Sean Lennon On Prodigy
On March 13, 1996, Yoko Ono was scheduled to appear on the Celebrity Spotlight Chat Room of the online service Prodigy. Unfortunately, Yoko was unable to make it due to soundcheck problems. However, the rarely interviewed Sean Lennon decided to substitute. Here are some excerpts from the chat.
Moderator (Speaker) Ladies and gentlemen...SEAN ONO LENNON!
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
I'm 20 years old now. I went to Columbia for less than a year. I'm on a temporary leave of abscence. Besides music, I do visual art and photography and would like to do more film production, but I don't really have the means for that right now. Moderator (Speaker)
Thanks for joining us tonight, Sean, and we're sorry your mom Yoko couldn't make it tonight. We look forward to chatting with her tomorrow night... So let's get to your questions!
Kramer 23 (PRODIGY Member)
Yoko, This is great having you online. What is your new album "Rising" about? I look forward to hearing it.
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Sean: I think it's all about Yoko refining her vocal technique further than before. I play guitar, keyboards and do backing vocals on the album.
Moderator (Speaker)
Incidentally, since a lot of the questions submitted earlier were for Yoko, we've asked Sean to answer them tonight...
Moderator (Speaker)
Yoko's new "Rising Mixes" album features remixes of songs from "Rising," by Ween, Beastie Boys, Tricky, Cibomatto and others.
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
About the mixes: Cibo Matto are two of my best friends. I met them through their "Talking to the Universe" mix. We've been hanging ever since. I've also become close with Adam Yauch and we all had a lot of fun with Mario at the board.
Kramer 23 (PRODIGY Member)
Can you talk about the time that you and John spent living in New York City? What are some of your favorite memories from that time?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Sean: That period of time was ingrained into my mind permanelty when my father died. I remember pretty clearly the ages of two to five. I remember living in Japan, going to Kindergarden in Toyko, living at the Dakota, ....a lot of my memories are interspersed with video and film images and its hard to discerence between the two.
Moderator (Speaker)
Yoko is accompanied on RISING by the band IMA, which features her son Sean Ono Lennon on guitar.
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
This is the fourth night of the tour. We opened in Washington DC, and also played New York and Chicago. Next stop is San Francisco. For more tour info, go to the Yoko Ono website at http://www.yoko.com
Beef Lips (PRODIGY Member)
What do you think John would say about cyberspace?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Sean: I can't speak for my father, and it seems pointless to speculate....however, I'm sure he would see the philosophical implications, but I'm sure he'd be threatened by the digital realm, and it's a generational thing. He never played video games.
Beef Lips (PRODIGY Member)
What was your immediate reaction about producing a Beatles song without John's consent?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Sean: I thought it was a little weird to do tracking over a deceased person's voice, Natalie Cole style. But when I heard it, like most people, I was filled with warmth because it was the Beatles.
ellyrigby (PRODIGY Member)
How is your mom's carreer going?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Sean: Better than ever. People are more open to her particular style of avant rock. Thanks to the grunge explosion.
Moderator (Speaker)
We are coming to you live from the Roxy dressing room right now,
as members of the band are rehearsing songs for tonight's sold
out show, which begins at 8 p.m.
Moderator (Speaker)
...Pacific Time, that is!
simon's wife (PRODIGY Member)
sean, have you and your band got a record contract yet?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
No.
LittleCaesar (PRODIGY Member)
Yoko and Sean. This is an honor. I just reading Ray Coleman's book about John and it was really terrific. I have a great respect for both of you. Are you still on good terms with Julian & Cynthia? Do you keep in contact with them?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Yeah. I love Julian. He is not only important to me because he's my brother, but because he showed me how the world might perceive my music career. Have we played music together? We haven't played music in public.
MaccaG (PRODIGYMember)
Sean...which kind of music influenced you the most in your life?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Everything from Beethoven to Beefhart.
Moderator (Speaker)
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker) By the way, I've never played with Perry Farrell before. Tonight he's our special guest, and it will be exciting.
MaccaG (PRODIGY Member)
Sean...was it true that you went to live in California with Elliot Mintz. If so, did you enjoy California and did you perform while there?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
No, I'm not living in California, but I love it here. How can you not like it here?
Moderator (Speaker)
Things are a bit hectic backstage here at the Roxy in L.A., so we're probably have to cut this chat a bit short. We have time for several more questions for Sean Ono Lennon...
DIGGERDAVE (PRODIGY Member)
Sean: Hi, I recently purchased a Rickenbacker 325. I was wondering if your dad had sold or auctioned his off. If not, do you use it at all or any of his old guitars. Do you have a preference if so????
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
No. They're too precious.
Gul Ducat (PRODIGY Member)
Sean...Im 14 yrs old and I love your fathers work.. Espacally "Imagine" What Is your favorite piece by your father?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
I don't have one.
simon's wife (PRODIGY Member)
youv'e got to be about college age by now,
would you be intersted in dating a college girl going to nyu (a
really cute blonde beach babe, my little 19 year old sis)?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
What's your blood type.
iluvtosing (PRODIGY Member)
how long has your mom been singing?
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker)
Beatles expert Mitch says....years before she met John.
Moderator (Speaker)
Besides influencing the art and music of her husband John Lennon, Yoko Ono has made an impact on a diverse array of musicians including John Cage, Ornette Coleman, the B-52s, Sonic Youth, and L7.
Lil Magil (PRODIGY Member)
I would like to thank Yoko for her contribution to the arts, and especially to her contribution to the Beatles Anthology, we are all richer for it.
Moderator (Speaker)
With the mythical Phoenix as her foil, Yoko uses the 13 tracks that comprise RISING to examine violence and oppression ("Kurushi," "I'm Dying," "Warzone"), women's struggles ("New York Woman," "Ask The Dragon") and loss ("Turned The Corner," "Goodbye My Love").
Moderator (Speaker)
Well, as I mentioned before, things are totally crazy back here. We're coming to you live from the Roxy in L.A., where Yoko will be making her first L.A. appearance in 10 years. Sean is just getting ready to leave us now...
Moderator (Speaker)
Sean Ono Lennon (Speaker) The gig's coming up soon and I have to get back to the sound check. Keep rocking in the free world!
Moderator (Speaker)
Good night, Sean, and thanks for spending a few minutes with us tonight.... we wish you the best of luck on your tour, and we look forward to chatting with Yoko tomorrow night.
Moderator (Speaker)
From the Roxy in L.A., this is Jefferson Graham saying thank you, and good night!