John and Yoko’s “Bed-In”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-in , which was in Montréal, Quebec, Canada from May 26 to June 2, 1969. It took place at The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel and became legendary for its (at the time) unusual message of peace.
Now, to honor the event, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Yoko Ono, will have an exhibition called IMAGINE: JOHN & YOKO’s PACIFIST ANTHEM which will run from April 2 to June 21, 2009. Oh … and it’s free to the public.
It’ll follow the artistic and musical dialog that occurred then by and between Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko.
The bed-in instantly (and obviously!) got worldwide media attention; they spoke to over 150 journalists each day, and (in the US alone) 350 radio stations carried reports on the happening, which was meant for everyone around the world already protesting against the war in Vietnam.
The highlight of this unique event was Lennon’s composition of Give Peace A Chance on June 1st. He wrote the song on the spur of the moment and made the suite into a recording studio under the direction of André Perry. Some 50 people contributed to the recording of the song, which was immediately broadcast worldwide. Celebrities included Tommy Smothers, Dr Timothy Leary and Petula Clark.
According to the ticker: Through the presentation of various documents, works of arts, records, sound reels and photographs, the exhibition will raise awareness of the historical and political context of 1969 which formed the backdrop to the Bed-In and will revive the thinking John Lennon and Yoko Ono and their urgent message for peace.
WHERE TO STAY
To mark the 40th anniversary The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel invites guests to relive the legend and experience their own bed-in through the IMAGINE PACKAGE.
The package includes one night accommodation; One CD featuring Give Peace a Chance; breakfast in bed for two or buffet breakfast in Le Montréalais restaurant and a copy of the lyrics of Give Peace a Chance. This package is available from March 1 to June 21, 2009, subject to availability. Rates start from $199 per night, based on double occupancy, in a Fairmont room,
Or (now get this:) for $599 per night, based on double occupancy, you can stay in the actual John Lennon and Yoko Ono Suite (#1742) where the bed-in took place.
For more information visit: The Faimont Hotel.
To make a reservation in the Lennon Suite, please call the hotel directly at 514-861-3511.
So, right now, I’m gonna Give Sleep A Chance for about 360 minutes … but stay tuned: I’ll have more coming up in about 24! Until then …
see ya on the flip side!
February 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
FYI Petula Clark did stop in to visit, but was not present at the recording. I am the author of Give Peace A Chance: John and Yoko’s Bed-In for Peace which features 80 photographs, many never seen before taken by Life photographer Gerry Deiter. Published by John Wiley and Sons, it will be released in the US in May.