Described by Yoko Ono as “ahead of its time,” Mind Games is a breakthrough album from John Lennon in which he employs a Plastic Ono Band comprising the cream of the crop of New York session musicians—a fan favorite that remains a cult classic ever since its first release on October 29, 1973. This insightful and beautiful book presents handwritten lyrics, letters, artworks by Lennon and Ono, and previously unseen photography alongside their firsthand commentary about the lyrics, songs, and album artwork, as well as contributions from the musicians, friends, engineers, and key figures involved in the making of this landmark album.
Mind Games was the product of an exceptionally turbulent time for the Lennons. While Nixon and Hoover were attempting to have Lennon deported, John and Yoko endured endless litigations and as the popular press turned on them once again, they bravely rose above it all, continuing their campaigns for non-violent peaceful protest to end the war in Vietnam and for equal rights for women. It was also an exciting time when they both re-embraced mysticism and magical thinking. In this sumptuous volume, text and images from the key players are woven together to reveal not only the details behind the creation, recording, and release of this groundbreaking commercial and skillfully crafted recording, but also to shed new light on a period of transformation and experimentation for Lennon and Ono.
Publication will coincide with extensive publicity surrounding the release of a completely remixed and reissued 6 x CD / 2 x BluRay digital edition of Mind Games, together with two deluxe Mind Games boxsets, bringing the album to a new generation of listeners.
Reviews
Lavishly illustrated… The most interesting aspect of the book to students of Lennon's music is undoubtedly the inclusion of lyrics from his songs of the era, usually accompanied on facing pages by the former Beatle's handwritten drafts, with guitar chords indicated and his comments on the song's inspiration… A detailed look at an important chapter in the life of one of the iconic artists of the late 20th century.
— Kirkus Reviews
A sumptuous coffee-table book … It's also a very important work of reference for Lennon and Beatles scholars given the depth and fulsomeness of the information. The level of detail reaches an encyclopedic, historical, journalistic and you-are-there documentary diary level.
— The Vinyl District
Contributors
John Lennon
Author
John Lennon (1940–1980) was an English singer, songwriter, and peace activist who cofounded the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. To date, his solo releases have generated equivalent album sales of over seventy-four million.
Yoko Ono
Author
Yoko Ono is a globally renowned multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and activist. She married John Lennon in 1969 and became his creative partner and muse. She continues to work to preserve his legacy, funding, among other projects, Strawberry Fields in Manhattan’s Central Park, the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER in Iceland, and the “Imagine There’s No Hunger” campaign.