What do you think?
Rate this book
We All Shine On: John, Yoko, and Me
🎧Listening Length = 9 hours and 11 minutes
A personal and revealing look at the last ten years of John Lennon’s life and his partnership with Yoko Ono, written by the friend who knew them best
In 1972, Elliot Mintz installed a red light in his bedroom in Laurel Canyon. When it started flashing, it meant that either John Lennon or Yoko Ono—or sometimes both—were calling him. Which they did almost every day for nearly ten years, engaging Mintz in hours-long late-night phone conversations that all but consumed him for the better part of a decade.
In We All Shine On, Mintz—a former radio and television host in Los Angeles—recounts the story of how their unlikely friendship began and where it led him over the years, revealing the ups and downs of a wild, touching, heartbreaking, and sometimes shocking relationship. Mintz takes readers inside John and Yoko’s inner sanctums, including their expansive seventh-floor apartment in New York’s fabled Dakota building, where Mintz was something of a semipermanent fixture, ultimately becoming the Lennons’ closest and most trusted confidant. Mintz was with John and Yoko through creative highs, relationship and private challenges, fascinating interactions with the other former Beatles, and the happiest moment of their lives together, the birth of their son, Sean. He was also by Yoko’s side during the aftermath of John’s assassination on the doorstep of the Dakota—not merely a witness to it all, but a key figure in the drama of John and Yoko’s extraordinary lives.
We All Shine On is a must-read for Beatles and Lennon fans, offering an up close and intimate view of one of the most celebrated artists of the twentieth century, as well as one of the most fascinating marriages. But it’s also a relationship story that just about everyone can relate to, a tale about partnership, loyalty, and trust, and most of all, the lasting legacy of a true and deep friendship.
A personal and revealing look at the last ten years of John Lennon’s life and his partnership with Yoko Ono, written by the friend who knew them best
In 1972, Elliot Mintz installed a red light in his bedroom in Laurel Canyon. When it started flashing, it meant that either John Lennon or Yoko Ono—or sometimes both—were calling him. Which they did almost every day for nearly ten years, engaging Mintz in hours-long late-night phone conversations that all but consumed him for the better part of a decade.
In We All Shine On, Mintz—a former radio and television host in Los Angeles—recounts the story of how their unlikely friendship began and where it led him over the years, revealing the ups and downs of a wild, touching, heartbreaking, and sometimes shocking relationship. Mintz takes readers inside John and Yoko’s inner sanctums, including their expansive seventh-floor apartment in New York’s fabled Dakota building, where Mintz was something of a semipermanent fixture, ultimately becoming the Lennons’ closest and most trusted confidant. Mintz was with John and Yoko through creative highs, relationship and private challenges, fascinating interactions with the other former Beatles, and the happiest moment of their lives together, the birth of their son, Sean. He was also by Yoko’s side during the aftermath of John’s assassination on the doorstep of the Dakota—not merely a witness to it all, but a key figure in the drama of John and Yoko’s extraordinary lives.
We All Shine On is a must-read for Beatles and Lennon fans, offering an up close and intimate view of one of the most celebrated artists of the twentieth century, as well as one of the most fascinating marriages. But it’s also a relationship story that just about everyone can relate to, a tale about partnership, loyalty, and trust, and most of all, the lasting legacy of a true and deep friendship.
Audiobook
Published October 22, 2024
102 people are currently reading
732 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
October 2, 2025
Such an interesting memoir, told with so much compassion and honesty. Loved it.
