Video: '1974 09 30 John Lennon Phone Interview with John Houghton promoting Walls And Bridges
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(Monday, September 30, 1974, afternoon EDT) — Four days after he released his fifth solo studio album Walls and Bridges, former Beatle John Lennon called today into WZMF-AM’s John Houghton in Milwaukee.

On musical influences, Lennon said: “I just play it by ear… I didn’t consciously think the music was the influences. If there’s a lot, I do it to whoever happens to be playing with me at the time.”

On being an ex-Beatle, he continued: “I was like shaking the dust off me… now I look back at it with fond memories.”

On artistic empathy, Lennon said: “I empathize with artists and the purity of them… but I’m not going to kill myself for it. I don’t care what the game is; I’m just not going to do that.”

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

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.