to photobomb her vocals in.

]]> By: Jim Beach http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606268 Jim Beach Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606268 Meh.  If Yoko was having an art show with Frida Kahlo, and Kahlo's love interest musician started throwing random paint on everyone in the whole gallery and ruining the pieces, would that mean Yoko's art show was a success? I'm pretty sure Yoko wouldn't appreciate that. So yeah, this clip is a fascinating trainwreck. It's still a trainwreck.  Meh. 

If Yoko was having an art show with Frida Kahlo, and Kahlo’s love interest musician started throwing random paint on everyone in the whole gallery and ruining the pieces, would that mean Yoko’s art show was a success?

I’m pretty sure Yoko wouldn’t appreciate that. So yeah, this clip is a fascinating trainwreck. It’s still a trainwreck. 

]]> By: mindfu http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606040 mindfu Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606040 I actually am hearing her vocals take about the place a saxophone would. That makes it not too bad. Still, when she's choosing to vocalize is so bad for the song that it really does occur to me she's trying to blow everything up. The bongo playing also. I actually am hearing her vocals take about the place a saxophone would. That makes it not too bad. Still, when she’s choosing to vocalize is so bad for the song that it really does occur to me she’s trying to blow everything up. The bongo playing also.

]]> By: mindfu http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606034 mindfu Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606034 True, Yoko Ono was a great conceptual artist.  Also, she was a terrible vocalist who basically ruined this TV spot to get attention. The two are not mutually exclusive.If Yoko was having an art show and Chuck Berry walked into it and started writing in pee on one of her pieces, that wouldn't take away from his skills as a guitarist. It would, however, be about as useful as Yoko in this clip. True, Yoko Ono was a great conceptual artist. 
Also, she was a terrible vocalist who basically ruined this TV spot to get attention.

The two are not mutually exclusive.If Yoko was having an art show and Chuck Berry walked into it and started writing in pee on one of her pieces, that wouldn’t take away from his skills as a guitarist. It would, however, be about as useful as Yoko in this clip.

]]> By: mindfu http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606021 mindfu Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606021 Yes, Yoko Ono was a good and influential conceptual artist and a member of Fluxus. Also, she was (and I'm sure still is) an absolutely terrible vocalist. Who, rather than learn to sing well, took a conceptual direction with it where she would sound as awful as possible. And probably worst of all, from what I can see she was unable to deal with simply there and not being the focus of attention. It's on her face on stage. Lennon is radiantly happy to be playing with one of his childhood heroes. Berry is happy to be playing with this very famous star who's work he probably also liked. And Yoko just looks *miserable*, angrily banging a bongo about once a bar. While the person she's supposed to love is on stage with one of his childhood heroes, she couldn't just suck it up and be nice. She had to do something loud and *noticeable*. She had to blow up the spot. Notice the timing of when she's 'singing'. There's absolutely no reason for her to start vocals while Berry is halfway through his line. Even a good saxophone player waits until the lead singer's done. But nope, not Yoko...straight in. Linda McCartney wasn't the greatest, but she didn't seem to vindictively grab the spotlight. She just wanted to be a part of her mega-talented husband's work, and was about as good as an average civilian. Hard to hate her for that. Yoko, on the other hand, just comes off to me as a bratty scheming mess. Yes, Yoko Ono was a good and influential conceptual artist and a member of Fluxus.

Also, she was (and I’m sure still is) an absolutely terrible vocalist. Who, rather than learn to sing well, took a conceptual direction with it where she would sound as awful as possible.

And probably worst of all, from what I can see she was unable to deal with simply there and not being the focus of attention. It’s on her face on stage. Lennon is radiantly happy to be playing with one of his childhood heroes. Berry is happy to be playing with this very famous star who’s work he probably also liked. And Yoko just looks *miserable*, angrily banging a bongo about once a bar.
While the person she’s supposed to love is on stage with one of his childhood heroes, she couldn’t just suck it up and be nice. She had to do something loud and *noticeable*. She had to blow up the spot. Notice the timing of when she’s ‘singing’. There’s absolutely no reason for her to start vocals while Berry is halfway through his line. Even a good saxophone player waits until the lead singer’s done. But nope, not Yoko…straight in.

Linda McCartney wasn’t the greatest, but she didn’t seem to vindictively grab the spotlight. She just wanted to be a part of her mega-talented husband’s work, and was about as good as an average civilian. Hard to hate her for that. Yoko, on the other hand, just comes off to me as a bratty scheming mess.

]]> By: mindfu http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606011 mindfu Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606011 I do think it's pretty clear from Mr. Berry's face that he had no idea what he was in for. I do think it’s pretty clear from Mr. Berry’s face that he had no idea what he was in for.

]]> By: Kevin Brennan http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1606001 Kevin Brennan Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1606001 If memory serves (since I'm an old fart who ran home from school every day to watch the Mike Douglas Show that week), that's Yippie Jerry Rubin playing the drum next to Yoko.  If memory serves (since I’m an old fart who ran home from school every day to watch the Mike Douglas Show that week), that’s Yippie Jerry Rubin playing the drum next to Yoko. 

]]> By: BurntHombre http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605952 BurntHombre Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605952 That stage has one too many microphones. That stage has one too many microphones.

]]> By: Saltine http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605913 Saltine Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605913 A couple of thoughts over the Ono-outrage. First: Ono was a member of the Fluxus movement, which liked to mess with pop culture AND high art and often tried to see how far you could push kitschy pop-culture to make it interesting. You can't get much more kitschy/schmaltzy than this song, and the venue invites détournement. Second: The song does not get hurt. I guarantee you that there are more performances of it on YouTube and that most of them are "straight." So, finally, if you didn't like it, that's ok. But no one got hurt, beyond butt-hurt, and if they did, well, maybe their butt needs tweaking. A couple of thoughts over the Ono-outrage. First: Ono was a member of the Fluxus movement, which liked to mess with pop culture AND high art and often tried to see how far you could push kitschy pop-culture to make it interesting. You can’t get much more kitschy/schmaltzy than this song, and the venue invites détournement. Second: The song does not get hurt. I guarantee you that there are more performances of it on YouTube and that most of them are “straight.” So, finally, if you didn’t like it, that’s ok. But no one got hurt, beyond butt-hurt, and if they did, well, maybe their butt needs tweaking.

]]> By: howaboutthisdangit http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605905 howaboutthisdangit Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605905 I don't know if the validity of the Linda McCartney recording has every been decided, but it sure IS funny. http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/03/audio_hoaxes_an.html I don’t know if the validity of the Linda McCartney recording has every been decided, but it sure IS funny.

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/03/audio_hoaxes_an.html

]]> By: fergus1948 http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605893 fergus1948 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605893 McCartney must feel he forever lives in John's shadow. He gets to take Kurt Cobain's place in Nirvana and STILL John beats him to the BoingBoing post! McCartney must feel he forever lives in John’s shadow. He gets to take Kurt Cobain’s place in Nirvana and STILL John beats him to the BoingBoing post!

]]> By: Boundegar http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605888 Boundegar Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605888 I thought she was kind of brilliant myself.  I want to see her as "featured" artist with those two Korean girls! I thought she was kind of brilliant myself.  I want to see her as “featured” artist with those two Korean girls!

]]> By: BunnyShank http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605864 BunnyShank Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605864  Yoko: I am a fan.  Yoko: I am a fan.

]]> By: aperturehead http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605848 aperturehead Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605848 Yoko could have writhed around in a bag of lizards and recited the Communist Manifesto in Klingon, but Mr Berry's main concern is always getting a check at the end of a show. This is classic American TV at its best! - incidentally, Yoko is one of the 20th Century's Top 100 most influential and special artists. Yoko could have writhed around in a bag of lizards and recited the Communist Manifesto in Klingon, but Mr Berry’s main concern is always getting a check at the end of a show. This is classic American TV at its best! – incidentally, Yoko is one of the 20th Century’s Top 100 most influential and special artists.

]]> By: timquinn http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605835 timquinn Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605835 oof, one thing is for sure. Yoko brings out the troglodytes in online discussions. I guess none of you are familiar with ANY IDEAS from 20th century art, or 19th century. Your fragile pop songs and tender performers egos will recover from a weird performance. Are you worried Chuck  Berry's DIGNITY will be hurt? Come on, the guy is a clown, too, as well as a great song writer and guitar player. Re-fucking-lax about your precious aesthetic sensibility, already. oof, one thing is for sure. Yoko brings out the troglodytes in online discussions. I guess none of you are familiar with ANY IDEAS from 20th century art, or 19th century. Your fragile pop songs and tender performers egos will recover from a weird performance. Are you worried Chuck  Berry’s DIGNITY will be hurt? Come on, the guy is a clown, too, as well as a great song writer and guitar player. Re-fucking-lax about your precious aesthetic sensibility, already.

]]> By: 10xor01 http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605831 10xor01 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605831 "Eew, she ruined the Plastic Ono Band!" “Eew, she ruined the Plastic Ono Band!”

]]> By: Mitchell Glaser http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605828 Mitchell Glaser Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605828 I beg to differ. What was Mr. Berry going to say? "Please leave her at home?" A certain Mr. McCartney also allowed his wife to tag along for similar reasons. Once, a recording of Linda's isolated vocals during a show surfaced and it was scarcely more musical than Yoko's snorkeling. Though to be fair, Linda could sing acceptably in a studio given unlimited retakes. I beg to differ. What was Mr. Berry going to say? “Please leave her at home?”

A certain Mr. McCartney also allowed his wife to tag along for similar reasons. Once, a recording of Linda’s isolated vocals during a show surfaced and it was scarcely more musical than Yoko’s snorkeling. Though to be fair, Linda could sing acceptably in a studio given unlimited retakes.

]]> By: Jamie Anderson http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605827 Jamie Anderson Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605827 Yeah, I thought she was super too. Yeah, I thought she was super too.

]]> By: Dave X http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605821 Dave X Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605821 On the other hand, this is a song that every one of these guys could play in their sleep. So, in a very weird way, it kinds makes sense to throw a monkey wrench into the gears, just to see what happens. It may be the video quality, but it looks to me like she's also purposely playing her drum on the off-beat. Hilarious! On the other hand, this is a song that every one of these guys could play in their sleep. So, in a very weird way, it kinds makes sense to throw a monkey wrench into the gears, just to see what happens. It may be the video quality, but it looks to me like she’s also purposely playing her drum on the off-beat. Hilarious!

]]> By: Pickleschlitz http://boingboing.net/2012/12/12/john-lennon-yoko-ono-and-chu.html#comment-1605816 Pickleschlitz Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=200114#comment-1605816 You can see him counting the bars in his head that he has to keep going with the chattering chipmunk behind him. She keeps trying to ruin the moment, but someone in the booth at the Mike Douglas Show had the good sense to turn off her mike. You can see him counting the bars in his head that he has to keep going with the chattering chipmunk behind him. She keeps trying to ruin the moment, but someone in the booth at the Mike Douglas Show had the good sense to turn off her mike.

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