January 25, 2025
"Memory is a curious thing. Even today, all these years later, I can vividly recall John [Lennon's] voice on the phone - his lilting Liverpool accent, the silly dialects he would sometimes put on when he was feeling happy, his clenched tone when he was not - as if I'd hung up with him only minutes ago." -- on page 83
I first recall hearing of author Mintz - or, rather, make that HEARD him - when he hosted a weekly syndicated radio series called The Lost Lennon Tapes some thirty-five years ago. (It was aired on Philadelphia's then-nascent but now dearly-departed classic rock station WYSP-FM every Sunday morning, and I listened to it religiously after church - pun intended, in my best Lennonesque wit - during my high school years.) Since that was the pre-Internet era of having information immediately at one's fingertips, I sort of wondered how Mintz had such an inside line on the late John Lennon. I later learned he was a friend / companion / major domo of sorts to Lennon and wife Yoko Ono after they had moved to New York City in 1971. After appearances in Beatles- and/or Lennon-related documentaries, and on the eve of his 80th birthday, Mintz has finally authored a memoir recalling his near-decade worth of experiences with the Lennon / Ono duo in the lively We All Shine On. It was a surprisingly candid work, with Mintz detailing his segue from popular interviewer on the Los Angeles talk radio circuit in the late 60's (how he first 'met' them via long-distance phone calls to his show) to having a front row seat to the celebrity couple's life during the eventful 70's. I would argue that the duo were simultaneously very open about their lives yet also guarded at the same time about certain aspects, so Mintz's book was often an illuminating and nimble narrative. It's neither a puff piece nor cantankerous tell-all, but a seemingly honest and usually interesting read for Lennon's legion of fans.
I first recall hearing of author Mintz - or, rather, make that HEARD him - when he hosted a weekly syndicated radio series called The Lost Lennon Tapes some thirty-five years ago. (It was aired on Philadelphia's then-nascent but now dearly-departed classic rock station WYSP-FM every Sunday morning, and I listened to it religiously after church - pun intended, in my best Lennonesque wit - during my high school years.) Since that was the pre-Internet era of having information immediately at one's fingertips, I sort of wondered how Mintz had such an inside line on the late John Lennon. I later learned he was a friend / companion / major domo of sorts to Lennon and wife Yoko Ono after they had moved to New York City in 1971. After appearances in Beatles- and/or Lennon-related documentaries, and on the eve of his 80th birthday, Mintz has finally authored a memoir recalling his near-decade worth of experiences with the Lennon / Ono duo in the lively We All Shine On. It was a surprisingly candid work, with Mintz detailing his segue from popular interviewer on the Los Angeles talk radio circuit in the late 60's (how he first 'met' them via long-distance phone calls to his show) to having a front row seat to the celebrity couple's life during the eventful 70's. I would argue that the duo were simultaneously very open about their lives yet also guarded at the same time about certain aspects, so Mintz's book was often an illuminating and nimble narrative. It's neither a puff piece nor cantankerous tell-all, but a seemingly honest and usually interesting read for Lennon's legion of fans.
September 29, 2025
A trip down memory lane that captures the essence of an era when rock 'n' roll was more than just music—it was a way of life. Mintz, a former radio personality, recounts his serendipitous journey from a casual acquaintance to a trusted confidant of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The story kicks off with Mintz's initial encounter with Ono, which quickly morphs into a deep, albeit unconventional relationship involving Lennon. Mintz's portrayal of their bond is both candid and affectionate, capturing the eccentricities and complexities of living alongside such influential figures, stepping into a Strawberry Fields Forever dream, with moments that feel as surreal as Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
Packing anecdotes that strip away the myth and media sensationalism surrounding Lennon and Ono, Mintz doesn't shy away from revealing Lennon's darker moments, including his battles with substance abuse and his volatile temperament. Yet, he balances these revelations with tales of Lennon's childlike wonder and creative genius. Ono, on the other hand, emerges as a figure of resilience and mystery, navigating the challenges of fame with a mix of generosity and guardedness. Mintz's writing is engaging and reflective, offering readers a nuanced perspective on the couple's private lives.
What makes this memoir a real gas is Mintz's knack for mixing personal vibes with the broader scene. His story isn't just a blow-by-blow of events but a far-out meditation on the nature of celebrity and the quirks of relationships. The memoir's heavy conclusion, detailing the aftermath of Lennon's tragic exit, underscores the deep groove the couple left on Mintz's life. Whether you're a die-hard Beatles fan or just curious about the fame game, Mintz's memoir is a groovy read that shines a light on the enigmatic world of John and Yoko. A day in the life of a strange journey that leaves you pondering the mind games of fame.
I listened to the audiobook, which was read with candor and intimacy by the author. I recommend you do so as well. I am certain you will dig it too.
