Main content

Kirsty Young's castaway is artist Yoko Ono.

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Yoko Ono. She was already an avant-garde artist in her own right when, in 1968, she started dating one of the most famous men in the world, John Lennon. Then, depending on who you listen to, she either stole him from the nation or helped him to focus on what was important to them both.

Now, more than 25 years after John's murder, she discusses how it felt to be so reviled in the press, looks back on their life together and recalls the night of his death. In a remarkably frank interview, she reveals how she still speaks to him - and he still communicates with her.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Beautiful Boy by John Lennon
Book: Sai-Yu-Ki
Luxury: My life for the next thirty years.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Jun 2007 09:00

Music Played

  • Édith Piaf

    Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

    • Edith Piaf: Legends of the 20th Century.
    • EMI.
  • Lale Andersen

    Lilli Marlene

    • Lili Marleen.
    • Bear Family.
  • Dominic Behan

    Liverpool Lou

    • The Rocky Road to Dublin: The Best of Irish Folk.
    • Castle.
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers

    One Love / People Get Ready

    • Legend.
    • Tuff Gong.
  • Gracie Fields

    When I Grow Too Old To Dream

    • The Best of Gracie Fields.
    • Decca.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • John Lennon

      Beautiful Boy

      • The John Lennon Collection.
      • Parlophone.
  • Sean Lennon

    Magic

  • amiina

    Seoul

    • Kurr.
    • Ever Records.
  • Book Choice

    • Sai-Yu-Ki (Monkey: Journey to the West) - Wu Cheng'en

  • Luxury Choice

    • My life for the next thirty years

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Yoko Ono

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Jun 2007 11:15
  • Fri 15 Jun 2007 09:00

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast