DREAM POWER JOHN LENNON SUPER LIVE 2007
by Mikihiko Hori
"Dream Power John Lennon Super Live 2007", which was held on December 8th, 2007, the 27th anniversary of John Lennon's death, was a great success. With the proceeds of this year's concert, it already turned out that 10 more schools can be built in Asia and Africa.
Yoko said at the concert, "Let's bring peace into the world by using Nenriki (psychokinesis) by Japanese people". I thought that the word Yoko used in this statement was very typical of her. As for the Japanese word, "Nenriki", "Nen" means "wish" and "riki" means "power". Therefore, the appropriate English translation could be psychokinesis, but "wish power" is the most suitable translation, I believe. By using the "wish power" we have come this far. We can still go on more and more.
Onochord penlights designed by Yoko were distributed at the concert, and twelve thousand audience members created the light art, wishing for love and peace. In the end, all of the performers and the audience sang, "Imagine" all together.
The top artists who got together in response to Ono's request were Kiyoshiro Imawano with Reiichi Nakaido, Tamio Okuda, Kazuya Yoshii, Chara, and others.
Additionally, Kirin Kiki, actress (age 64), appeared with her two grandchildren and recited the Japanese translation of "Imagine".
Legendary Rock 'n' Roll singer, Kiyoshiro Imawano, did a complete comeback with this show. Imawano, who was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx in July 2006, confessed that he received a letter from Ono during his treatment, which said, "please get well soon and let's stand on the stage together". Imawano said, "I feel great, baby," and gave the impression of his complete comeback. Congratulations, Kiyoshiro!!
CHUNICHI SPORTS NEWSPAPER
December 9th, 2007
Kiyoshiro, complete comeback!! He sang enthusiastically at "John Lennon Super Live"
Kiyoshiro Imawano (age 56), revived from the treatment of cancer of the larynx, appeared at "John Lennon Super Live" which was held at Nippon Budokan in Kudanshita, Tokyo, on December 8th, 2007, the day of the anniversary of John Lennon's death. This was his complete comeback.
For the live concert, Yoko Ono (age 74), Tamio Okuda (age 42), Kirin Kiki, actress (age 64) and others appeared, and they drove twelve thousand audience members wild.
This live concert was advocated by Yoko, and it has been held as a charity live concert since 2001. But this year for the first time, the concert was held on the day of the anniversary of Lennon's death. At the opening, after the history film of Lennon was screened, Okuda and others appeared on stage to perform a medley.
When the tension of the hall heated up, Kiyoshiro appeared on the stage wearing a gold cape. Okuda introduced him by saying, "complete comeback!! Kiyoshiro Imawano." Kiyoshiro took off his cape to reveal a fluorescent orange jacket and trousers and fluorescent green shoes.
He was very up-beat and shouted, while running around the stage, and sang, "Don't let me down". He was wearing a big smile on his face and said, "Welcome to Budokan. I feel great, baby!!" This was the first big live performance since the news of his cancer of the larynx was revealed in July, 2006.
At the end all of the performers enthusiastically sang, "Imagine", "Happy Xmas", and so on. Kiyoshiro will conduct a solo-live concert at Budokan on February 10th, 2008, his first since December, 2005. (Kenta Takahashi)
Original article in Japanese here.
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KIYOSHIRO IMWANO, I COME BACK, BABY!
He re-started his work one and a half years after getting over cancer
Kiyoshiro Imwano (age 56), Rock'n Roll singer, who continued having treatments due to cancer of the larynx, re-started his work one and a half years later by appearing at the charity live concert, "John Lennon Super Live", which was held at Nippon Budokan in Kitanomaru, Tokyo, on December 8th, 2007. He showed up on the stage which was set up for the anniversary of the death of John Lennon (age at death, 40), an ex-Beatle, whom Kiyoshiro admired. He did a complete comeback by performing together with Yoko Ono (age 74), widow of John.
Kitoshiro Imawano (center) who jumps and sings full of energy.
Tamio Okuda (far left) and Kuzuyoshi Saito (far right) responded
to his performance. Kitanomaru, Tokyo
(Photograph: Miwa Terakauchi)
His shout came from the bottom of his stomach! It certainly hit our ears. It shook Budokan up. "Complete comeback. Kiyoshiro Imawano!", shouted Tamio Okuda (age 42) who was standing at the stage for the opening, as he welcomed the appearance of Kiyoshiro.
Kiyoshiro sang enthusiastically the Beatles number,"Don't let me down", which John Lennon made. Under the golden cape, he was wearing a fluorescent orange suit and fluorescent yellow and green shoes. His spiked hair and the makeup around his eyes were
the same as usual. Then, he said his regular line, "Oh, yeah! Say, yeah! I feel great, baby!!"
The cancer treatment has stopped his music work since July, 2006. He was preparing for his comeback by getting anti-cancer drugs and Chinese herb medicines and rehabilitation by riding on the bicycle, which is his hobby. During that time, a letter was delivered to Kiyoshiro. "Please get well soon and let's stand on the stage together." The sender was Yoko Ono.
"I received a letter by Ms. Yoko of John & Yoko. Ain't it great?" Kiyoshiro chose this setting, "John Lennon Super Live" for his comeback, in order to convey his appreciation.
Near the end of his performance, he changed his costume to a gold lame suit, and he re-united with Reiichi Nakaido (age 57), guitarist, his partner since the era of "RC Succession". He sang Japanese-translated versions of three songs including "Imagine", and "Mother". Kiyoshiro has been admiring John Lennon since he was a junior high-school student. He also presented his regular performance using his signature cape.
Kiyoshiro will appear at a countdown event on New Year's Eve, and he will also hold a solo-live concert, "Complete Comeback Festival" at Budokan on February 10th, 2008. He screamed wearing a smile all over his face, "now that I am back, hard work on stage will begin again."
At the conclusion of the concert, all of the performers did a session together. Kiyoshiro got his microphone close to Yoko, his "benefactor", and he sang enthusiastically, "Imagine" again. The volume of his voice never got lower until the end.
The 7th annual "Dream Power Super Live" was held on the
anniversary on the day of John Lennon's death
Although "John Lennon Super Live" celebrated its 7th anniversary this year, it was conducted for the first time on the day of the anniversary of John's death. Twelve groups of artists appeared, and Kirin Kiki (age 64), actress, who participated for the first time, recited a poem. Yoko greeted the audience by saying, "I am glad that I came all the way (from the US). Tokyo looks like an extremely beautiful city."
At this day, a live event regarding the movie, "Chapter 27" (Directed by J.P Schaefer, to be released on December 15th, 2007) was conducted in Tokyo, and a TV producer, Dave Spector attended. A documentary movie of John & Yoko, "PEACE BED AMERIKA VS JOHN LENNON" was also released at this day.
Original article in Japanese here
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