Conceived, recorded and put out in the course of ten days at the end of January after returning to London
from New Year’s in Denmark (see previously), the single Instant Karma! was released on this day in 1970 in the US (credited to the Plastic Ono Band for other markets expect in America, where the by-line went to John Ono Lennon) going on the be the first solo work from an ex-Beatles member to sell over a million copies. The song presupposes living with the immediate consequences of one’s decisions and action rather than borne out over lifetime—or the next. Heralded already for his pacifist activities, the couple pledged to donate all future royalties to the peace movement. Personnel included former bandmate George Harrison, Yoko Ono and Billy Preston on instruments and backing vocals. On the B-side was Ono’s gentle acoustic ballad “Who Has Seen the Wind?,” taken from a nineteenth century Christina Rossetti poem.

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synchronoptica
one year ago: assorted links worth revisiting (with synchronoptica)
seven years ago: Mister Roger’s Neighbourhood (1968) plus modular cardboard feline furniture
eight years ago: Stars Wars anniversary edition action figures plus more links to enjoy
nine years ago: death taxes, gravitational waves and the Underworld, charting radio-ownership plus the imprisoned paint portraits of the biggest criminals
ten years ago: even more links, urban beekeeping plus an appreciation of sci-fi authors