You know that feeling when you discover buried treasure? That’s exactly what John Lennon fans experienced when a previously unseen John Lennon live performance video of “Instant Karma!” from 1972 surfaced to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the legendary One to One Concerts at Madison Square Garden. This isn’t just any random concert footage – this is a piece of rock history that captures one of the greatest classic rock artists at the peak of his post-Beatles activism.
Released on August 30th at exactly 2 p.m. EDT, matching the original afternoon performance time, this newly uncovered footage offers fans an intimate glimpse into what would become Lennon’s only full-length concerts after leaving The Beatles. But why is everyone talking about this particular John Lennon live performance, and what makes it so special?
The Historic Context Behind This Groundbreaking Live Performance
Picture this: It’s 1972, and the Vietnam War protests are reaching fever pitch. John Lennon and Yoko Ono have just settled into their tiny Greenwich Village apartment, watching massive amounts of American television and soaking up the political turmoil around them. When investigative journalist Geraldo Rivera exposed the horrific conditions at Staten Island’s Willowbrook State School, Lennon knew he had to act.
This wasn’t just another concert – it was activism in action. The One to One benefit concerts raised over $1.5 million (that’s $11.5 million in today’s money) for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With 40,000 people attending both the afternoon and evening shows, these performances represented Lennon’s most significant statement as a solo artist.
The newly revealed “Instant Karma!” performance showcases Lennon backed by the Plastic Ono Band and Elephant’s Memory, delivering the kind of raw energy that made him a force in classic rock. You can practically feel the electricity in the room as he belts out those iconic lyrics with Yoko by his side.
Why This John Lennon Live Performance Matters More Than Ever
What makes this footage particularly remarkable isn’t just its rarity – it’s the timing. This John Lennon live performance comes as part of the upcoming “Power to the People” box set, a massive 12-disc collection that chronicles Lennon’s most politically charged era. The box set, releasing October 10th (the day after what would have been his 85th birthday), features 123 tracks with 90 previously unreleased recordings.
Get the Complete Collection
Power To The People: Live at the One To One Concert
Want to experience every moment of John Lennon’s legendary Madison Square Garden performances? This newly revealed “Instant Karma!” footage is just a taste of what awaits in the ultimate archival collection.
- Super Deluxe 9 CD/3 Blu-ray Audio collection
- 123 tracks including 90 previously unreleased recordings
- Complete afternoon and evening MSG performances
- Newly remixed by Sean Ono Lennon
- 204-page hardback book with rare photos
Sean Ono Lennon, who produced the newly remixed audio, has called this documentary footage “a seismic revelation that will challenge pre-existing notions of the iconic couple.” The restoration work by Paul Hicks and Sam Gannon brings crystal-clear sound quality to performances that many thought were lost forever.
This particular “Instant Karma!” performance will also be featured in an upcoming 2026 concert film, making it part of a larger narrative about Lennon’s New York years. The documentary “One to One: John & Yoko,” directed by Oscar-winner Kevin Macdonald, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and showcases the 18 transformative months when the couple lived in Greenwich Village.
The Musical Legacy That Keeps on Giving
For classic rock news enthusiasts, this discovery represents something bigger than just another archival release. It’s a window into an era when music and activism were inseparable. The setlist from these concerts reads like a greatest hits collection: “Imagine,” “Come Together,” “Mother,” “Well Well Well,” and of course, “Instant Karma!”
What’s fascinating is how this John Lennon live performance captures him at a crossroads. By 1972, he’d fully embraced his role as a political artist, yet he was still the same guy who could make 40,000 people sing along to “Give Peace a Chance.” The Nixon administration was actively trying to deport him, making these concerts an act of defiance wrapped in melody.
The afternoon show, which featured the newly released “Instant Karma!” performance, was notably more relaxed than the evening performance. Lennon even acknowledged this from the stage, telling the crowd “Welcome to the rehearsal.” That self-deprecating humor is pure Lennon – even at his most serious, he could find a way to connect with people through authenticity.
What Voice Search Users Are Really Asking About
When people search for information about this topic, they’re asking specific questions: “What was John Lennon’s last concert?” “When did John Lennon perform at Madison Square Garden?” “How can I watch John Lennon live performances?” This newly released footage answers all of these questions while raising new ones about what other treasures might be hidden in the archives.
The fact that this footage was timed to release on the exact anniversary, down to the minute, shows the thoughtful curation behind this project. It’s not just about capitalizing on nostalgia – it’s about preserving and presenting history with the respect it deserves.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Classic Rock Fans
This John Lennon live performance discovery comes at a time when live music documentation is more important than ever. These concerts weren’t just entertainment – they were cultural events that shaped how we think about the relationship between art and activism.
The restoration technology used to bring this footage to life represents the cutting edge of archival preservation. When you watch this performance, you’re not just seeing history – you’re experiencing it with clarity that wasn’t available even to people who were actually there in 1972.
The upcoming box set and documentary represent a comprehensive look at Lennon’s most productive and controversial period. From his collaborations with Frank Zappa to his intimate home recordings at the St. Regis Hotel, this collection paints a complete picture of an artist unafraid to use his platform for change.
Looking Forward: What This Means for Future Releases
This newly unveiled footage sets the stage for what promises to be a banner year for Lennon releases. The Record Store Day EP featuring four tracks from the One to One concerts (limited to 5,000 copies worldwide) gives collectors something tangible to treasure. Meanwhile, the full box set provides the complete story for serious fans and music historians.
The fact that this John Lennon live performance will be part of a larger concert film releasing in 2026 suggests that we’re just seeing the beginning of a larger archival project. With Sean Ono Lennon spearheading these releases, there’s reason to be optimistic about the quality and authenticity of future discoveries.
As we celebrate this remarkable find, it’s worth remembering what made Lennon special: his ability to turn personal pain into universal anthems, his courage to speak truth to power, and his unwavering belief that music could change the world. This newly revealed “Instant Karma!” performance captures all of that in four and a half minutes of pure, unfiltered artistry.
The discovery of this footage reminds us why John Lennon remains one of the most compelling figures in rock history – not just for what he created, but for how he lived his values through his music, right up until the very end.
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Sources:
- https://ultimateclassicrock.com/instant-karma-live-performance/
- https://www.johnlennon.com/news/power-to-the-people-4-track-12-ep-for-record-store-day-2025/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_in_New_York_City_(John_Lennon_album)
- https://www.beatlesbible.com/1972/08/30/john-lennon-live-madison-square-garden-new-york/
- https://americansongwriter.com/new-john-lennon-yoko-one-documentary-one-to-one-to-feature-footage-from-historic-1972-concerts-at-madison-square-garden/
- https://consequence.net/2025/03/john-lennon-yoko-ono-one-to-one-documentary-trailer/
- https://www.noise11.com/news/john-lennon-one-to-one-concert-is-coming-for-2025-20241213
