Glass Onion: On John Lennon

Bonus Episode #15- Antony interviewed by James Jarman in 2016

Glass Onion: On John Lennon

Show Notes

For our latest bonus episode, we offer a diversion and a trip back to the past as your humble host is interviewed about his and other people's music by a friend in Madrid in 2016. Topics touched upon include songwriting, creativity, performance, recording and (no surprise) The Beatles and John Lennon. Preceding the interview are Antony's thoughts after a reread of the Ray Coleman revised and updated 'Lennon' biography. The next regular episode will be out at the start of November Enjoy!

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Twitter handle https://www.twitter.com/OnionLennon

Antony's website (music, podcasts, blog, life coaching) https://www.antonyrotunno.com

Antony's 'Life And Life Only' podcast (on Psychology and Alternative media) https://www.lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com

episode links James Jarman in action with the Gines in 2015 TTFN- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nkbYIWzLdc iAddict- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqqlttrSp_Y

Antony interviews James in Madrid in 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCHg7BOc34&list=PLJHwepa7LNQ2oXU3H7zDFwmW4iUsXHc_h&index=1

Creativity, Communal Experience & Mental Health ('Life And Life Only' episode 19 - relevant part starts at 10.30) https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/e/episode-19-life-coaching-creativity-communal-experience-mental-health/

'Lennon: The Definitive Biography' by Ray Coleman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52247.Lennon

John & Yoko: A Love Story (1985 TV film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u_FUvmmrPg&list=PLxzkNx9uq6gjgbNne6prJSQNH6YcC0xmr

Imagine: John Lennon (1988 documentary) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095360/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

More from Glass Onion: On John Lennon

Oct 21, 2026

The podcast finally makes its (not-quite) comeback with a welcome returning guest, Dave Thurmaier of 'I've Got A Beatles Podcast'. Dave & Antony's main topic is the appearance of John Lennon and George Harrison for 2 shows in September/October 1967 on the Frost Programme, hosted by genial host David Frost, to discuss their then-current 'new thing', namely Transcendental Meditation.

Feb 17, 2026

To celebrate the recently-passed 7th anniversary of the first episode of Glass Onion way back when, we welcome Matt Williamson of the 'Pop Goes The 60s' you tube channel to discuss an intriguing and entertaining documentary from 2004. From the long-running UK arts and culture programme 'The South Bank Show', which had earlier brought us 'The Making of Sgt Pepper', comes an exploration of John Lennon's influences and musical loves by way of the portable jukebox he apparently brought on tour with him in 1965 and 1966, having loaded it with 40 of his favourite choons. Matt and Antony also touch on the argument and fine line between inspiration and plagiarism, and the differences between 'black' and 'white' voices and music, both of which the documentary explores in a fairly gentle way. We also assess how John's own music stacks up against some of his idols, a lot of whose songs he covered

Dec 15, 2025

And so we bring to an end Glass Onion's 7th year… John Lennon's 1975 is mostly remembered for being the year that he became a father for the second time and dropped out of the music biz for 5 years, apparently to become the most famous househusband in the world (the jury's still out on that one). Before he did that though, he front-loaded the year with the usual frenetic activity you'd expect from a year in the life of our hero. There were albums and singles of his own, musical collaborations with others, his final ever live appearance, interviews for TV, radio and print, lots of written letters to friends and family, some Beatle contact, a public appearance here and there, lawsuits and his ongoing fight with America's powers that (probably shouldn't) be. Oh, and he also found time for a sudden change in his lovelife, his past lover quickly consigned to (Lennon) history. Best wishes for the season Enjoy!

Nov 19, 2025

For our final offerings of the year, we present a 2-part look at 1975, the year of Antony's birth. As is traditional, we first cover the year itself in terms of world events, births & deaths, films and (non-Lennon) music, before turning to the John Lennon events of the year.

Oct 23, 2025

David 'Ghosty' Wills is back once more to look at another biopic that's not really very good (we'll do something classic next time, I promise!), though our levels of (non-)appreciation of 2010's 'Lennon Naked' differ slightly Christoper Eccleston gives something of a powerhouse performance as a very brutal and cutting version of John Lennon, starting in 1964 but mostly focusing on the 1967-71 period. All the main events of that time in John's life are covered here, with a soap-opera style reminiscent of the previously reviewed 'John & Yoko: A Love Story'. Antony and Ghosty also discuss biopics in general, and the difficulty in capturing charismatic figures and writing dialogue worthy of them There'll be another Glass Onion 2-parter to round off 2025, the first part due to come out in November Enjoy!

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