Video: 'John Lennon - Telephone Interview 1974 with CHUM FM DJ John Donabie'

(Thursday, September 26, 1974) — On the afternoon he released his fifth solo studio album Walls and Bridges, former Beatle John Lennon called at least five radio stations today in the U.S. and Canada.

Among the interviewers: CHUM-FM’s DJ John Donabie in Toronto, Canada, and KQRS-AM’s Alan Stone in Minneapolis.

He also telephoned WMMS in Cleveland, KTXQ in Dallas and WNBC in New York (where he spoke with Murray the K).

Crafted during the former Beatle’s 18-month separation from Yoko Ono, often referred to as his “Lost Weekend,” the album reflects a tumultuous period in Lennon’s life.

Video: 'KQRS AM Alan Stone Interviews John Lennon September 26, 1974'

Among the famous musicians who performed on the album were Elton John (piano and harmony vocals on “Whatever Gets You thru the Night,” Hammond organ and background vocals on “Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)” and Harry Nilsson (backing vocals on “Old Dirt Road”).

Walls and Bridges would soar to the top of the American charts, securing the number-one spot on both Billboard and Record World.

The album featured two notable singles, “Whatever Gets You thru the Night” and “#9 Dream.” The former marked a milestone in Lennon’s career, becoming his first and only solo number-one hit in the United States during his lifetime.

The album’s success was recognized with a gold certification in the U.S. and a silver certification in the UK.