Welcome to America: John Lennon and Yoko Ono with their friend, the host of The Dick Cavett Show, in September 1971. (Ann Limongello, Getty Images.)
Backstage at The Dick Cavett Show in September 1971. John considers a wardrobe choice while Cavett chats with Yoko. (Getty Images.)
John and Yoko perform at the December 1971 John Sinclair Freedom Rally in Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena, backed by musicians from David Peel’s Lower East Side. (Getty Images.)
New Left leader Rennie Davis joined John and Yoko at an informal February 1972 courthouse press conference responding to deportation orders. (Leni Sinclair.)
A commemorative poster was reprinted after the John Sinclair Freedom Rally concert at Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena. The names of surprise guests Stevie Wonder and hometown hero Bob Seger did not appear on the original 1971 poster.
John and the Elephants at the Record Plant while recording Some Time in New York City, 1972. (Mike Jahn.)
John counseled guitarist Wayne “Tex” Gabriel (left), while keyboardist Adam Ippolito stood ready at the Record Plant for early 1972 sessions for Some Time in New York City. (Mike Jahn.)
Bassist Gary Van Scyoc jams with John at the Record Plant while recording Some Time in New York City, 1972. (Mike Jahn.)
Rock royalty entertained the Mike Douglas Show audience in February 1972 as John and Yoko share stage time with Chuck Berry, a band that included Elephant’s Memory founder Stan Bronstein (left), and Yippie leader Jerry Rubin on bongos. (Corbis.)
Bandsmen noted the bond formed between John and guitarist Wayne “Tex” Gabriel, who spent “hours sitting cross-legged on the floor” during studio sessions. (Bob Gruen.)
John’s presence in New York attracted many famous guests to the studio, including an impromptu jam with Mick Jagger and Wayne “Tex” Gabriel. (Bob Gruen.)
John and Yoko rallied the masses during a February 1972 protest in front of the British Overseas Airways office in New York. The protest called for withdrawal of British troops from Ireland in the wake of the “Bloody Sunday” riots. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm.)
John and Yoko rallied the masses during a February 1972 protest in front of the British Overseas Airways office in New York. The protest called for withdrawal of British troops from Ireland in the wake of the “Bloody Sunday” riots. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm.)
Yoko flashing a peaceful wish while John answered reporters’ questions after a May 1972 Immigration and Naturalization Services hearing. (Corbis.)
Lennon’s “new band” as featured on the Some Time in New York City album in June 1972. From left: Gary Van Scyoc, John, Yoko, Wayne “Tex” Gabriel, Rick Frank, Adam Ippolito, and Stan Bronstein. (Bob Gruen.)
Gary Van Scyoc, Wayne “Tex” Gabriel, and Rick Frank keep pace with Lennon during August rehearsals for the One-to-One concert. (Bob Gruen.)
The May 1972 Dick Cavett Show appearance by John, Yoko, and Elephant’s Memory drew considerable attention from the network over the performance of “Woman is the Nigger of the World.” (Bob Gruen.)
One-to-One: John peforms “Mother” at Madison Square Garden in August 1972. (Corbis.)
Yoko takes a vocal turn at Madison Square Garden, backed by John and the Elephants. (Bob Gruen.)
Attorney Leon Wildes with John and Yoko in April 1973 for the declaration of “Nutopia,” of which the Lennons were ambassadors seeking diplomatic immunity. (Corbis.)
A short-haired John with Yoko during the Watergate hearings in June 1973. The Lennons were invited to watch the proceedings by Democratic Senator Sam Ervin. (Corbis.)
Ready for a show: For Lennon’s first—and only—full-length solo concert in August 1972, additional musicians joined the Plastic Ono Elephant’s Memory Band lineup to better fill the Madison Square Garden arena. From left: bassists John Ward and Gary Van Scyoc, Wayne “Tex” Gabriel, drummers Jim Keltner and Rick Frank, Adam Ippolito, and Stan Bronstein, along with Some Time in New York City album producer Phil Spector, reclining before John and Yoko. (Bob Gruen.)
Famous faces seen at the Record Plant included ballet master Rudolf Nureyev and reporter-friend Geraldo Rivera, who spearheaded the One-to-One concert at Madison Square Garden. (Bob Gruen.)
John displays his long-sought green card, issued in July 1976. (Bob Gruen.)