History of Yoko Ono in Timeline
Yoko Ono is a Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist known for her avant-garde artistic endeavors spanning performance art, music, and filmmaking. Her work often explores themes of peace, feminism, and social justice. She gained wider recognition through her marriage to John Lennon, with whom she collaborated on numerous musical and peace-promoting projects. While sometimes a controversial figure, she remains an influential force in art and activism.
1911: Birth of Isoko Ono
In 1911, Isoko Ono, Yoko Ono's mother, was born.
February 18, 1933: Yoko Ono's Birth
On February 18, 1933, Yoko Ono was born in Japan. She is a multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist known for her performance art and filmmaking.
December 1936: Birth of Keisuke Ono
In December 1936, Yoko Ono's younger brother, Keisuke Ono, was born.
1940: Move to New York City
In 1940, Yoko Ono's family moved to New York City.
March 9, 1945: Tokyo Fire-Bombing
On March 9, 1945, Yoko Ono and her family sheltered in a bunker during the fire-bombing of Tokyo.
1945: Family Moves to the US
In 1945, after the war ended, Yoko Ono remained in Japan while her family moved to the United States.
April 1946: Re-enrollment in Gakushūin
In April 1946, Yoko Ono re-enrolled in Gakushūin and became a classmate of Prince Akihito.
1951: Graduation from Gakushuin
In 1951, Yoko Ono graduated from Gakushuin and was accepted into the philosophy program of Gakushuin University.
September 1952: Enrollment at Sarah Lawrence College
In September 1952, Yoko Ono joined her family in New York and enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College.
1952: Move to New York City
In 1952, Yoko Ono moved to New York City to join her family and became involved with the downtown artists scene.
1956: Elopement with Toshi Ichiyanagi
In 1956, Yoko Ono left college to elope with Japanese composer Toshi Ichiyanagi.
1957: Move to New York and Artistic Pursuits
In 1957, Yoko Ono left college and moved to New York, supporting herself through various jobs and studying traditional Japanese arts.
December 1960: Start of Chambers Street Series
In December 1960, Yoko Ono and La Monte Young began hosting a series of avant-garde art events at Ono's loft on Chambers Street in Manhattan.
1960: Early Work Retrospective
In 2015, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City held a retrospective exhibition of Yoko Ono's early work, "Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971", recognizing her influence in the art world early in her career.
1960: Add Color Painting Series
In 2019, Yoko Ono presented her participatory installation Add Color (Refugee Boat) (1960/2019) at Lower Manhattan's River to River Festival. Refugee Boat belongs to Ono's Add Color Painting series, first enacted in 1960.
June 1961: End of Chambers Street Series
In June 1961, the series of avant-garde art events hosted by Yoko Ono and La Monte Young at Ono's loft on Chambers Street in Manhattan came to a close.
July 1961: Exhibition at AG Gallery
In July 1961, Yoko Ono showcased her instructional artwork, including "Painting to Be Stepped On", at Maciunas's AG Gallery.
1961: Carnegie Recital Hall Concert
In 1961, Yoko Ono had her first major public performance at Carnegie Recital Hall, featuring radical experimental music.
1961: First Solo Exhibition
In 1961, Yoko Ono had her first solo exhibition at George Maciunas' AG Gallery in New York.
November 28, 1962: Marriage to Anthony Cox
On November 28, 1962, Yoko Ono married Anthony Cox, who helped secure her release from a mental institution.
1962: Divorce and Mental Institution
In 1962, Yoko Ono and Toshi Ichiyanagi divorced, and Ono was briefly placed in a mental institution due to clinical depression.
1962: Album Cover Art
In 1962, Yoko Ono is credited for the album cover art for the album Nirvana Symphony by Toshiro Mayuzumi.
March 1, 1963: First Marriage to Cox Annulled
On March 1, 1963, Yoko Ono's first marriage to Anthony Cox was annulled because she hadn't finalized her divorce from Toshi Ichiyanagi.
June 6, 1963: Second Marriage to Anthony Cox
On June 6, 1963, after finalizing her divorce from Ichiyanagi, Yoko Ono remarried Anthony Cox.
August 8, 1963: Birth of Kyoko Chan Cox
On August 8, 1963, Yoko Ono gave birth to her daughter Kyoko Chan Cox.
1964: Experimental Filmmaker
From 1964 to 1972, Yoko Ono was an experimental filmmaker who made 16 films.
1964: First Cut Piece Performance
In 1964, Yoko Ono first performed Cut Piece at the Yamaichi Concert Hall in Kyoto, Japan.
1964: Grapefruit Published
In 1964, Yoko Ono published Grapefruit, a book of instruction-based 'action poems'.
1965: Satan's Bed Film
In 1965, Yoko Ono acted in an obscure exploitation film, Satan's Bed.
