John Lennon’s Unreleased Danish Tape Sells for a Staggering 79k USD
In an auction held in Copenhagen on Tuesday (Sept 28), a 33‑minute cassette tape—capturing an interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono and an unreleased track, “Radio Peace” — fetched 370,000 Danish crowns (roughly $79,000). It was the find of the day for flattered collectors and Lennonesque aficionados alike.
What Makes It Special?
- Recorded by teen pranksters – Four 16‑year‑old Danish boys negotiated an interview for their school magazine on Jan 5, 1970.
- Inside the duo’s peace campaign – Lennon talks about the “Give Peace a Chance” mantra, his Beatles‑image frustrations, and even the length of his hair.
- Early‑world‑peace anthem – “Radio Peace” repeats “this is Radio Peace” and references the couple’s planned radio station in Amsterdam.
- Christmas‑tree karaoke – The tape captures Lennon and Ono humming and dancing around a tree, with the pair’s voices echoing “Give Peace a Chance.”
The Auction Details
The lot, which also included photographs from the 1969 Denmark visit, opened at 100,000 crowns. Experts had pegged its value between 200,000–300,000 crowns (≈$31,500–$47,000). The winning bidder’s identity remains a secret, but the story of the tape still heats up conversation in the collector’s community.
From Teenagers to Collector: The Journey
- In 1969‑70 – Lennon and Yoko took a break in Northern Denmark, staying at an isolated farm for over a month.
- Questions about peace – The boys asked how they could assist in Lennon’s quest for world peace; Lennon suggested simply to “imagine locally what you can do.”
- Karsten Hojen’s testimony – Now 68, Hojen attended the auction and expressed joy at passing the peace message on:
“Meeting the Lennon and Ono duo profoundly altered our lives. We saw them as modern prophets of peace. I hope the new owner will feel the same spark we did 50 years ago.”
Why It Matters
Beyond the auction’s hefty price tag, this tape is a slice of music history—an intimate look at two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, captured in a domestic, almost goofy Danish setting. It reminds us that peace isn’t just about megachurch rallies; sometimes it’s found in a hallway, a cassette tape, and a group of eager teenagers.
