John Lennon's One to One Concerts: Power to the People Collection Announcement
John Lennon's social media platforms have been hinting at a special announcement set for Thursday, August 14, at 9 a.m. ET. The announcement will reveal details about a new release related to Lennon's iconic One to One concerts that took place on August 30, 1972, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. These concerts were the focus of the recent documentary "One to One: John & Yoko," which delves into the 18-month period the couple spent in New York City's Greenwich Village in 1971 and '72.
The documentary premiered in April, coinciding with the announcement of a box set titled "Power to the People" containing the audio recordings from the One to One concerts. The latest social media post includes a video promo and a message inviting fans to join the premiere of the film for "Come Together" on August 14. The video teaser features archival footage of Lennon and Ono promoting the sold-out benefit concert and announcing an additional matinee performance on the same day.
The One to One concerts were significant as they marked John Lennon's final full-length performances after leaving The Beatles. The events raised over $1.5 million for schoolchildren with disabilities. The upcoming release, produced by Sean Ono Lennon, will include 31 live tracks from the concerts in various audio formats. A deluxe box set will offer 92 bonus tracks, providing fans with a comprehensive collection of the historic performances.
Inspired by a TV exposé on the conditions of mentally handicapped children at the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, Lennon and Ono aimed to raise awareness and inspire young people to make a positive impact on the world. The concerts featured the Plastic Ono Band, Elephant's Memory, and special guests, delivering a memorable musical experience for the audience.
In April 2025, a limited-edition vinyl EP was released as a preview of the upcoming Power to the People collection, featuring live recordings of four songs from the One to One concerts. The EP included Lennon's hits like "Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)" and "Cold Turkey," along with Ono's "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for a Hand in the Snow)." Additionally, re-edited and remixed films of the One to One concerts are in the works for future release.
For more information on the Power to the People releases and the legacy of John Lennon's historic concerts, visit JohnLennon.com on August 14. Stay tuned for the full announcement and track listing of this highly anticipated collection.