Video: 'John Lennon and Howard Cosell-Speaking of Everything 10-6-74'
(Sunday, October 6, 1974) — Former Beatle John Lennon’s interview with renowned sports broadcaster Howard Cosell, conducted at WABC studios in Manhattan (likely recorded the first week of October 1974), aired today on his weekly ABC radio series, Speaking of Everything.
Lennon, who had recently released his album Walls and Bridges, recorded in just six weeks at The Record Plant studio on West 44th Street in New York City, was ostensibly there to promote his latest work.
However, the conversation quickly shifted to more pressing matters when Cosell, known for his direct and probing style, asked Lennon about his ongoing struggles with the U.S. government’s efforts to deport him.
“How did it actually get started?” Cosell inquired, referring to the legal battles Lennon had been facing since moving to New York in the summer of 1971.
Lennon, who had embraced New York City’s vibrant cultural scene after leaving The Beatles, responded with characteristic candor. He recounted his move to the United States, settling initially at the St. Regis Hotel before finding a permanent home at The Dakota on the Upper West Side.
Despite the ongoing immigration case, Lennon remained energized by the artistic opportunities New York offered, leading to the creation of albums like Some Time in New York City in 1972.
Lennon, separated from his wife Yoko Ono, found himself in Cosell’s radio studio, in good spirits despite the legal pressures. “It’s a pleasure to be here,” Lennon told Cosell. “And it’s great to meet you after seeing you on TV so much.”
The interview, watched closely by ABC Sports head Roone Arledge and WABC program director Rick Sklar, highlighted the unlikely pairing of Lennon, the iconic musician, and Cosell, the acerbic, cigar-chomping broadcaster who had risen to fame through his unapologetically brash style.
Both men, in their own ways, embodied the “wonderful madness” of New York City — Lennon through his music and Cosell through his pioneering approach to sports broadcasting.
Cosell, who had become a magnetic figure during the counter-culture era of the 1960s, found a kindred spirit in Lennon, whose own life was a testament to the turbulent times. Their exchange was a reflection of the era’s complex intersection of culture, politics, and personal freedom.
