An Australian journalist named Ritchie Yorke, who made the decision to establish roots in Canada, and a photographer named Gerry Deiter were to play important roles in the lives of John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the end of the 60s. Ritchie Yorke became heavily involved in the Lennon’s War is Over campaign. He was also involved in creating the circumstances for John and Yoko to perform live in Canada in 1969 at Varsity Stadium and many other John and Yoko Canadian activities. Gerry Deiter was a photographer who was present at all 8 eight days of the Lennon’s famous Bed-In in Canada and took a multitude of photographs that remained unpublished for many years. Gerry’s book is presented later in the post. Both of these gentlemen are no longer with us, and the purpose of this blog post is to help keep their memory alive:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON RITCHIE YORKE & GERRY DEITER:
Ritchie York – Christ You Know It Ain’t Easy
PILLOW TALK: John and Yoko’s BED-IN-FOR-PEACE, with Joan Athey and Minnie York
Gerry Deiter – Biography | Stephen Bulger Gallery
Gerry Deiter, 71 – The Globe and Mail
RITCHIE YORKE’S BOOK ABOUT JOHN AND YOKO’S ACTIVITIES IN CANADA:
Christ You Know it Ain’t Easy: John and Yoko’s Battle for Peace Paperback – 6 Oct. 2015
by Ritchie Yorke (Author)
AMAZON US:
AMAZON UK:
AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:
Australian author and journalist Ritchie Yorke is back in Toronto after many years absence to launch his first-person account of John and Yoko’s Canadian Peace Campaign of 1969 and 1970. The Montreal Bed In. The Toronto Varsity Rock Concert. John and Pierre. Traveling the World for Peace. This is the real story, the real truth. Yorke, Canada’s first counterculture journalist, is in Toronto to overseeing the publication of CHRIST YOU KNOW IT AIN’T EASY: JOHN AND YOKO’S BATTLE FOR PEACE. The eBook will be published on October 9, which would have been John Lennon’s 75th birthday.
Yorke produced his book with the assistance and co-operation of Yoko Ono who has written the foreword. “I assisted in bringing the Lennons back to Canada in December 1969 to unveil their historic War Is Over If You Want It peace campaign, and to meet with communications prophet Marshall McLuhan and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.” writes the Australian journalist. “During John and Yoko’s Canadian stay, I was given an ultimatum by my employer. I was instructed to either quit my Globe and Mail columnist job to join the War Is Over If You Want It peace campaign or get back to toiling at the Globe. Some choice!”
The editor told him that he couldn’t work for John Lennon and the Globe at the same time and that he had to make a choice between them. It took him about a sixth of a second to decide! In the early 1970s Yorke found himself stuck in the middle of a world in change. He was passionately caught up in the Peace cause. He travelled around the planet selling the gospel of peace on the Lennons’ behalf (he and travel buddy, rockabilly legend Rompin’ Ronnie Hawkins thundered through 15 countries and 52,000 miles in five weeks). They were all over the front pages of Hong Kong tabloids – seizing headlines when he and the Hawk risked their lives illegally crossing into Red China to present the War Is Over message to the Communist Chinese at Lok-ma-Chau.
Back Cover of the book:
A DIFFICULT RITCHIE YORKE ARTICLE TO FIND ABOUT THE BEATLES BREAKUP: JAZZ AND POP MAGAGINE-THE JULY 1970 ISSUE
Ritchie Yorke’s fascinating take on the reasons the Beatles broke up. A wonderful piece that stimulates a lot of thought about the subject. See if you agree with Ritchie’s often controversial assessments! This issue of the magazine is also well-sought after and is very difficult to find. Can often be found on eBay!
I have seen this issue go as high as $200 on eBay. I was very fortunate as I was able to find a copy for $20. Additionally, it was in excellent shape!
ONE OF RITCHIE YORKE’S FIRST PROFESSIONAL PIECES ABOUT ROCK FROM THE 60s:
Ritchie Yorke wrote frequently about the Beatles. here is one of his first professional pieces. This magazine is often difficult to find at a reasonable price. This magazine can occasionally be found on eBay!
A BOOK BY RITCHIE YORKE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
History of Rock and Roll Paperback – December 1, 1977
by Ritchie Yorke (Author)
AMAZON US:
History of Rock and Roll: Yorke, Ritchie: 9780458918508: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll: Amazon.co.uk: Yorke, Ritchie: 9780846701866: Books
- Methuen Drama-Publisher
- Publication date December 1, 1977
The back cover of the book:
My autographed copy of Ritchie Yorke’s History of Rock: I obtained this signed copy on Abe Books!
THE DVD THAT DETAILED HOW THE 1969 CONCERT CAME TO BE:
A relatively recent dvd release of the story of the Toronto Rock n Roll Revival concert where John and Yoko made an appearance and recorded the Apple album of Live Peace in Toronto!
Amazon.com: Revival 69: The Concert That Rocked the World [DVD] : John Lennon: Movies & TV
THE GERRY DEITER BOOK OF JOHN & YOKO’S BED-IN PHOTOS:
The photos remained unpublished until more than 30 years had passed since the actual event:
Give Peace a Chance: John and Yoko’s Bed-in for Peace Hardcover – 1 April 2009
by Paul McGrath (Editor), Gerry Deiter (Cinematographer), Joan Athey (Compiler)
- Publisher-Wiley
- Publication date March 30, 2009
- AMAZON US:
AMAZON UK:
Photographs by Gerry Deiter
Compiled by Joan Athey
edited by Paul McGrath
Hope you enjoyed this brief expose’ concerning two talented people that were part of the history and cultural legacy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono!
Be Healthy and Be Happy!
Buzz
