Q: That's interesting, because the Artwork of John Lennon show here in Austin, Texas, benefits Adopt a Classroom. So --

A: Yeah well it's the same idea. But it's more desperate in the Third World countries. And -- well, I shouldn't have said Third World, because I mean, I think that's not the right expression these days or something. But well, mainly in Africa, I think, they just don't have enough schools. So we're building many schools. Actually, $15,000 makes a school. And I - well kids don't like school. I mean, usually. That's the idea, isn't it? But no, because it was starved for some culture and education and an institution that would give that to them. So the kids are so happy, you know. And I saw the video of kids all smiling and happy studying and everything. And I feel very good about it. And we're doing it every year.

Q: And will you be going to Japan and performing at the show?

A: Yes, I'll be there.

Q: Do you know which song you will do?

A: No, no, no. I'm not going to be doing a song. I'll be there to join them in singing in the end, we sing Imagine and Give Peace a Chance or something like that. I'm there.

Q: That's great. We're talking with Yoko Ono. We have a couple more minutes. And want to remind you that Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Artwork of John Lennon, including original drawings and signed albums and estate pieces and children's drawings and lithographs and serigraphs, they'll all be at the Austin Marriott at the Capitol. Yoko, you've been so busy with your own artwork and traveling so much, have you had a chance to catch your breath this summer at all?

A: Not yet.

Q: What's your next stop? Is the Yes, Yoko Ono retrospective still on tour?

A: Yeah, it is. But I'm going to be doing a performance art in Paris next week. And then there's going to be a show in New York City. It's another art show in [inaudible] gallery. And you know, I get around.

Q: At your Yes Yoko Ono show you had a series of your own visual art and drawings that you had done. I guess you started doing them because you had to talk to so many people like me on the phone all the time. Those drawings are amazing. Is that something you stated doing later in life?

A: Yes, much later in life (laughs). And, you know, as you say, it's sort of like whenever I had time it's just kind of like -- it's nice to do it, so...

Q: What -- who's art do you have in your apartment there? Are there certain artists that you like to surround yourself with?

A: I like Magritte.

Q: Yes.

A: And John and I both loved Magritte. Also that -- that's the first name of an artist's name that came up when we got -- well, the first meeting. Not the first meeting in Indica, but the next meeting when John invited me to his home or something. And he just started talking about the fact that he thought that he was like Magritte. So I said, "Oh, well, okay!"

Q: It's so special to have art in our lives and to surround ourselves with. I have many of the pieces of the artwork of John Lennon at my home. And they just put a smile on my face as I walk through the house. I have some of the line drawings done in Japan. One of my favorites is Hey Brother of John and Sean walking in Central Park.

A: Well it just means that John is there with you in your home, you know. So naturally, you get a smile out of it I suppose.

Q: Well, you there as well and that gives us a smile, too. We've been talking with Yoko Ono. A couple more questions and we'll let you go, Yoko.

First of all, congratulations on your first No. 1 single, Walking on Thin Ice.

A: Right. It's about time, isn't it? It took a long wait, right?

Q: Yeah, but that was always such a wonderful song. Didn't John say something to you after it, like you just cut your first --

A: Number one, yeah.

Q: He did?

A: And he said it on tape. And so there's a CD called "Walking on Thin Ice" with all different songs, including Walking on Thin Ice that's kind of like a collection of. And in that, I put it in, because he said it on tape. The reason being, I'd just sung and, you know, just recorded that part of the track. And then when that was finished, he just said, "Hey, that was your first number 1, Yoko." And, you know, the tape was still running.

Q: He was right.

A: I know, he was right. But he didn't tell me that I had to wait 20 years!

Q: So do you -- and I know you're very busy, but do you think you might tour next year?

A: Yes, I think so. I'm thinking of touring. Maybe it'll be a summer tour, but I am going to do it.

Q: Do you think it would just be the dance music that's made you popular or do you think you might do more of a retrospective?

A: Well, not retrospective so much, but I have some new songs. So maybe, you know...

Q: Well, we look forward to that. And what about John's music? We've heard, you know, there are still some demos that didn't come out. I know that you're not real fond of putting out stuff that's just John on a cassette with a guitar.

A: Well, because he didn't intend to, et cetera. And you know, you have to really think about it in terms of it's alright that it's part of an Anthology or a radio show, but you know, if it's going to be going out there for the critics to review and everything, I don't think he would have liked that. It was just something that John played me at home kind of thing. But -- and he was an artist and believed in the top quality of his songs in that sense. And they're top-quality songs, but it's not been executed yet. But did you know that there's going to be a DVD that's going to come out of John's Lennon Legend? Lennon Legend is a collection of John's songs which were very, very -- actually, they were very, very popular. And so that we made a DVD out of it. Well, we are in the process of making a DVD out of it. And it's going to come out.

Q: Well, we certainly look forward to that. And look forward to the Artwork of John Lennon. I've been to the shows before. It's a beautiful atmosphere at those shows, isn't it?

A: I know, because you know, it turns out that there was a side benefit in the sense that people come and -- knowing that they would appreciate John's work. But they appreciate each other because you know, you bump into another John Lennon fan or something and you say -- you know, you speak the same language. And these days, it's very difficult to -- well, not difficult, but you know, it's -- sometimes it's not easy to meet somebody who still believes in love and peace and things like that. So when you go to John Lennon's art show, of course, surely, people who are John's fans are still believing in peace and love and everything. And it's nice. You know, we speak the same language.

Q: Well, that's why "Come Together" is the perfect title for the Artwork of John Lennon show.

A: I think so, yes.

Q: Yoko, always a pleasure to talk to you. I hope that you'll put Austin, Texas, on your itinerary if you tour next year.

A: Okay. It's nice talking to you again, Jody.

Q: Always a pleasure. Yoko Ono, presenting the Artwork of John Lennon Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Austin Marriott at the Capitol. Have a great rest of 2003, Yoko.

A: Thank you.

Q: Take care.

A: Bye.

Q: Bye.

(End of interview.)