Bagism

This article appeared in the Ottawa Journal on Tuesday, December 23, 1969:

LENNON'S NEW BAG A GLEEFUL CACKLE

MONTREAL (CP) -- Beatle John Lennon has a brand new bag.

It's a small red velvet one, not to be confused with the great gunny sack in which wife, Yoko Ono, has been known to hibernate briefly during stage appearances.

The little red "bag of laffs" with a pre-recorded gleeful cackle inside was about the only new offering Lennon had for Montrealers Monday when he and his wife popped into town for a day "just to say hello."

The two swept into a news conference wearing matching black capes which they removed to display matching black jumpsuits. Then Yoko added a broad brimmed black hat and Lennon a battered army cap.

Throughout the session, the long-haired singer happily toyed with the little laugh bag.

The questions came mainly from reporters for college and high school papers.

Didn't he think the $72,000 he has spent on anti-war billboards could better have been used to help starving war victims, especially children?

"There are two things you can do about cancer -- you can try to cure it or try to prevent it. We're trying to prevent war. Besides, I'm not sure we're going to pay for the billboards and everything."

Lennon said he planned to send the bill for his ads and posters to U.S. President Richard Nixon.

The following article is the full-length report that appeared on Tuesday, December 23, on page 2 of the Montreal Gazette:

Beatle John has brand new bag
by George Radwanski

Beatle John has a brand new bag.

It's a small red velvet one, not to be confused with the great gunny sack which his wife Yoko Ono has been known to hibernate briefly during stage performances.

But it laughs -- the bag that is.

The little red "Bag of Laffs" with a pre-recorded gleeful cackle inside was, in fact, the only new offering Lennon had for Montrealers yesterday when he and his wife popped into town for a day "just to say hello."

At the press conference, Lennon and Yoko waxed enthusiastic about the mammoth rock happening for peace which they're planning to hold at Ontario's Mosport race-track in July, and Lennon praised Canada as an ideal base for their international peace crusade.

"The press in Canada gives us a chance," Lennon said. "They treat us as human beings, which is a pleasant change."

"It seems that we get more smiles and genuine help form Canada than anywhere else -- that's why we're here."

Lennon and his wife swept into the press conference at the Chateau Champlain Hotel wearing matching black capes which they removed to display matching black jumpsuits, to which Yoko added a broad brimmed black hat and Lennon a battered army cap. Throughout the session, the long-haired singer toyed happily with the little laugh bag.

At first it seemed that no one had any questions to launch the conference and Lennon settled back in anticipation of what he called "the world's first silent press conference."

Then the questions came in waves mainly from college and high school reporters.

The queries evoked the usual Lennonisms from John:

Is it true the Beatles are breaking up?

"Ask me that after the July concert. I'm trying to grease the other lads into doing it with me. Every time we decide whether to do something new together, an album or whatever, we're deciding about the whole thing."

Does he have any plans to visit Vietnam and talk to people about his peace drive.

"No, I'm frightened to go anywhere they're dropping bombs. I'd be frightened to go to a place like that."

Does he think the $72,000 he is spending on anti-war billboards could better have been used to help starving war victims, especially children?

"There are two things you can do about cancer -- you can try to cure it or try to prevent it. We're trying to prevent war. Besides, I'm not sure we're going to pay for the billboards and everything."

Also on the same page of the Montreal Gazette that day, the paper ran a short write-up on comments made by Prime Minister Trudeau concerning his ideas for "peace". The article was found next to the John and Yoko article written by George Radwanski:

TRUDEAU
Ideal of peace asked.

OTTAWA - (CP) - Prime Minister Trudeau expressed the wish in a formal Christmas message issued yesterday that the spirit of peace will be the inspiration for 1970.

Mr. Trudeau said:

"Christmas is a time when men throughout the world pay homage to the ideal of peace.

"Peace can man many things -- harmony among nations, tranquility on our streets, or repose in our hearts. But through the pursuit of peace is instinctive, its attainment is rare.

"At Christmas the spirit of peace prevails amongst us. May this spirit continue to inspire us in the New Year."

Ottawa Beatles Site