Video: 'John Lennon and Yoko Ono At CBC Weekend Intro // 20 December 1969'

(Saturday, December 20, 1969, 10:15-11:15 p.m. EST) — John Lennon of The Beatles and his wife, Yoko Ono, were interviewed live tonight at the CBC Studio in Toronto for CBC-TV’s news and current affairs show CBC Weekend.

Lennon introduced the show, hosted by Lloyd Robertson, as “Peace Weekend.” The other guest was Rabbi Abhraham Feinberg, who had previously sang in the chorus on Lennon’s recording of “Give Peace A Chance.”

Video: 'John Lennon selling peace in Canada CBC Weekend 1969'

The segment featuring Lennon began with legislator Russell Doern, via a linkup from Winnipeg, reading a letter from Manitoba’s premier asking whether Lennon and Ono would visit in the new year to promote peace.

Lennon described the offer as “beautiful” and said he would definitely visit for the province’s 100th anniversary year, although he never did.

Video: 'John & Yoko December 1969' (Dec. 20, 1969, at 35:56-37:43)

Lennon went on to explain why he chose Canada for this peace campaign. “I don’t want to be Mr and Mrs Dead Saint of 1970,” he said.

Rabbi Feinberg was asked if the campaign was a waste of effort, but said it was worthwhile as “it’s intended to leap over the politicians and reach the people.”

Earlier in the day, the Lennons were interviewed for CBS-TV by Canadian philosopher and academic Marshall McLuhan in his office at the department of culture and technology at the University of Toronto.

Video: 'John Lennon & Yoko Ono Interview with Marshall McLuhan part 1'

Lennon said each country had a different reaction to his peace campaigns, and said that the English failed to take him and Yoko Ono seriously. He felt in America their message was more accepted in New York than in the southern states.

Video: 'John Lennon & Yoko Ono Interview with Marshall McLuhan part 2'

Lennon and Ono then gave a Christmas wish of “peace on Earth.” Lennon explained further his hopes: “That implies no violence. No starving children. No violent minds, no violent households. No violence.”

The couple were then interviewed by CBS News reporter David Culhane.

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