Lennon's Last Weekend Episode 1

"Lennon's Last Weekend" explores the final days of John Lennon’s life, delving into the intimate moments, personal struggles, and creative tensions that shaped the legendary musician’s last weekend before his tragic assassination, offering anunprecedented glimpse into the man behind the icon.

EPISODE 1 DESCRIPTION: In this premiere episode, DJ Andy Peebles begins his powerful recollection of a career-defining moment — his legendary interview with John Lennon, conducted just 48 hours before Lennon’s tragic murder in New York on December 8, 1980. Peebles reflects on his first encounter with Yoko Ono the day prior, the nervous anticipation leading up to the interview, and the profound experience of sitting down with his favourite Beatle for what would become their final conversation. 

SERIES DESCRIPTION: In December 1980, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono were living in New York’s iconic Dakota building. After five years of media silence, the couple had just completed their latest album, Double Fantasy—a project that would become Lennon’s final work. In a rare moment of openness, Lennon agreed to a landmark interview with BBC Radio 1’s Andy Peebles.This five-part documentary, narrated by Peebles himself, revisits that extraordinary encounter. With deep personal reflection, he sets the interview in historical context, describing not just a pivotal moment in his own career, but one of profound cultural significance—an intimate conversation with the man whose music touched millions and whose sudden death would soon shake the world.Over the course of more than three hours, Lennon spoke with remarkable candour, addressing subjects he had long avoided: the painful breakup of The Beatles, his complicated friendship with Paul McCartney, his battles with alcohol and drug addiction, politics on both sides of the Atlantic, his family, and his deep-rooted homesickness for Liverpool.The result is a compelling and emotional portrait—one that strips away the myth to reveal the man beneath. A proudly working-class Liverpudlian, Lennon reminisced with misty eyes about Saturday morning matinees, spoke of his love for Fawlty Towers and The Goon Show, and passionately defended the BBC in a rant that now feels eerily prescient in the face of Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government.At the time, no one could have known that this would be John Lennon’s final in-depth interview—his last chance to speak so freely and vulnerably to the world.Few cultural figures have captured the public imagination in their final moments as powerfully as Lennon. This documentary stands as both a historical document and a heartfelt tribute to one of the most influential artists of all time—a reminder of the restless spirit, the wry humour, and the enduring humanity behind the legend.

Other contributors include producer and broadcaster Malcolm Gerrie, broadcaster and DJ Paul Gambaccini, author Hunter Davies and guitarist Earl Slick.  Presented by Neil McCormick, Produced by Scott Millaney, Written, Directed & Edited by Brian Grant. An Initial Content Production. Copyright 2025.  See more information here:    www.initialcontent.co.uk