1965: Second Carnegie Recital Hall Engagement
In 1965, Yoko Ono had a second engagement at the Carnegie Recital Hall, where she debuted "Cut Piece".
1965: Cut Piece at Carnegie Hall
In 1965, Yoko Ono performed Cut Piece at Carnegie Hall in New York.
February 1966: Fluxus Magazine Compilation
In February 1966, Yoko Ono's short instructional texts were conjoined with Maciunas' graphic illustrations and printed in the No. 7 issue of the Fluxus magazine cc V TRE.
September 1966: Destruction in Art Symposium
In September 1966, Yoko Ono visited London to meet artist and political activist Gustav Metzger's Destruction in Art Symposium.
November 7, 1966: First Meeting with John Lennon
On November 7, 1966, Yoko Ono and John Lennon first met at the Indica Gallery in London during the preparation for her conceptual art exhibit, Unfinished Paintings.
1966: No. 4 (Bottoms) Film
In 1966, Yoko Ono gained particular renown for a Fluxus film called No. 4, often referred to as Bottoms.
1966: Cut Piece at Destruction in Art Symposium
In 1966, Yoko Ono performed Cut Piece at London's Africa Center as part of the Destruction in Art Symposium.
1966: YES Sculpture at Indica Gallery
In 1966, Yoko Ono's sculptural work "YES" was shown at the Indica Gallery in London, where viewers climbed a ladder to read the word "yes" on a small canvas. This piece was significant as it was the first encounter John Lennon had with Yoko Ono's art, which he found positive and relieving.
September 1967: Lennon Sponsors Ono's Show
In September 1967, John Lennon sponsored Yoko Ono's solo Half-A-Wind Show at Lisson Gallery in London.
1967: Plastic Ono Band Concept
In 1967, Yoko Ono conceived the idea of the Plastic Ono Band as an open-ended plastic band for an art exhibition in Berlin.
May 1968: First Recording Session with Lennon
In May 1968, while his wife was on holiday, John Lennon invited Yoko Ono to visit, and they spent the night recording avant-garde tape loops, which became their first collaborative album.
November 21, 1968: Miscarriage of Male Child
On November 21, 1968, Yoko Ono had a miscarriage of a male child, following her pregnancy with John Lennon. This occurred shortly after Lennon's divorce from his first wife, Cynthia.
December 12, 1968: Participation in The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus
On December 12, 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono participated in the BBC documentary about The Rolling Stones, titled "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus." Lennon performed "Yer Blues", and Ono provided an improvised vocal performance.
1968: Formation of Plastic Ono Band with Lennon
In 1968, Yoko Ono and John Lennon started a personal and artistic relationship and decided to credit their future endeavors as the work of The Plastic Ono Band. The Plastic Ono Band was physically realized in 1968 as a multi-media machine maquette by John Lennon.
1968: Collaboration on Avant-Garde Recordings
In 1968, Yoko Ono collaborated with John Lennon on a series of avant-garde recordings, starting with "Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins", which featured an unretouched nude image of them on the cover. In 1968, Ono contributed an experimental sound collage to The Beatles' "White Album" called "Revolution 9", with Ono contributing additional vocals to "Birthday", and one lead vocal line on "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill".
1968: Album Re-issuing
In 2016, Secretly Canadian announced the re-issuing of 11 of Yoko Ono's albums from 1968 to 1985.
February 2, 1969: Divorce from Anthony Cox
On February 2, 1969, Yoko Ono and Anthony Cox divorced.
March 1969: "Bed-in for Peace" in Amsterdam
In March 1969, after marrying John Lennon in Gibraltar, Yoko Ono and John Lennon held a "Bed-in for Peace" in their honeymoon suite at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel, eager to promote world peace. They wore pajamas and invited visitors and members of the press to discuss peace.
March 20, 1969: Marriage to John Lennon
On March 20, 1969, Yoko Ono married John Lennon in Gibraltar. They spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam, campaigning for peace with a week-long bed-in.
April 22, 1969: John Lennon Changes His Name
On April 22, 1969, John Lennon legally changed his middle name from Winston to Ono.
June 2, 1969: End of the Lennon-Ono Bed-In
On June 2, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In for Peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada came to an end.
June 1969: Car Crash During Abbey Road Recording
In June 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were injured in a car crash while recording Abbey Road, leading to a bed with a microphone being installed in the studio for Ono. This incident and her continued presence in the studio strained Lennon's relationship with the other band members.
July 1969: First Solo Single Release
In July 1969, John Lennon's first solo single, "Give Peace a Chance", was released, backed by Yoko Ono's "Remember Love", and was credited to the Plastic Ono Band.
