Give Peace a Chance: John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-in for Peace

The current special exhibition at the Beatles Story, Albert Dock, Liverpool, is Give Peace a Chance: John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In For Peace. The British Beatles Fan Club's Donna Jackson attended and brings us this report.

In a serious of 29 photographs by Gerry Deiter and 13 other display boards, most of which include smaller images, we are presented with a visual record of the time in 1969 when John and Yoko spent a week in bed at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal in the cause of peace.

Entwined

The photographs reveal much about the week and offer a real insight into the feelings and emotions that ran rife during that incredible time. It seems that some of the initial enthusiasm was soon tempered; many of the photographs of John and Yoko hint at boredom.

The lack of privacy is clear, and also the physical toll of constant interviews; one image shows Yoko curled up asleep, which John continues to talk to reporters.

Ev'rybody's Talkin'

There are some cute images of Kyoko who apparently helped to keep everyone entertained during the week, and other images, including the one entitled "Give Feet a Chance," show that there was time for fun alongside the more serious message.

Give Feet A Chance

One thing I found particularly interesting in the photographs was the insight that they offered into John and Yoko's relationship at this time. The mutual love was apparent, and the image entitled "A Touching Moment" shows Yoko looking at John with real love and tenderness; something that I don't always find easy to see in pictures of John and Yoko.

The Way Of Life

However, the 'highlight' of the exhibition for me was not a photograph but a display board that summarised the room service orders for the week. Some of these seem to have caused some amusement; for example, the request for "Fried natural brown rice" had the additional comment "(served cold!)" [exclamation in original]. The beverage order was summarised as "lots of tea", but with "liqueurs for guests only." Most interesting and amusing though were the housekeeping notes after departure. It seems that John and Yoko were not the most tidy or co-operative of guests; apparently they had to be asked several times to vacate the suite on the day of their departure. I thought that the best comment, though, was this: "Dry cleaning staff refused to touch (for cleaning and pressing) two floppy hats." I wonder if they regret that decision now!

All-in-all, this is an interesting exhibition that gives a real insight into the Montreal Bed In for Peace, and also into the relationship between John and Yoko at this time. If you get the opportunity you should "Give Peace a Chance" a chance!

© 2010 British Beatles Fan Club