Yoko Ono's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Yoko Ono.

Yoko Ono is a Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist. Her artistic endeavors span various mediums, including performance art and filmmaking. She is best known for her avant-garde art and her marriage to John Lennon, with whom she collaborated on music and peace campaigns. Ono's work often addresses themes of feminism, peace, and social justice, and she continues to be an influential figure in contemporary art and activism.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1980: Commercial Success with "Double Fantasy"

In 1980, Yoko Ono achieved commercial and critical success with the chart-topping album Double Fantasy, a collaboration with John Lennon that was released three weeks before his murder and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

1980: Renewed Collaboration with Lennon

In early 1980, John Lennon heard the B-52's' "Rock Lobster" and, reminded of Yoko Ono's musical style, began collaborating with her again, leading to the album Double Fantasy.

1981: Grammy Award for Double Fantasy

In 1981, Yoko Ono won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Double Fantasy at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards, following John Lennon's death.

1986: Billboard Music Video Awards

In 1986 Yoko Ono's video 'Hell in Paradise' won 'Most Innovative Video' at the Billboard Music Video Awards.

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1997: Reissue of solo recordings and establishment of John Lennon Scholarships

In 1997, Rykodisc reissued Yoko Ono's catalog of solo recordings on CD. In the same year, Ono and the BMI Foundation established the John Lennon Scholarships to honor Lennon's memory.

1998: Reunion with daughter Kyoko

After a long separation, Yoko Ono reunited with her daughter Kyoko in 1998.

2001: Y E S YOKO ONO Retrospective 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. Also in 2001, she received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Liverpool University.

2002: Inauguration of the LennonOno Grant for Peace

In 2002, Yoko Ono inaugurated a biennial $50,000 LennonOno Grant for Peace, demonstrating her commitment to peace and philanthropy.

2002: LennonOno Grant for Peace Inauguration

In 2002, Yoko Ono inaugurated the LennonOno Grant for Peace, awarding $50,000 in prize money to artists living "in regions of conflict" and installed a billboard in Piccadilly Circus with a line from Lennon's "Imagine": "Imagine all the people living life in 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.

April 2003: Walking on Thin Ice Remixes reached number 1

In April 2003, Yoko Ono's Walking on Thin Ice (Remixes) reached number 1 on Billboard's Dance/Club Play chart, giving Ono her first no. 1 hit.

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November 2004: Everyman... Everywoman... hit number 1

In November 2004, Yoko Ono had her 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".

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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 Yes Yoko Ono.

February 16, 2007: Resolution of bodyguard extortion case

On February 16, 2007, Yoko Ono's bodyguard pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and was sentenced to time served, resolving the extortion case that began in December 2006.

January 2008: No No No hit number 1

In January 2008, Yoko Ono's "No No No" reached number 1 on the Dance/Club Play chart.

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June 2009: I'm Not Getting Enough hit number 1

In June 2009, at the age of 76, Yoko Ono achieved her fifth number 1 hit on the Dance/Club Play chart with "I'm Not Getting Enough".

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2009: Golden Lion Award

In 2009, Yoko Ono received a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement from the Venice Biennale.

2009: Anton's Memory Show and Golden Lion Award

In 2009, Yoko Ono showed a selection of new and old work as part of her show "Anton's Memory" in Venice, Italy. She also received a Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement from the Venice Biennale.

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 for her artwork created the year before for autism awareness.

June 29, 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dublin Biennial

On June 29, 2012, Yoko Ono received a lifetime achievement award at the Dublin Biennial. She also visited the crypt of Daniel O'Connell and Dún Laoghaire during her trip to Ireland.

2012: To The Light Exhibition and Oskar Kokoschka Prize

In 2012, Yoko Ono held a major exhibition of her work To The Light at the Serpentine Galleries, London. She also won the 2012 Oskar Kokoschka Prize, Austria's highest award for applied contemporary art.

2012: Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt 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, highlighting her continued activism and advocacy for human rights and environmental causes.

2012: Oskar Kokoschka Prize

In 2012, Yoko Ono received the Oskar Kokoschka Prize, Austria's highest award for applied contemporary art.

February 2013: Acceptance of the Rainer Hildebrandt Medal

In February 2013, Yoko Ono accepted the Rainer Hildebrandt Medal at Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie Museum, awarded to her and John Lennon for their work for peace and human rights.

2014: "Angel" was Ono's twelfth number one on the US Dance chart.

In 2014, "Angel" became Yoko Ono's twelfth number one hit on the US Dance chart.

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December 2016: Named 11th Most Successful Dance Club Artist

In December 2016, Billboard magazine named Yoko Ono the 11th most successful dance club artist of all time.

2016: Billboard's Dance Club Artist Ranking

In 2016, Yoko Ono was named the 11th most successful dance club artist of all time by Billboard magazine, showcasing her continued impact on the music scene.