December 1969: WAR IS OVER! Billboard Campaign
In December 1969, Yoko Ono and John Lennon continued to spread their message of peace with billboards in 12 major world cities reading "WAR IS OVER! If You Want It – Happy Christmas from John & Yoko," reinforcing their commitment to peace activism.
1969: Accusations of Breaking Up The Beatles
In 1969, Paul McCartney foresaw Yoko Ono being blamed for breaking up The Beatles. The English press dubbed Ono "the woman who broke up the Beatles," although Lennon and Harrison denied that Ono was the primary cause.
1969: Start of Music Career
In 1969, Yoko Ono began her career in popular music, forming the Plastic Ono Band with John Lennon.
1969: Marriage to John Lennon
In 1969, Yoko Ono married John Lennon of the Beatles and gained prominence, beginning a public partnership and musical collaborations.
1970: Relocation to Manhattan
After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, Yoko Ono and John Lennon lived together in London and then moved permanently to Manhattan to escape tabloid racism towards Ono.
1970: Fly Film Collaboration
In 1970, Yoko Ono collaborated with John Lennon on the film Fly.
1970: Release of First Solo Album
In 1970, Yoko Ono released her first solo album, "Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band", as a companion piece to John Lennon's album.
June 5, 1971: Performance with Frank Zappa
On June 5, 1971, Yoko Ono joined John Lennon in playing with Frank Zappa at the Fillmore.
1971: Grapefruit Re-published
In 1971, Simon & Schuster widely distributed Yoko Ono's Grapefruit, a book of conceptual art instructions.
1971: This Is Not Here Exhibition
In 1971, Yoko Ono's highly publicized retrospective exhibition, This Is Not Here, opened at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, New York, facing disruptions from Beatles fans.
1971: Custody Battle and Kyoko's Disappearance
In 1971, during a custody battle, Anthony Cox disappeared with his and Yoko's daughter Kyoko. He won custody after successfully claiming that Ono was an unfit mother due to her drug use.
1971: Fly Album Soundtrack
In 1971, the soundtrack for the film Fly appeared on Yoko Ono's album Fly.
1971: Early Work Retrospective
In 2015, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City held a retrospective exhibition of Yoko Ono's early work, "Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971", recognizing her influence in the art world early in her career.
1972: Experimental Filmmaker
From 1964 to 1972, Yoko Ono was an experimental filmmaker who made 16 films.
1972: Release of "Approximately Infinite Universe"
In 1972, Yoko Ono released the album "Approximately Infinite Universe", which included the song "Death of Samantha".
1972: Featured in "Some Living American Women Artists / Last Supper"
In 1972, Yoko Ono was among the women artists featured in Mary Beth Edelson's "Some Living American Women Artists / Last Supper", a feminist artwork addressing the subordination of women.
July 1973: Separation from John Lennon
In July 1973, Yoko Ono and John Lennon separated, with Ono focusing on her career while Lennon lived between Los Angeles and New York with May Pang, a relationship Ono had approved.
1973: Release of "Joseijoi Banzai, Parts 1 and 2"
In 1973, Yoko Ono recorded and released the single "Joseijoi Banzai, Parts 1 and 2" in Japan, signaling a new direction in her music.
1973: Release of 'Feeling the Space'
In 1973, Yoko Ono released 'Feeling the Space'. In 2009, she released 'Between My Head and the Sky', her first album to be released as "Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band" since 'Feeling the Space'.
March 1974: McCartney Intervenes
In March 1974, Paul McCartney asked Yoko Ono what would make her return to John Lennon, later conveying her response to Lennon in Los Angeles.
December 1974: Consideration of Buying a House
In December 1974, John Lennon and May Pang considered buying a house together.
1974: "Lost Weekend" Sessions
In 1974, Yoko Ono participated in recording sessions during John Lennon's "lost weekend". Material from these sessions was later included in the 1992 release of the 'Onobox' collection.
October 9, 1975: Birth of Sean Lennon
On October 9, 1975, Yoko Ono and John Lennon's son, Sean, was born, coinciding with Lennon's 35th birthday.
1976: McCartney Attempts to Change Song Credits
In 1976, Paul McCartney released a live album crediting Beatles tracks as P. McCartney–J. Lennon compositions. After Lennon's death, McCartney attempted to change the order to McCartney–Lennon for songs he solely or predominantly wrote, but Yoko Ono did not allow it, leading to disputes over songwriting credits.
November 17, 1980: Release of Double Fantasy
On November 17, 1980, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released "Double Fantasy", which initially received mixed reviews.
December 8, 1980: John Lennon's Murder
On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was murdered in front of the Dakota, the couple's apartment building, leaving Yoko Ono a widow.
1980: "Double Fantasy" Album Success
In 1980, Yoko Ono achieved commercial and critical success with the album "Double Fantasy," a collaboration with John Lennon, which was released shortly before his death.
