SPILL FILM REVIEW: POWER TO THE PEOPLE: JOHN & YOKO/PLASTIC ONO BAND WITH ELEPHANT’S MEMORY AND SPECIAL GUESTS – LIVE AT THE ONE TO ONE CONCERT, NEW YORK CITY, 1972

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: JOHN & YOKO/PLASTIC ONO BAND WITH ELEPHANT’S MEMORY AND SPECIAL GUESTS – LIVE AT THE ONE TO ONE CONCERT, NEW YORK CITY, 1972

MERCURY STUDIOS/TRAFALGAR RELEASING

APRIL 29, 2026

Almost one year to the day of the release of the John Lennon and Yoko Ono documentary One to One, comes Power to The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC from director Simon Hilton. Although scenes from the concert were used in the documentary, this is a feature length film of the two concerts Lennon and Ono organized on August 30, 1972, to benefit children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These two shows were the only full-length concerts Lennon ever performed, and both shows are used to produce what looks like one concert. The shows were mini festivals, which also included special guests, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Melanie Safka and Sha Na Na. However, they are only seen joining Lennon and Ono for the rousing encore of “Give Peace A Chance” (Wonder is particularly fascinating to watch and hear).

This is not the first time fans have been able to see films of the concerts. In fact, in December 1972, ABC TV televised a heavily edited version of the concert, and later an expanded (though not complete) version was released on VHS in 1986. With One to One, comes Power to the People: John & Yoko Live in NYC. Director Simon Hilton has assembled the most complete version of the shows yet, including most of Yoko Ono’s songs that have been omitted from other released versions. The audio portion of the concerts were made available last year with the release of the box set Power to the People. In that box set both the afternoon and evening concerts were included (minus two songs).

Lennon was backed up by Elephant’s Memory (who had signed to Apple and can be heard on Lennon/Ono’s 1972 album Sometime in New York City). They do a great job of providing the grit and rock ‘n’ roll that Lennon looked for in his songs and performance. The setlist for both shows were very similar, so it was easy to use both shows for the film. Lennon only “goes back in the past just once” when he performs a powerful “Come Together” (“I almost got the lyrics right,” he jokes). While the show was a benefit concert, Lennon and Ono did use the show to promote their then current album Sometime in New York City. However, Lennon and Ono dip into the past, most notably for the explosive performances of “Cold Turkey,” and its B-side “Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking for a Hand in the Snow).” Both performances are breathtaking and leave one marveling at the power of these two artists.

Their between-song banter is left on for the show, which includes some real gems, such as when Lennon is introducing his song “Mother” (originally from 1970’s Plastic Ono Band album and a single in North America). “Many people thought it was about my parents,” he said. “But it is about all parents, alive or half dead, well the majority anyway.” It is the only time he performed it live and it is quite emotional to watch. Of course he includes his hits, “Instant Karma (We All Shine On)” and “Imagine,” but it is when we can see him perform a song such as “Well Well Well” that one sees the incredible presence he had on stage. The same with Ono, when she sings “Born in A Prison”, one can not argue at her artistry.

Hilton had excellent source material to assemble this film. The use of split screen is brilliant, and it is a feast for the eyes. It also takes people, like me, back to a time when concerts were very different from what they are now. Sean Lennon has reproduced the soundtrack (in 5.1 no less) and cleaned up the overall sound of the music. There has also been some remixing and editing, but it does not take away from the historical importance of the film/music. Lennon was the only solo Beatle to have never toured, and watching this film, really his only complete concerts, one realises just how much we were robbed to see such a talent on stage. He and Ono are true artists. They had messages they wanted to get out to their audience; while never losing sight of the fact it was a concert. They had a wonderful understanding of combining the two and the end result is seen in Power to The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC.

John Lennon Links

Yoko Ono Links