Today marks the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic death and this year marks what would have been his 70th birthday. As the world remembers the iconic musician and his entire solo album catalog is re-released, A&E presents the DVD premiere of LENNONYC, a singular documentary telling the definitive story of Lennon’s post Beatles’ career.

Release Date: December 7, 2010
Rating: N/A
Running Time: 115 Minutes

LENNONYC is the story of one of the most famous and influential artists of the Twentieth Century, and how he found redemption not in the public adoration he craved as a youth, but in the quiet and simple pleasures of fatherhood. And, though he wasn’t a typical immigrant, his story is certainly an immigrant’s tale. Lennon came to New York City in 1971, seeking what every other immigrant who has washed up on its shores has sought: freedom-the freedom to be himself and not ‘Beatle John,’ the freedom to love without the overwhelming public scorn he and Yoko had suffered in London, and, simply, the freedom to live a normal life.

LENNONYC tells this story with never before-released in-studio recordings, concert film only recently transferred to HD, and a trove of Lennon/Ono compositions-some in versions previously unheard. It also contains interviews with those closest to Lennon during this period in his life-friend and photographer, Bob Gruen; musical collaborator and drummer, Jim Keltner; May Pang, Lennon’s companion during his ‘lost weekend;’rock superstar, Elton John; and Jack Douglas, the producer of Double Fantasy. LENNONYC also contains one of the most powerful and emotionally direct interviews Yoko Ono has ever given. No film about John Lennon has ever covered this story with the same breadth and depth as LENNONYC.

Lennon NYC is an incredibly well produced documentary detailing Lennon’s life in New York City. This documentary includes fascinating audio from conversations in the recording studio, video from various concerts (including Ten for Two, One to One, and his surprise Madison Square Garden performance), interviews with Lennon, audio from Lennon’s DJ days in Los Angeles, photos of Lennon with Yoko Ono and friends, and most importantly, interviews from Yoko Ono and friends. This is an eye opening documentary for those not very familiar with Lennon’s four year struggle to received a green card because it shows just how driven Lennon was as a peace activist, which oddly enough seemed to have delayed the process of him getting his green card.

You might know about the FBI following those Lennon was close to, but you will find out to what extent straight from his friends. Having not grown up in this time, all I know is Beatles and Lennon music, not as much Beatles and Lennon history. So it was very interesting to find out how Yoko Ono briefly broke up with Lennon and the effect that it had on Lennon when he moved away to Los Angeles. Thankfully, he sobered up, moved back to New York, and everything seemed to line up with a happy ending. What was perhaps the most touching moment for me was listening to the audio of his son, Sean singing Beatles songs. Those moments are just so priceless and mean just as much now as it did back then and will years from now.

On a lighter note, I found it quite interesting to find out how listeners can tell which guitar Lennon is playing on Beatles’ albums. You’ll have to watch this documentary to find out. The film wraps up with Lennon’s death, mentioning that he got shot but not by whom or any other details of it. Instead, video of fans outside of his apartment is shown as Yoko Ono talks about being at the hospital and then just listening to his music and audio from recording sessions in the studio. The film wraps up in a way that won’t make viewers sad but rather happy that Lennon lived the best life that he could have lived and love literally kept him going. This was such an enjoyable documentary to watch and I’d highly recommend it for all Lennon fans to have in their collection.

Appearing in this Film:
Yoko Ono
Recording Engineer, Roy Cicala
Lead Guitar, Earl Slick
Drums, Andy Newmark
Radio Host, Dennis Elsas
Record Producer, Jack Douglas
Photographer, Bob Gruen
Film maker, Jonas Mekas
Bass Guitar, Gary Van Scyoc
Activist, Tom Hayden
Author, Jon Wiener
Activist, Rennie Davis
Keyboards, Adam Ippolito
Television Host, Dick Cavett
Attorney, Leon Wildes
Reporter, Geraldo Rivera
May Pang
Drums, Jim Keltner
Bass Guitar, Klaus Voorman
Publicist, Elliot Mintz
Rock Critic, RObert Hilburn
Elton John
Lead Guitar, Hugh McCracken
David Geffen

Own Lennon NYC on DVD today.