1980: Reconciliation and Musical Collaboration
In early 1980, after Lennon heard "Rock Lobster", he was reminded of Ono's musical sound and started trading songs over the phone with Ono, which led to their reconciliation and musical collaboration.
1980: Lennon's Death
Since John Lennon's death in 1980, guns have killed more than 1 million people according to a tweet by Yoko Ono on what would have been her and Lennon's 44th anniversary.
1981: Release of Season of Glass
In 1981, Yoko Ono released the album "Season of Glass", featuring a striking cover photo of John Lennon's bloody spectacles and reflecting the public's mood after his assassination.
1981: Grammy Award for Album of the Year
In 1981, Yoko Ono won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for "Double Fantasy" at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards.
1982: Release of It's Alright Album
In 1982, Yoko Ono released the album "It's Alright", with a cover featuring her in wrap-around sunglasses and the ghost of John Lennon looking over her and Sean on the back.
1983: Band Named after Ono's Song
In 1983, the post-punk rock band Death of Samantha was founded and named after a song from Yoko Ono's 1972 album, Approximately Infinite Universe.
1984: Release of Milk and Honey Album
In 1984, Yoko Ono and John Lennon's final album, "Milk and Honey", was released, containing a mixture of unfinished Lennon recordings from the "Double Fantasy" sessions and new Ono recordings.
October 9, 1985: Dedication of Strawberry Fields Memorial
On October 9, 1985, Yoko Ono funded the construction and maintenance of the Strawberry Fields memorial in Manhattan's Central Park, which was officially dedicated on what would have been John Lennon's 45th birthday.
1985: Album Re-issuing
In 2016, Secretly Canadian announced the re-issuing of 11 of Yoko Ono's albums from 1968 to 1985.
1986: Starpeace Goodwill World Tour
In 1986, Yoko Ono embarked on a goodwill world tour to promote her album Starpeace, with a focus on visiting Eastern European countries.
1986: Billboard Music Video Award
In 1986, Yoko Ono's "Hell in Paradise" music video won the "Most Innovative Video" award at the Billboard Music Video Awards. The video received major airplay on MTV.
1987: Participation in Nuclear-free World Forum
In 1987, Yoko Ono traveled to Moscow to participate in the "International Forum for a Nuclear-free World and for the Survival of Mankind", demonstrating her ongoing commitment to peace activism. She also visited Leningrad and met with members of the local John Lennon memorial club.
1987: Speaking at Andy Warhol's Funeral
In 1987, Yoko Ono was one of the speakers at Andy Warhol's funeral, highlighting her involvement and presence in the New York art world. This event underscores her relationships with other influential artists of the time.
1987: Ono Points Out McCartney's Role in Beatles' Disintegration
In a 1987 Rolling Stone interview, Yoko Ono pointed out Paul McCartney's place in the disintegration of the Beatles, adding to the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding the band's breakup.
1989: Whitney Museum Retrospective
A retrospective at a Whitney Museum branch in 1989 helped to increase public appreciation of Yoko Ono's work, marking a turning point in the reception of her art.
1989: Objects, Films Retrospective
In 1989, Yoko Ono had the Yoko Ono: Objects, Films retrospective at the Whitney.
1990: "Be My Yoko Ono" Released
In 1990, Barenaked Ladies released their debut single "Be My Yoko Ono", which compared the singer to Yoko Ono, self-deflatingly.
1990: "Imagine" Worldwide Broadcast
In 1990, Yoko Ono collaborated with Jeff Pollack for a worldwide broadcast of "Imagine" on what would have been John Lennon's 50th birthday. Over 1,000 stations in over 50 countries participated.
1992: Release of 'Onobox'
In 1992, Yoko Ono signed with Rykodisc and released the six-disc box set Onobox, featuring remastered highlights from her solo albums and unreleased material. She also released a one-disc sampler titled Walking on Thin Ice.
1992: "Be My Yoko Ono" included in album
In 1992, the single "Be My Yoko Ono" was included on the Barenaked Ladies' album Gordon.
1994: Production of "New York Rock"
In 1994, Yoko Ono produced her own off-Broadway musical entitled New York Rock, which featured Broadway renditions of her songs.
1995: Collaboration and Comparison
In 1995, Yoko Ono collaborated with Paul McCartney and his family on "Hiroshima Sky Is Always Blue", commemorating the atomic bombing's 50th anniversary. She also compared John Lennon to Mozart and McCartney to Salieri, which caused friction with McCartney's wife, Linda.
1995: Original Release of "Talking to the Universe"
In 1995, Yoko Ono originally released the song "Talking to the Universe". In January 2012, a Ralphi Rosario mix of the song became her seventh consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
1995: Release of "Rising"
In 1995, Yoko Ono released Rising, a collaborative album with her son Sean Lennon and his band, Ima. This release led to a world tour.
1996: Settlement with Julian Lennon
In 1996, Julian Lennon settled a court battle with Yoko Ono for an unspecified amount from his father's estate.
1996: Swatch Watch Edition
In 1996, the watch manufacturing company Swatch produced a limited edition watch that commemorated Yoko Ono's film No. 4 (Bottoms).
1996: Wish Piece Instructions
Yoko Ono's 1996 Wish Piece had instructions to install a tree native to the installation site.
1997: Reissue of Solo Recordings and Establishment of John Lennon Scholarships
In 1997, Rykodisc reissued Yoko Ono's solo recordings on CD with remastered audio and bonus tracks. Also, in 1997, Yoko Ono and the BMI Foundation established the John Lennon Scholarships for young songwriters.
1998: Reunion with Kyoko
In 1998, Yoko Ono finally saw her daughter Kyoko again after years of searching.
1998: Credit Change for "Give Peace a Chance"
On the 1998 John Lennon anthology, Lennon Legend, the composer credit of "Give Peace a Chance" was changed to "John Lennon" from its original credit of "Lennon–McCartney", though Lennon later expressed regret for not giving co-writing credit to Ono.
December 1999: Negative Press from NME
As late as December 1999, NME called Yoko Ono a "no-talent charlatan," highlighting the continued criticism and lack of appreciation for her work from certain segments of the press.
1999: Death of Isoko Ono
In 1999, Isoko Ono, Yoko Ono's mother, passed away.
1999: Billboards After Columbine Massacre
In 1999, after the Columbine High School massacre, Yoko Ono paid for billboards to be put up in New York City and Los Angeles that bore the image of John Lennon's blood-splashed spectacles, using a powerful image to advocate for peace and highlight the consequences of violence.
2000: "I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono" Recorded
In 2000, Dar Williams recorded a song titled "I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono", which used John and Yoko as a starting point for exploring love between artists.
2000: Grapefruit Reprinted
In 2000, Simon & Schuster reprinted Yoko Ono's conceptual art book, Grapefruit.
2000: Opening of the John Lennon Museum
In 2000, Yoko Ono founded the John Lennon Museum in Saitama, Japan, showcasing memorabilia from her private collection. The museum housed over 130 items.
2001: International Association of Art Critics USA Award
In 2001, Y E S YOKO ONO, a 40-year retrospective of Ono's work, received the International Association of Art Critics USA Award for Best Museum Show Originating in New York City, a significant accolade in the museum profession. She also received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Liverpool University in 2001.
2001: "Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music" Concert
In 2001, Yoko Ono organized the concert "Come Together: A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music" at Radio City Music Hall after the 9/11 attacks. The concert raised money for September 11 relief efforts.
2001: Japan Society Retrospective
Retrospectives of Yoko Ono's artwork were presented at the Japan Society in New York City in 2001, further enhancing public appreciation and recognition of her contributions to art.
March 2002: Unveiling of John Lennon Statue at Liverpool Airport
In March 2002, Yoko Ono, along with Cherie Blair, attended the unveiling of a statue of John Lennon to mark the renaming of Liverpool airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
2002: Billboard with Lennon's "Imagine" Line
Early in 2002, Yoko Ono paid for a billboard in Piccadilly Circus with a line from John Lennon's "Imagine": "Imagine all the people living life in peace." Later that year, she inaugurated the LennonOno Grant for Peace, awarding $50,000 to artists living "in regions of conflict."
2002: McCartney Album Reignites Credit Debate
In 2002, Paul McCartney released the album Back in the U.S. Live 2002, describing the 19 Beatles songs included as "composed by Paul McCartney and John Lennon," which reignited the debate over song credits with Yoko Ono, although Ono did not sue.
2002: Inauguration of LennonOno Grant for Peace
In 2002, Yoko Ono inaugurated a biennial $50,000 LennonOno Grant for Peace.
2002: Honorary Degree from Bard College
In 2002, Yoko Ono was presented with the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts from Bard College and the Skowhegan Medal for work in assorted media, recognizing her contributions to the arts.
2002: Ono's Attraction to Lennon
In a 2002 interview, Yoko Ono discussed her attraction to John Lennon when they first met.
April 2003: "Walking on Thin Ice (Remixes)" Reaches Number 1
In April 2003, Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice (Remixes)" reached number 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play chart, marking her first number 1 hit.
2003: Cut Piece Reprisal in Paris
In 2003, Yoko Ono reprised her performance piece Cut Piece in Paris, aiming to promote trust during a period of tension between the US and France.
2003: Support for Love-In Protest
On Valentine's Day 2003, the eve of the Iraqi invasion by the US and UK, Yoko Ono phoned Andrew and Christine Gale, a couple holding a love-in protest in their bedroom, expressing her support and solidarity, reinforcing her commitment to peace activism.