Packing anecdotes that strip away the myth and media sensationalism surrounding Lennon and Ono, Mintz doesn't shy away from revealing Lennon's darker moments, including his battles with substance abuse and his volatile temperament. Yet, he balances these revelations with tales of Lennon's childlike wonder and creative genius. Ono, on the other hand, emerges as a figure of resilience and mystery, navigating the challenges of fame with a mix of generosity and guardedness. Mintz's writing is engaging and reflective, offering readers a nuanced perspective on the couple's private lives.
What makes this memoir a real gas is Mintz's knack for mixing personal vibes with the broader scene. His story isn't just a blow-by-blow of events but a far-out meditation on the nature of celebrity and the quirks of relationships. The memoir's heavy conclusion, detailing the aftermath of Lennon's tragic exit, underscores the deep groove the couple left on Mintz's life. Whether you're a die-hard Beatles fan or just curious about the fame game, Mintz's memoir is a groovy read that shines a light on the enigmatic world of John and Yoko. A day in the life of a strange journey that leaves you pondering the mind games of fame.
I listened to the audiobook, which was read with candor and intimacy by the author. I recommend you do so as well. I am certain you will dig it too.
November 3, 2024
I've been aware of Elliot Mintz since John Lennon's assassination in December 1980, as Mintz stepped forward as the Lennon's publicist at that point. I would occasionally see him in documentaries about the Lennons or read about him in Beatles/Lennon related books, since he was such an insider. He was someone that was implicitly trusted by the Lennons. So when I saw this memoir from Mintz, I jumped at the chance to read it. Honestly, I was very surprised he was writing it, with Yoko Ono still alive (but in her 90s, feeble, and tucked away somewhere unseen) and of course John and Yoko's son Sean Lennon. I have to think that they consented to him writing this since he was such a part of the family. Also, after having read it, he didn't do a hatchet job ala the late author Albert Goldman. Much like the way Mintz functioned as the Lennons' publicist, he shared his experiences with the Lennons in an honest and classy way. I have no doubt that he could have written multiple volumes of memoirs on the Lennons with all that he knows, and unleash a no holds barred assault with unattractive behavior that every human being has, but Mintz found a way to tell his unique life story with the Lennons, giving fans some new kernels of information to covet, while still keeping his loyalty to the Lennon family.
Mintz tells the story of how he connected with Yoko Ono Lennon after playing her new album "Fly" on his overnight radio show in LA back in the early seventies. Afterwards, he invited her to do a phone interview- which she greatly appreciated- since other interviewers focused mostly on her husband John. A thank you call to Elliot launched a whole new relationship of daily hours long phone calls from Yoko- and later- also from John. Elliot wound up having to install a separate phone line at home just for their calls. This spearheaded a decades long friendship, probably the closest I've ever heard of with the Lennons. Directly following John's murder, Elliot was one of the only people Yoko could trust, as other employees started pilfering John's belongings to make money, writing books, and this only added to the devastation Yoko had to deal with. She tasked Elliot with taking inventory of all John's belongings after his death. As he slogged along in this incredibly poignant task, opening one closet revealed John's Sargent Pepper uniform as well as the suit he wore when The Beatles first performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. This is an interesting and moving memoir which uncovers yet another shaft of light into the subject of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Mintz tells the story of how he connected with Yoko Ono Lennon after playing her new album "Fly" on his overnight radio show in LA back in the early seventies. Afterwards, he invited her to do a phone interview- which she greatly appreciated- since other interviewers focused mostly on her husband John. A thank you call to Elliot launched a whole new relationship of daily hours long phone calls from Yoko- and later- also from John. Elliot wound up having to install a separate phone line at home just for their calls. This spearheaded a decades long friendship, probably the closest I've ever heard of with the Lennons. Directly following John's murder, Elliot was one of the only people Yoko could trust, as other employees started pilfering John's belongings to make money, writing books, and this only added to the devastation Yoko had to deal with. She tasked Elliot with taking inventory of all John's belongings after his death. As he slogged along in this incredibly poignant task, opening one closet revealed John's Sargent Pepper uniform as well as the suit he wore when The Beatles first performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. This is an interesting and moving memoir which uncovers yet another shaft of light into the subject of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
November 2, 2024
ARC for review. Published October 22, 2024.
