Remembering When a Rock Legend Rebranded for a Pair of Hit Singles in 1969

John Lennon used the name Plastic Ono Band for music he made with Yoko Ono outside the Beatles, signalling his growing independence as the group fractured in 1969. The project released two hit singles that year, while giving the public only partial clues about how far the Beatles were breaking apart.

Lennon recorded “Give Peace A Chance” during a Toronto peace campaign event in June, crediting Paul McCartney as a gesture of thanks for earlier help. “Cold Turkey”, about Lennon’s heroin withdrawal, followed without McCartney’s credit; Ringo Starr played drums, though the Beatles had rejected the song. Lennon had already told the group he was leaving, but they agreed to keep it quiet until the release of Let It Be.