March 2004: The Rare Films Exhibition
In March 2004, the ICA London, showed most of Yoko Ono's films in their exhibition The Rare Films of Yoko Ono.
November 2004: "Everyman... Everywoman..." Reaches Number 1
In November 2004, Yoko Ono had a second number 1 hit on Billboard's Dance/Club Play chart with "Everyman... Everywoman...", a reworking of her song "Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him".
2004: Liverpool Biennial Art Installation
During the 2004 Liverpool Biennial, Yoko Ono displayed images on banners, bags, stickers, postcards, flyers, posters and badges: one of a woman's naked breast, the other of the same model's vulva. The piece, titled My Mummy Was Beautiful, was dedicated to Lennon's mother, Julia.
2004: Remix of "Everyman..... Everywoman....."
In 2004, Yoko Ono remade her song "Everyman..... Everywoman....." to support same-sex marriage, releasing remixes that included "Every Man Has a Man Who Loves Him" and "Every Woman Has a Woman Who Loves Her", demonstrating her support for LGBTQ+ rights.
2005: Lifetime Achievement Award from Japan Society
In 2005, Yoko Ono received a lifetime achievement award from the Japan Society of New York, where she had worked in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and which had hosted her "Yes Yoko Ono" exhibition, honoring her career and contributions.
2005: Accepting award at the Q Awards
In 2005, while accepting an award at the Q Awards, Yoko Ono mentioned that John Lennon had once felt insecure about his songwriting, and she had encouraged him about it.
December 13, 2006: Arrest of Yoko Ono's Bodyguard for Extortion Attempt
On December 13, 2006, one of Yoko Ono's bodyguards was arrested after allegedly trying to extort $2 million from her, threatening to release private conversations and photographs.
2006: Performance at the Winter Olympic Games
In 2006, Yoko Ono performed at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. She read a poem calling for world peace as an introduction to Peter Gabriel's performance of "Imagine".
February 2007: Release of "Yes, I'm a Witch"
In February 2007, Yoko Ono released the album Yes, I'm a Witch, a collection of remixes and covers of her songs by various artists.
June 26, 2007: Appearance on Larry King Live
On June 26, 2007, Yoko Ono appeared on Larry King Live with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Olivia Harrison.
July 14, 2007: Headlining Performance at Pitchfork Music Festival
On July 14, 2007, Yoko Ono headlined the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago, performing a set that combined music and performance art, including the song "Mulberry".
October 16, 2007: Ono's Interview on Democracy Now!
On October 16, 2007, Yoko Ono discussed her father's experience in a concentration camp in French Indochina during an interview on Democracy Now!.
January 2008: "No No No" Reaches Number 1
In January 2008, Yoko Ono's "No No No" reached number 1 on the Dance/Club Play chart.
2008: Unveiling of Sky Ladders
In 2008, Yoko Ono returned to Liverpool for the Liverpool Biennial and unveiled Sky Ladders in the ruins of St Luke's Church.
2008: Retrospective Exhibition in Germany and England
In 2008, Yoko Ono showcased a large retrospective exhibition, "Between The Sky and My Head", at the Kunsthalle Bielefeld in Bielefeld, Germany, and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, England, displaying a comprehensive view of her artistic journey.
March 31, 2009: Inauguration of "Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko" Exhibition
On March 31, 2009, Yoko Ono attended the inauguration of the exhibition "Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko" in Montreal, Canada, marking the 40th anniversary of the Lennon-Ono Bed-In.
May 2009: Design for Fashion Against AIDS Campaign
In May 2009, Yoko Ono designed a T-shirt for the second Fashion Against AIDS campaign, featuring the statement "Imagine Peace" in 21 languages.
June 1, 2009: Appearance at E3 Expo for Beatles: Rock Band
On June 1, 2009, Yoko Ono appeared onstage at Microsoft's E3 Expo press conference with Olivia Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr to promote the Beatles: Rock Band video game.
June 2009: "I'm Not Getting Enough" Reaches Number 1
In June 2009, at the age of 76, Yoko Ono scored her fifth number 1 hit on the Dance/Club Play chart with "I'm Not Getting Enough".
2009: Donation to Disaster Relief
In 2009, Yoko Ono donated to disaster relief efforts after typhoon Ondoy, as well as assisting Filipino schoolchildren.
2009: Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement
In 2009, Yoko Ono received a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement from the Venice Biennale, a prestigious recognition of her contributions to the art world. She also showed a selection of new and old work as part of her show "Anton's Memory" in Venice, Italy.
2009: Release of 'Between My Head and the Sky'
In 2009, Yoko Ono recorded Between My Head and the Sky, which was her first album to be released as "Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band" since 1973.
2009: Golden Lion Award
Yoko Ono received a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement from the Venice Biennale in 2009, recognizing her significant contributions to the art world.