Strong 4+ stars for this one.
Mintz was a close friend of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their Dakota years and he shares a bit of that life. He says he was “consumed” by them for most of a decade and if his story is true this was the type of fealty they demanded from the hose they considered their friends…although I’m not quite sure that “friend” is exactly the right term to use here. Month had a red light in his bedroom so he wouldn’t miss one of their calls, regardless of the time. That sounds more like an employee to me.
Anyway, the book offered an interesting look at a short period in the couple’s life up to and including John’s death. I’m not a super fan yet I found it fascinating.
Strong 4+ stars for this one.
Mintz was a close friend of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their Dakota years and he shares a bit of that life. He says he was “consumed” by them for most of a decade and if his story is true this was the type of fealty they demanded from the hose they considered their friends…although I’m not quite sure that “friend” is exactly the right term to use here. Month had a red light in his bedroom so he wouldn’t miss one of their calls, regardless of the time. That sounds more like an employee to me.
Anyway, the book offered an interesting look at a short period in the couple’s life up to and including John’s death. I’m not a super fan yet I found it fascinating.
January 23, 2025
Unlike other Beatles books.(I've researched over 600, saw Yoko and Sean perform small club, met 1st wife Cynthia and gf May Pang. Mintz was John and Yoko's closest confidant during Dakota years. Whole different view of them, eccentric, sometimes contradictory human beings, in their own little world. Let him into their inner sanctum calling him daily, hours long conversations, visiting, travelling with them. They confide in him, he put his life on hold to answer their beck and call;he laments not having his own family. I do question though: he says John only mentioned May once in their conversations, despite her being his companion for 18 months during California "lost weekend" Yoko separation(May claims she continued to see John as late as '77). Mintz' witnessing of Paul and Linda's awkward Xmas visit to to Dakota is revealing. Of course, he's not going to say anything really bad about John and Yoko. Recommended, for a unique view of two different artists and personalities.
November 23, 2024
What a gift Elliot Mintz has given John Lennon and The Beatles fans with his memoir, WE ALL SHINE ON. There have been many books written about Lennon/The Beatles over the years and decades, and I’ve read a lot of them. And though there are a lot of good ones out there, well researched and including quotes from the key players, this one feels personal—because it is. Mintz tells us, the readers, stories of and conversations with his close friends, who just happened to be John Lennon and Yoko Ono. He takes us into their world, and his descriptions of his many late-night phone conversations really show them as human beings and not just larger than life celebrities that they were (and still are). As cliché as it is to say, Mintz really brings John to life. For example, there is a funny story about Mintz letting John (a notoriously bad driver) drive his car around an empty McDonald’s parking lot that’s not to be missed.
The memoir covers the years 1971 to 1981, and includes the time John spent in LA during his 18-month long “Lost Weekend,” his separation from Yoko. Mintz, who lives in LA, was asked by Yoko to keep John safe, which was a tall task. John, of course, fell in with a crowd of partiers like Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, etc, and basically hit rock bottom. Though at the same time somehow managed to record his “Rock and Roll” album of cover songs, produced by Phil Spector. Mintz witnessed some of these legendary (i.e. crazy) recording sessions first-hand, and this is what makes the book such a standout: a first-hand account by someone who was not only there, but was also a trusted friend of the Lennons. Mintz also brings the reader into The Dakota, the Lennon’s home, and the late-night bull sessions, sitting in the kitchen, or the bedroom, Mintz in his preferred wicker chair. And of course, at the end, when Mintz arrives at The Dakota after Lennon’s death, to comfort and help Yoko any way he can.
I’ve heard Mintz in recent interviews make the joke that he decided to write the book now, otherwise people would soon need a Ouija board to interview him. He makes a good point. Soon people from that era, who knew The Beatles and witnessed or were part of the whole whirlwind, will no longer be with us. Paul and Ringo have given hundreds of interviews, but will they ever write their own memoirs? Pete Best could give some fresh insights into the early days too.
