Artist Yoko Ono presents the Lennon Ono Grant for Peace to Pyotr Verzilov and 4-year old Gera, husband and daughter of Nadia Tolokonnikova, one of the three imprisoned Pussy Riot members in New York. Pussy Riot is one the recipients of the 2012 Lennon Ono Grant For Peace, that also includes Lady Gaga and the late Christopher Hitchens. The awards will be given in Reykjavik, Iceland on Oct 9th 2012 - the birthday of John Lennon.
In 1974 John & Yoko briefly separated, John moving to L.A., Yoko staying in New York. During this period, John released two LPs, 'Walls & Bridges' and 'Rock and Roll'. Though it appeared at the time that Yoko was not doing anything, in reality she was touring her native Japan and recording this album, entitled Story. Pictured on the cover is an adorable photograph of a young Yoko. The album was shelved after her reconciliation with Lennon.
Turns out John Lennon was a prolific letter writer - who would have doubted it? Lennon penned letters to friends, family, newspapers, and fans alike - often times leaving his tiny, recognizable doodles in the margins. The collection of letters, with a introduction by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, is due out in October 2012 on Little Brown.