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According to Deadline, Sean Ono Lennon, the pair’s son, has overseen the audio remastering of the One to One concert, having fulfilled a similar role on various Lennon remasters in recent years. The benefit concert was played twice, with the afternoon show featuring more songs than the evening show. Among the songs played across both shows are ‘Power to the People’, ‘Instant Karma!’, and ‘Give Peace a Chance’. The remastering of the audio suggests that an accompanying album could be released alongside the documentary, possibly a remaster of ‘Live in New York City’, which was recorded at the concert.

  Magnolia Pictures co-CEOs Eamonn Bowles and Dori Begley saw the film as “a revelation,” while director Kevin Macdonald described the documentary as “a movie about music and love and politics and about immersing yourself in the year of 1972—a period in time that feels uncannily like the world we are currently inhabiting.”

The documentary focuses on Lennon and Yoko’s time living in Greenwich Village, which was the happening place on the US’s East Coast. It had become the centre of countercultural movements in the late 60s, and was the birthplace of Beat poetry. The pair were a natural fit for the artist’s haven, and were both involved in protesting through their bed-ins and their own form of  resistance, ‘bagism’.  

Given the period that will be covered, fans should be expecting the documentary to explore Lennon’s relationship with the Nixon administration. His outspoken criticism of the US president and anti-war stance landed him in various deportation meetings, and it was revealed after his death that he had been closely monitored by the FBI, with the files eventually being released to the public.

Today in Rock History December 20, 2006 The FBI release documents related to their investigation of John Lennon in the early ‘70s. The Nixon administration thought Lennon, an anti-war (Vietnam) advocate, was aiding left wing causes and therefore an undesirable alien.… pic.twitter.com/XWfxqx3jWy — Rock History Live! (@KTrain939913) December 20, 2023

The trailer, along with the earlier teaser, suggests candid moments between the couple will play a big role. It was the intimate, behind-the-scenes moments that made ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ and ‘Beatles ‘64’ as insightful as they were, and early reviews from the documentary suggest that viewers won’t be let down. 

 The reception to the film from its limited film festival last year was overwhelmingly positive, earning the film a Metacritic score of 82. Reviewing the film for The Guardian, Xan Brooks gave it four out of five stars and said, “If only more nostalgic music documentaries could muster such a fun, fierce, and full-blooded take on old, familiar material. One to One, against the odds, makes Lennon feel somehow vital again.”

The documentary will receive a theatrical run in the UK. It will be released on IMAX on 9 April, before expanding to smaller theatres on 11 April. The full list is available here, along with dates.

With its mix of unseen footage, remastered concert audio, and political intrigue, One to One: John and Yoko will appeal to fans of the ex-Beatle as much as those interested in the social and political history of the early 70s.

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The diagnosis was made by his dermatologist, Dr Tess Mauricio, during a routine check-up in Los Angeles. One of the patches was confirmed as melanoma, requiring urgent surgery. Instead of returning home after a busy tour in New York promoting his book, Life’s Fragile Moments, Lennon flew straight back to LA for the procedure.

“Fingers crossed for now,” Lennon wrote, expressing his hope for clear biopsy results, which he’s yet to receive. The operation, which involved removing large margins of tissue, was deemed a success. Lennon thanked his doctors for “once again, hopefully saving my life.”

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This isn’t the first time Lennon has faced a skin cancer scare. In 2020, he underwent surgery to remove a concerning abnormality on his scalp. That experience spurred him to advocate for regular dermatologist visits, urging his followers to “get checked twice a year if you can.”

Skin cancer is a particularly pressing issue for those with fair skin, like Lennon, due to the lack of melanin, which offers protection from UV rays. Studies have shown that individuals with white skin are significantly (up to 70 times in some studies) more likely to develop skin cancer than those with darker skin. According to Cancer Research UK, almost 9 in 10 of those diagnosed with skin cancer will live for a further ten years.

The announcement comes amid a series of high-profile cancer diagnoses in the music world. Patti Scialfa of the E Street Band and Roger O’Donnell of The Cure both revealed their own battles with cancer earlier this year. Elton John, who performed with Lennon’s father on the track ‘Whatever Gets You Thru The Night’, also shared his struggles with his own limited eyesight earlier this month.

Lennon’s openness with his fans and followers extends to his family relationships too. In a recent interview with Esquire, he spoke about his bond with his half-brother, Sean Ono Lennon. Dispelling tabloid rumours of feuds, he said, “We’ve never had a fight in our life,” though he acknowledged the challenges of living under the shadow of their father.

Now primarily focused on photography, Lennon has stepped back from the music spotlight, with his last major tour in 1999. However, his 2022 album, Jude, a nod to the Beatles’ song written for him, shows he hasn’t abandoned music entirely.

With hundreds of messages of support flooding in, including a heartfelt “Love you brother” from Sean, Lennon’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and prioritising health. Visit the NHS website to view the symptoms associated with skin cancer.