The concept of the PLASTIC ONO BAND fit in well with Yoko’s concept of conceptual art. The medium is flexible and so the band should also be flexible in both it’s membership and format. Technically anyone that participates is a member of the band. Towards the end of the Beatles, you get the distinct impression that several of the Beatles were looking to play with other musicians, to expand the horizons, so to speak.
However the pressure of the “expected” commercial success of the Beatles could inhibit that type of choice for the band. John suggests in the “Get Back” by Peter Jackson movie that they incorporate Billy Preston permanently into the band as the group seemed to come to life with his contributions and presence. Paul offhandedly scoffs at that notion suggesting they have trouble enough with satisfying the needs of 4 members never mind expanding the group adding the odds of even more disagreements among a larger membership.
A Thought to Ponder on the Plastic Ono Band:
Band decisions that are made are often trade-offs. To get something desired, decisions made about band direction often can mean giving up something else. The concept of having a band that consistently has the same members offers the elements of predictability of knowing where a song is going to go because of one’s familiarity with the other musicians in the group as a result. It could also offer having a tighter band musically because of that familiarity.
Conversely, a possible negative perception is boredom through that predictability and not being exposed to the talents, suggestions, and contributions of other great musicians. Witness the life that Billy Preston’s keyboard playing interjected into the performance of “Get Back.” Another factor is group dynamics as the Plastic Ono Band concept means that if you are comfortable with the members, you could possibly ask them to return for future recording sessions. If you had problems with one of the members, you would not ask them to return. That flexibility could be construed as both a positive or a negative depending on the people involved and their respective communication skills and talent levels.
Bad Chemistry or Rejected Proposal?
Band chemistry has a lot to do with whether a fixed-format band is preferred to a more flexible set-up. If you have numerous songwriters in a group, tensions could abound as the individual members could see their contributions as being subordinated depending on the group’s individual personalities. An interesting question to ponder would be is if the suggestion proposed by John at the Sept 1969 meeting of John George and Paul had been accepted would that have restored their dynamic or simply have bought some time for an inevitable split.
Here is another question to consider. If the Beatles had agreed to do occasional Beatle albums and solo albums, would they have saved their best material for the “Beatles” albums or would their egos have prompted them to save the best material for their own solo projects to “make a statement” to the others and the public at large?
For me as fan, it was always an interesting exercise to see what musicians John and Yoko were using for their projects. However I must admit, certain musicians because of their talents with their instruments were preferred over others. It was a fun exercise seeing the eventual lineups on the individual recordings.
The front cover of my copy of the July 5, 1969 issue of NME which featured John’s design of Yoko’s concept of flexibility in the perception of the make-up of their conceptual band. The flexible plastic containers with the tape machine, microphones and a phone directory indicated that virtually anyone could be a member of the band.
The Plastic Ono Band Newspaper Advert
The back cover of the Plastic Ono Band NME issue is presented below the “Rock Peace” mentions below. When John and Yoko formed their Plastic Ono Band, Billy Preston performed in the band not only on the Plastic Ono Band LP but he also played in the Christmas Lyceum Ballroom benefit show back in 1969. It is also rumored that it was at a jam session that Billy Preston played on during the recording of George’s “All Things Must Pass” album that John may have suggested to George that the jam session that was conducted that he heard should be released as a Plastic Ono Band recording called “Rock Peace.”
There is no formal substantiation for this story at this point but it is true that a song called “Rock Peace” had been considered or at least talked about. Tony Bramwell had even written a news report about the song in an August 1969 issue of the famous Beatles Monthly magazine which I have included below. Bramwell described the song as a long and heavy instrumental.
Here is a picture I took from my copy of the August 1969 issue of the Beatles Monthly news column where Bramwell mentions the Rock Peace track.
Here is an interesting bit of speculation about the Rock Peace track from the excellent Steve Hoffman Music Forum:
‘Something’ and ‘Rock Peace’ – A single degree of separation? | Steve Hoffman Music Forums
Interview with Lennon expert, Chip Madinger, where he discusses the unreleased Plastic Ono Band Song called Rock Peace and other fascinating subjects. “Things We Said Today” is one of the most informative and interesting podcasts on the net.
The answer to the ROCK PEACE mystery will be forthcoming in a book by Lennon scholar, CHIP MADINGER! YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THAT BOOK!!! The previously unknown Lennon information that Chip Madinger is able to dig up is simply profound!!!
The back cover of my copy of the Plastic Ono Band NME issue featuring a Billy Preston Apple recording promotional ad.
Are you the Plastic Ono Band? What did you think of the concept?
Buzz