Thank you Elliot Mintz, for putting these stories and insights down on paper.
The memoir covers the years 1971 to 1981, and includes the time John spent in LA during his 18-month long “Lost Weekend,” his separation from Yoko. Mintz, who lives in LA, was asked by Yoko to keep John safe, which was a tall task. John, of course, fell in with a crowd of partiers like Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, etc, and basically hit rock bottom. Though at the same time somehow managed to record his “Rock and Roll” album of cover songs, produced by Phil Spector. Mintz witnessed some of these legendary (i.e. crazy) recording sessions first-hand, and this is what makes the book such a standout: a first-hand account by someone who was not only there, but was also a trusted friend of the Lennons. Mintz also brings the reader into The Dakota, the Lennon’s home, and the late-night bull sessions, sitting in the kitchen, or the bedroom, Mintz in his preferred wicker chair. And of course, at the end, when Mintz arrives at The Dakota after Lennon’s death, to comfort and help Yoko any way he can.
I’ve heard Mintz in recent interviews make the joke that he decided to write the book now, otherwise people would soon need a Ouija board to interview him. He makes a good point. Soon people from that era, who knew The Beatles and witnessed or were part of the whole whirlwind, will no longer be with us. Paul and Ringo have given hundreds of interviews, but will they ever write their own memoirs? Pete Best could give some fresh insights into the early days too.
Thank you Elliot Mintz, for putting these stories and insights down on paper.
December 28, 2024
Was it a millionaire who said, "Imagine no possessions"? - Elvis Costello, "The Other Side of Summer"
I already knew that John Lennon was no angel, but this brief memoir by John & Yoko's friend/assistant/babysitter portrays the Clever Beatle as a hapless narcissist who expected Mintz to be available 24/7 for jobs ranging from menial to impossible. Yoko was more capable but equally demanding, and obsessed with using psychics and numerology to guide her actions. In his nine year career as the Lennon-Ono's lackey, Mintz was asked to: find a NYC doctor to give the couple weight-loss injections (from LA); hire a PI to find a potential business partner's birth date so Yoko could vet him with her astrologist; give the millionaire Beatle a few hundo so he could gamble in Vegas; and accompany John on a nighttime spree to stop him from drinking, and report back on his behavior to Mother/Yoko. Mintz eventually had an extra phone line installed in his LA house so he would never miss a call from his overlords...I mean, friends.
The book is competently written, but Mintz engages in a LOT of name dropping, implying that his encounters with scores of celebrities were related to some personal magic, instead of being the natural result of hanging out with two of the most famous people in the world. He alludes to being estranged from his biological family, with John & Yoko serving as surrogate parents, but other than mentioning a few women (mostly nameless) that he slept with, he basically had no life outside of addressing their every whim.
I am somewhat regretful that I read this, but YMMV if you're not bothered by the warning to "never meet your heroes."
I already knew that John Lennon was no angel, but this brief memoir by John & Yoko's friend/assistant/babysitter portrays the Clever Beatle as a hapless narcissist who expected Mintz to be available 24/7 for jobs ranging from menial to impossible. Yoko was more capable but equally demanding, and obsessed with using psychics and numerology to guide her actions. In his nine year career as the Lennon-Ono's lackey, Mintz was asked to: find a NYC doctor to give the couple weight-loss injections (from LA); hire a PI to find a potential business partner's birth date so Yoko could vet him with her astrologist; give the millionaire Beatle a few hundo so he could gamble in Vegas; and accompany John on a nighttime spree to stop him from drinking, and report back on his behavior to Mother/Yoko. Mintz eventually had an extra phone line installed in his LA house so he would never miss a call from his overlords...I mean, friends.
The book is competently written, but Mintz engages in a LOT of name dropping, implying that his encounters with scores of celebrities were related to some personal magic, instead of being the natural result of hanging out with two of the most famous people in the world. He alludes to being estranged from his biological family, with John & Yoko serving as surrogate parents, but other than mentioning a few women (mostly nameless) that he slept with, he basically had no life outside of addressing their every whim.
I am somewhat regretful that I read this, but YMMV if you're not bothered by the warning to "never meet your heroes."