February 16, 2010: "We Are Plastic Ono Band" Concert
On February 16, 2010, Sean Lennon organized a concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music called "We Are Plastic Ono Band", at which Yoko performed her music with Sean, Clapton, Klaus Voormann and Jim Keltner for the first time since the 1970s.
April 1, 2010: Named Global Autism Ambassador
On April 1, 2010, Yoko Ono was named the first "Global Autism Ambassador" by the Autism Speaks organization.
April 2010: Free Downloads of Junior Boys' Mix of "I'm Not Getting Enough"
In April 2010, RCRD LBL made available free downloads of Junior Boys' mix of Yoko Ono's "I'm Not Getting Enough".
July 2010: Wish Tree Installation
In July 2010, Yoko Ono's Wish Tree installation was established in the Sculpture Garden of the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
October 2010: Interview about Lennon's 'lost weekend'
In October 2010, Yoko Ono spoke about John Lennon's "lost weekend" and reconciliation with him, giving Paul McCartney credit for helping save her marriage to John.
2010: Attending Julian's photo exhibition
In 2010, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon attended the opening of Julian Lennon's photo exhibition in New York City, appearing for the first time in photos with Cynthia and Julian.
2010: Closure of John Lennon Museum
In 2010, the John Lennon Museum in Saitama, Japan, which Yoko Ono funded, closed.
February 18, 2011: "Imagine Peace 2011" Advertisement
On February 18, 2011, Yoko Ono took out a full-page advert in the UK newspaper Metro for "Imagine Peace 2011", inviting people to think of and wish for peace.
July 2011: Visit to Japan and Hiroshima Art Prize
In July 2011, Yoko Ono visited Japan to support earthquake and tsunami victims. During her visit, she gave a lecture and performance and also collected the 8th Hiroshima Art Prize for her contributions to art and peace.
August 2011: Release of Bed Peace Documentary
In August 2011, Yoko Ono made the documentary film about the Bed-ins, "Bed Peace," available for free on YouTube and as part of her website "Imagine Peace", continuing to promote peace through accessible media.
2011: Imagine Peace Installation
In 2011, the Imagine Peace exhibit was installed in Houston through the Deborah Colton Gallery.
January 2012: "Talking to the Universe" Remix Reaches Number 1
In January 2012, a Ralphi Rosario mix of Yoko Ono's 1995 song "Talking to the Universe" became her seventh consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
June 29, 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award
On June 29, 2012, Yoko Ono received a lifetime achievement award at the Dublin Biennial during her second trip to Ireland.
August 2012: Creation of Artists Against Fracking
In August 2012, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon created the Artists Against Fracking group with Mark Ruffalo, demonstrating her commitment to environmental activism.
2012: McCartney Credits Ono
In 2012, Paul McCartney stated that he did not blame Yoko Ono for the breakup of The Beatles and credited her for inspiring much of John Lennon's post-Beatles work.
2012: Exhibition at Serpentine Galleries and Oskar Kokoschka Prize
In 2012, Yoko Ono held a major exhibition of her work, "To The Light", at the Serpentine Galleries in London. She was also the winner of the 2012 Oskar Kokoschka Prize, Austria's highest award for applied contemporary art, celebrating her ongoing artistic achievements.
2012: Human Rights Award and Artists Against Fracking
In 2012, Yoko Ono received the Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt Human Rights Award and co-founded the group Artists Against Fracking.
2012: Oskar Kokoschka Prize
Yoko Ono was awarded the 2012 Oskar Kokoschka Prize, Austria's highest award for applied contemporary art, acknowledging her impact and innovation in the field.
January 2013: Protest Against Fracking
In January 2013, Yoko Ono, along with Sean Lennon and Susan Sarandon, protested against hydraulic fracturing in rural Pennsylvania under the banner of the Artists Against Fracking group, which she and Sean created, advocating for environmental protection.
February 2013: Rainer Hildebrandt Medal
In February 2013, Yoko Ono and John Lennon were posthumously awarded the Rainer Hildebrandt Medal at Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie Museum for their lifetime of work for peace and human rights.
February 2013: Largest Retrospective Opens in Frankfurt
In February 2013, coinciding with her 80th birthday, the largest retrospective of Yoko Ono's work, "Half-a-Wind Show," opened at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt. The show subsequently traveled to Denmark's Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Austria's Kunsthalle Krems, and Spain's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
June 2013: Meltdown Festival Curator
In June 2013, Yoko Ono curated the Meltdown festival in London, where she performed two concerts, one with the Plastic Ono Band, and backing vocals during Siouxsie Sioux's rendition of "Walking on Thin Ice".
July 2013: Acorn Release
In July 2013, Yoko Ono released Acorn, a sequel to her earlier work Grapefruit, via OR Books.
