News | Entertainment
20 Oct 2025 14:47
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Never-before-heard interviews with Beatles legend John Lennon have been unearthed as a result of a cleaning spree during lockdown

    The family of late journalist Ken Zeilig were amazed to discover the tapes which contained recordings of conversations between him and the 'Imagine' songwriter - who was murdered outside The Dakota apartment building in New York City in 1980 at the age of 40


    His daughter Hannah Zeilig said: "We always knew from him that he’d hung out with John Lennon and that he’d interviewed John Lennon. But we never heard the interview. He didn’t mention he’d spent time with Yoko Ono as well, which he clearly had."

    The 12 reel-to-reel recordings comprise of three separate interviews thought to have taken place on separate occasions in 1969 and the early 1970s.

    Hannah told Global News: “My sister, who lives in LA, was clearing out her garage and she found a whole bunch of boxes. She wasn’t looking for anything in particular. She was looking to do one of those pandemic clear-outs that we all did"

    In one of the interviews, Lennon - who married Japanese artist Yoko in 1969 - admits to being "prejudiced" towards his own music when asked to name his favourite songs and goes on to discuss his creative process.

    Hannah added: “I found that absolutely extraordinary and so insightful. Like, forget all those self-help books. John Lennon, just, like, puts it really well.”

    The tapes are now up for auction under the guidance of Omega Auctions and are expected to fetch up to $50,000

    Staff at Omega Auctions were quick to share their excitement over the historic discovery.

    Paul Fairweather said: “Just reading the transcripts before we actually heard them was fascinating in itself. hen we actually heard them, it was amazing to hear John speaking because they’re such clear audio recordings that it feels that he’s actually sat in the room with you."

    The tapes will be auctioned off on September 28.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     20 Oct: Tyra Banks missed Victoria's Secret 2025 Fashion Show because she was promoting her Australian ice cream shop's new concept
     20 Oct: Al Pacino was "shaken" by the passing of his The Godfather co-star Diane Keaton
     20 Oct: Charlie Puth is expecting his first child with wife Brooke Sansone
     20 Oct: Cardi B has blasted haters who are "trying to take endorsements" from her
     20 Oct: Bette Midler "always adored" the "inimitable" Diane Keaton
     20 Oct: The true political fights of One Battle After Another unfortunately happen on the edges of the frame
     20 Oct: Sofia Richie Grainge is expecting her second child
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    North Otago coach Luke Herden reckons they're peaking at the business end of rugby's Heartland Championship More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand's latest inflation hike - isn't likely to change much for the Reserve Bank More...



     Today's News

    Health & Safety:
    Tattoo-related injuries are costing the country hundreds of thousands of dollars a year 14:37

    Cricket:
    Fast bowler Nathan Smith's noticing all the extras OFF the pitch in international cricket 14:37

    International:
    Limp Bizkit bandmates pay tribute to bassist Sam Rivers after death at 48 14:37

    Entertainment:
    Tyra Banks missed Victoria's Secret 2025 Fashion Show because she was promoting her Australian ice cream shop's new concept 14:30

    Law and Order:
    Police have named a wanted man, after an alleged homicide at Pahiatua, near Palmerston North - as Jeremy Robertson 14:17

    Motoring:
    F1 standings: Oscar Piastri says too early for McLaren to prioritise drivers as Max Verstappen continues charge 14:17

    Entertainment:
    Al Pacino was "shaken" by the passing of his The Godfather co-star Diane Keaton 14:00

    Business:
    New Zealand's latest inflation hike - isn't likely to change much for the Reserve Bank 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Charlie Puth is expecting his first child with wife Brooke Sansone 13:30

    International:
    Drone footage reveals Gaza City's destruction as people return home during ceasefire 13:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd