At first I saw Yoko Ono as a slightly nutty artist who had attached herself to a Beatle. I’ll admit that what initially drew me to her were her caterwauling shrieks on the song “Don’t Worry, Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For Her Hand In The Snow)”, the b-side to John Lennon’s “Cold Turkey” a song on many a jukebox in the early 70’s. Being the obnoxious teenage twerps that we were, nothing was more fun than to go to our favorite pizza place and harass the other diners with Yoko’s collection of shrieks and screams.
Then, a funny thing happened. I realized what Yoko was attempting had honesty, bravery, and commitment. Whether fighting for woman’s rights with “She Hits Back” and “Woman Power” or melding the avant garde with rock in “Mind Train” and “Why” or calling for peace and understanding with “We’re All Water” and “Starpeace.” A readjustment of my viewpoint was in order.
By the early 80’s artists Lene Lovich and the B-52’s with a nifty Ono impersonation on “Rock Lobster”, were showing a clear indication that they too were listening to Yoko. Coupled with tributes from Sonic Youth and Elvis Costello, something new was in the air. Yoko Ono was commanding respect on her own terms.
In April 2003, a remixed version of “Walking on Thin Ice” went to number one on the dance charts. She followed this with “Everyman…Everywoman…” which also topped the charts as did “No No No”, and “I’m Not Getting Enough.” February 2007 saw the release of “Yes, I’m a Witch,” a collection of remixes and covers by artists including The Flaming Lips, Cat Power, Antony, DJ Spooky, Porcupine Tree and Peaches. Another compilation “Open Your Box” followed in April of the same year.
An invitation to the 2009 Meltdown Festival in London saw the unveiling of the new Plastic Ono Band which features her son Sean as well as Cornelius and Yuka Honda. A new Plastic Ono Band collection “Between My Head And The Sky” is due for release in September of 2009.
On June 11th, 2009 Yoko was honored with the Mojo Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award. At the presentation, MOJO editor Phil Alexander commented:
“Yoko Ono helped change music as we know it, first by introducing avant-garde sensibilities to her husband and secondly, just as significantly, by continuing to push the boundaries of what was deemed the normal way after that. She is a huge influence on modern music and this award recognizes her inspirational qualities and ongoing questing.Yoko Ono is unique and we are thrilled to commemorate her lifetime on the front line.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Tags: alternative, music, Yoko Ono
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