November 2013: "Bad Dancer" Video Release
In November 2013, Yoko Ono released her online video for "Bad Dancer", which was well-liked by the press and featured several guest artists.
November 24, 2013: Arising Exhibition
From June 1 through November 24, 2013, the installation Arising was on view at the European Cultural Centre's Palazzo Bembo.
2013: Central Theme in Comedy Show
In 2013, Yoko Ono was a central theme in James Acaster's comedy show Lawnmower, which was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show.
2013: Inspiration for Chicago Installation
In 2013, Yoko Ono was inspired during a visit to the Garden of the Phoenix and felt a connection to the city of Chicago.
2013: Peaches Reprises Cut Piece
In 2013, the Canadian singer Peaches reprised Yoko Ono's Cut Piece at the Meltdown festival in London, which Ono curated.
2013: Retrospective Exhibitions in Frankfurt and Bilbao
Retrospectives of Yoko Ono's artwork were presented in Frankfurt and Bilbao, Spain, in 2013, contributing to a growing appreciation of her artistic legacy and impact.
April 2014: Social Media Presence Milestone
In April 2014, Yoko Ono's Twitter followers reached 4.69 million, while her Instagram followers exceeded 99,000, highlighting her effective use of social media to promote her art and share inspirational messages.
2014: Imagine Peace Exhibit
In 2014 Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace exhibit opened at the Bob Rauschenburg Gallery in Fort Myers, Florida.
2014: Twelfth Number One Hit
In 2014, "Angel" became Yoko Ono's twelfth number one hit on the US Dance chart.
2014: Contribution to Folkestone Art Festival
In 2014, Yoko Ono contributed several artworks to the triennial Folkestone art festival, showcasing her continued involvement in contemporary art and her commitment to public engagement through her work.
2014: Earth Peace Installation
In 2014, Yoko Ono installed Earth Peace as part of the Folkestone Triennial, consisting of posters, stickers, billboards, badges and more around Folkestone.
2014: Mentioned in Elbow's "New York Morning"
In 2014, the British band Elbow mentioned Yoko Ono in their song "New York Morning", leading to an open letter from Ono to the band, thanking them.
2015: Arising in Venice
In 2015, Yoko Ono created the piece Arising in Venice as part of the exhibition Personal Structures.
2015: Live Performances
In 2015, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band continued to perform live.
2015: MoMA Retrospective and European Cultural Centre Art Award
In 2015, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City held a retrospective exhibition of Yoko Ono's early work, "Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971". Yoko Ono also received the European Cultural Centre Art Award in 2015 for her continuing efforts to promote "Imagine Peace".
2015: MoMA Retrospective
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City presented a retrospective of Yoko Ono's artwork in 2015, further solidifying her place in the art world and increasing public appreciation of her contributions.
February 16, 2016: Yes, I'm a Witch Too Release
On February 16, 2016, Manimal Vinyl released Yes, I'm a Witch Too, which features remixes and received critical acclaim.
February 26, 2016: Hospitalization
On February 26, 2016, Yoko Ono was hospitalized due to extreme flu symptoms, following rumors of a possible stroke.
September 6, 2016: Album Re-issuing Announcement
On September 6, 2016, Secretly Canadian announced the re-issuing of 11 of Yoko Ono's albums from 1968 to 1985.
October 2016: Permanent Art Installation
In October 2016, Yoko Ono unveiled her first permanent art installation in the United States, located in Jackson Park, Chicago, promoting peace.
December 2016: Billboard Ranking
In December 2016, Billboard magazine named Yoko Ono the 11th most successful dance club artist of all time.
2016: Billboard Recognition
In 2016, Yoko Ono was named the 11th most successful dance club artist of all time by Billboard magazine.
2016: Imagine Peace Returned to Houston
In 2016, the Imagine Peace exhibit returned to Houston through the Deborah Colton Gallery.
October 2018: Warzone Album Release
In October 2018, Yoko Ono released Warzone, which included new versions of previously recorded tracks including "Imagine".
2019: Add Color (Refugee Boat) Installation
In 2019, Yoko Ono presented her participatory installation Add Color (Refugee Boat) (1960/2019) at Lower Manhattan's River to River Festival.
January 2021: Founder of The Coda Collection
In January 2021, Yoko Ono was one of the founders of The Coda Collection, a service featuring music documentaries and concert films, showcasing her continued involvement in music and culture.
February 18, 2021: Launch of The Coda Collection
On February 18, 2021, Yoko Ono's 88th birthday, The Coda Collection launched in the U.S. via Amazon Prime Video Channels, marking a new way for fans to connect with music and culture on a deeper level.
November 2021: Withdrawal from Public Life
In November 2021, it was noted that Yoko Ono had "withdrawn from public life", with her son Sean acting as the public representative for the family's interests in the Beatles' business.
