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CNN Live Today

Interview With Yoko Ono

Aired October 24, 2003 - 10:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The late John Lennon once observed that his wife, Yoko Ono, was one of the most well-known people in the world. "Everyone knows who she is," he said, "but nobody knows exactly what she does."
Well that's not completely true. She has always had a cult-like following. And a new CD of her music could put her in front of a much wider audience not to mention a younger audience. Yoko Ono is with us this morning. She is in New York to talk about the latest chapter in her career and life. Yoko, good morning, a pleasure to have you here with us.

YOKO ONO, ENTERTAINER: Good morning.

KAGAN: What I am finding out about everything you're doing I think you're redefining turning 70. I think 70 is the new 30 when it comes to you.

ONO: Yes, I think so. Yes. I'm starting over.

KAGAN: It's a continual evolution for you. Let's talk about a first for you. At age 70 finally getting a No. 1 hit. We're talking about "Walking on Thin Ice" as of this summer numb one on Billboard's Club Play charts.

ONO: I know it's great. I just feel wow about it.

KAGAN: Your fan will know that "Walking on Thin Ice" actually goes back to '80 and '81. This is when you recorded it but back then it didn't crack the top 40?

ONO: Yes, I know. It was good. But this time it is really No. 1.

KAGAN: Really No. 1. So is this just the world catching up with Yoko?

ONO: I think so, yes.

KAGAN: Why do you think the world is ready for you now?

ONO: Well, I think it's a wiser age.

KAGAN: It's also seems to be a time where people seem to be accepting and even celebrating a lot of your talent and your art, whereas for a long time been a controversial figure in the world of pop art and music. ONO: Well, I think, you know, the kind of stuff that I was doing was too funky for that time and now I think it's just the right time.

KAGAN: Those that are close to you and that have loved you have known for a long time have appreciated your art and your talent. Your husband certainly did. And he even predicted this particular song, "Walking on Thin Ice," of course, he was thinking back in '80, '81, this was going to be the song that made people appreciate you.

ONO: I know he said, It's going to be your first No.1.

KAGAN: And it was, it took a little time.

Let's talk about the Broadway show you agreed to do based on John Lennon's work.

ONO: It's going to be great. It's a musical of John Lennon's life. And the kind of plan they have is really very, very interesting. It's a very exciting production. And I'm waiting to see it.

KAGAN: What is it going to be and when will people be able to see it on Broadway?

ONO: Maybe next year. Or sometime next year.

KAGAN: I'm sure over the years you have been approached with a number of offers and ideas of projects based on John's life. Why was now the right time to do a Broadway show?

ONO: These two guys, Edgar Lansbury and Don Scardino, they have an incredible past record that's very good, good credits, et cetera. And then they came up with a very good idea. And I said, Well, this is great. So I really trust them.

KAGAN: So it works, so it's the time, so you're going forward.

Also want to ask you about your performance art. Again, this is something you are way ahead, decades ahead before many people heard of performance art. You were doing something called "cut art"...

ONO: Cut piece.

KAGAN: Yes. And you did that again just recently in Paris, I understand.

ONO: Yes, in Paris.

KAGAN: What was that about? Why do you sit on stage and have people cut your clothes off, Yoko?

ONO: Because I did it for world peace. I think that this is an age when people are so scared of each other, there's a lot of fear around. And I thought, no, let's just be open to each other and trust each other. So I didn't even have a security guard there.

KAGAN: So those were strangers that were allowed to come up and cut your clothes off?

ONO: Just came up and it was very good.

KAGAN: OK.

And then finally I have to ask you about turning 70. So many women, especially freak out about getting older. What would you say to women out there, does it get better?

ONO: Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. It's really going to be great. Depending on how you look at it, you know, how you deal with it. But in my case, luckily, I feel that this is starting over in my life and it's great.

