“Dragon-lady”. “Witch”. “The woman who broke up the Beatles”. These are some of the labels that have been commonly used to describe Yoko Ono, a pioneering musician, artist, and activist who can plausibly claim to be one of the most maligned and misunderstood figures in the history of popular culture.

On this edition of Archive On 4, marking her 90th birthday, you’ll hear Yoko Ono on her own terms, in her own words.

Host Jennifer Lucy Allan, a music writer and broadcaster specialising in experimental sound, also assembles a collection of Yoko's peers, friends, and admirers.

Art historian Reiko Tomii reveals how the deprivation and danger of wartime Japan formed Yoko’s artistic worldview.
Sound artist Tomoko Hojo explores how an audience becomes Yoko Ono’s co-collaborator.
Fluxus poet Nye Ffarrabas remembers baring her bottom for one of Yoko’s seminal works.
Rock star Peaches reflects on Yoko Ono’s infamy.
Music writer David Keenan asserts that Yoko is "the best Beatle".

Producer: Mae-Li Evans
Executive Producer: Jack Howson
Sound Mix: Mike Woolley

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4

BBC archive interviews featured:
Late Night Line-Up (BBC 2 - 1967)
Parkinson (BBC 1 - 1971)
Andy Peebles (BBC Radio 1 - 1980)
Face To Face (BBC TV - 1998)
Kaleidoscope (BBC Radio 4 - 1998)
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross (BBC 1 - 2003)
Desert Island Discs (BBC Radio 4 - 2007)
Andrew Marr Show (BBC 1 - 2007)
The First Time (BBC Radio 6 Music - 2016) Show less