KAGAN: Well, thank you for stopping by and sharing yet another new beginning with us. Appreciate it and good luck with the CD and the Broadway show next year. Thanks so much. Yoko Ono joining us from New York City.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 24, 2003 - 10:49   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The late John Lennon once observed that his wife, Yoko Ono, was one of the most well-known people in the world. "Everyone knows who she is," he said, "but nobody knows exactly what she does."
Well that's not completely true. She has always had a cult-like following. And a new CD of her music could put her in front of a much wider audience not to mention a younger audience. Yoko Ono is with us this morning. She is in New York to talk about the latest chapter in her career and life. Yoko, good morning, a pleasure to have you here with us.

YOKO ONO, ENTERTAINER: Good morning.

KAGAN: What I am finding out about everything you're doing I think you're redefining turning 70. I think 70 is the new 30 when it comes to you.

ONO: Yes, I think so. Yes. I'm starting over.

KAGAN: It's a continual evolution for you. Let's talk about a first for you. At age 70 finally getting a No. 1 hit. We're talking about "Walking on Thin Ice" as of this summer numb one on Billboard's Club Play charts.

ONO: I know it's great. I just feel wow about it.

KAGAN: Your fan will know that "Walking on Thin Ice" actually goes back to '80 and '81. This is when you recorded it but back then it didn't crack the top 40?

ONO: Yes, I know. It was good. But this time it is really No. 1.

KAGAN: Really No. 1. So is this just the world catching up with Yoko?

ONO: I think so, yes.

KAGAN: Why do you think the world is ready for you now?

ONO: Well, I think it's a wiser age.

KAGAN: It's also seems to be a time where people seem to be accepting and even celebrating a lot of your talent and your art, whereas for a long time been a controversial figure in the world of pop art and music. ONO: Well, I think, you know, the kind of stuff that I was doing was too funky for that time and now I think it's just the right time.

KAGAN: Those that are close to you and that have loved you have known for a long time have appreciated your art and your talent. Your husband certainly did. And he even predicted this particular song, "Walking on Thin Ice," of course, he was thinking back in '80, '81, this was going to be the song that made people appreciate you.

ONO: I know he said, It's going to be your first No.1.

KAGAN: And it was, it took a little time.

Let's talk about the Broadway show you agreed to do based on John Lennon's work.

ONO: It's going to be great. It's a musical of John Lennon's life. And the kind of plan they have is really very, very interesting. It's a very exciting production. And I'm waiting to see it.

KAGAN: What is it going to be and when will people be able to see it on Broadway?

ONO: Maybe next year. Or sometime next year.

KAGAN: I'm sure over the years you have been approached with a number of offers and ideas of projects based on John's life. Why was now the right time to do a Broadway show?

ONO: These two guys, Edgar Lansbury and Don Scardino, they have an incredible past record that's very good, good credits, et cetera. And then they came up with a very good idea. And I said, Well, this is great. So I really trust them.

KAGAN: So it works, so it's the time, so you're going forward.

Also want to ask you about your performance art. Again, this is something you are way ahead, decades ahead before many people heard of performance art. You were doing something called "cut art"...

ONO: Cut piece.

KAGAN: Yes. And you did that again just recently in Paris, I understand.

ONO: Yes, in Paris.

KAGAN: What was that about? Why do you sit on stage and have people cut your clothes off, Yoko?

ONO: Because I did it for world peace. I think that this is an age when people are so scared of each other, there's a lot of fear around. And I thought, no, let's just be open to each other and trust each other. So I didn't even have a security guard there.

KAGAN: So those were strangers that were allowed to come up and cut your clothes off?

ONO: Just came up and it was very good.

KAGAN: OK.

And then finally I have to ask you about turning 70. So many women, especially freak out about getting older. What would you say to women out there, does it get better?

ONO: Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. It's really going to be great. Depending on how you look at it, you know, how you deal with it. But in my case, luckily, I feel that this is starting over in my life and it's great.

KAGAN: Well, thank you for stopping by and sharing yet another new beginning with us. Appreciate it and good luck with the CD and the Broadway show next year. Thanks so much. Yoko Ono joining us from New York City.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com