September 7, 2025
I listened on Audible and Elliot's narration of 'We All Shine On' is absolutely perfect. His voice is so calm and engaging, and it truly feels like you're sitting with him, hearing these incredible stories directly from the source and you can hear the fondness in his voice that he had for John and Yoko. This is more than just a book, it's a deeply personal memoir and it's so clear that Elliot had a deep and genuine friendship with them, and his memories are shared with such honesty and respect.
August 24, 2025
A very sincere and heartfelt portrait of John and Yoko as told by their closest friend and confidant Elliot Mintz who was an LA DJ, journalist and radio interviewer who became spokesmen for the family. Mintz relates his travels, trials, and tribulations in the 1970’s with Lennon and Ono and despite some pretty rough accounts it still felt to me like he was holding back but I could be wrong.
I first heard of Mintz with his weekly radio program The Lost Lennon Tapes which I listened to religiously on Sunday nights in the late 1980’s finding it fascinating to hear interviews, clips, demos, and song takes by John Lennon.
I first heard of Mintz with his weekly radio program The Lost Lennon Tapes which I listened to religiously on Sunday nights in the late 1980’s finding it fascinating to hear interviews, clips, demos, and song takes by John Lennon.
January 12, 2025
This isn’t a spicy tell-all, more a nostalgic trip down memory lane for a long-time associate of the Lennons. No big revelations but good if you’re curious what being John Lennon’s friend might be like. This is a sympathetic portrayal but sometimes they come across as Michael Jackson weird (amusingly they were antivax before it was cool).
Highlights include his trip to Japan with John, which almost felt like a buddy comedy.
Highlights include his trip to Japan with John, which almost felt like a buddy comedy.
February 5, 2025
The book I just finished reading offered the reader a glimpse into the world of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It takes the reader from 1971 to 1980 and gives people a look into their lives and the friends in which they made along the way
April 26, 2025
Quite the read!
October 10, 2024
Thank you so much to @duttonbooks for sending me a copy of WE ALL SHINE ON: JOHN, YOKO, AND ME by Elliot Mintz which goes on sale Tuesday, October 22. I received the book Monday and immediately started reading it. If you are a Beatles or John Lennon fan, you will want to add this to your TBR!
Elliot Mintz was a radio host in the early 1970s, and after he listened to one of Yoko Ono’s albums, scheduled her for an interview. He was careful not to ask her about John Lennon, focusing on her own artwork instead. The next day, Yoko called him to thank him. That began a friendship with Yoko that is ostensibly still ongoing, and a ten-year friendship with John that is the subject of the memoir. Because the emphasis is on the Ono-Lennons in the 1970s, the other Beatles are only mentioned in passing, and I thought that was a very sound choice for the book.
I’ve read books about the Beatles and biographies of John Lennon, and I found this to be refreshingly new. While it doesn’t change anything material I knew about or thought of Lennon, Mintz was so close to Yoko and John that his stories are told with details and observations only an intimate friend can relay.
Mintz asserts that because he interviewed so many famous people on his show, he was immune to being starstruck and always treated John and Yoko as “just people.” (In support, he relates instances when he gave John some hard and frank truths!) In response, they were comfortable with him and trusted him, but it required sacrifice on his part. He spent hours each day in conversation with either/both of them, and in many ways his world revolved around them. He even had a separate line installed in his house just for them, and when it rang, a red light flashed in his bedroom (on his own initiative, not their request). It’s hard to imagine this isn’t the behavior of a starstruck apostle. In exchange for his devotion, he received access to the inner sanctum and what seems to be genuine love and friendship from John and Yoko.
I couldn’t help but wonder if I would or could ever table my own life for someone(s)!
I thought the writing of the memoir solid, even elegant, though I could have done without a few Beatle lyrics that were included to underline points. Sometimes authors of memoirs discuss their process, such as if they consult a diary or triangulate with people who were familiar with events. Here, Mintz doesn’t provide that information, nor does he reveal if anyone (i.e., Yoko or Sean) read the manuscript before publication. Unlike most memoirs, it has an index, though. Not criticisms, just observations!
Elliot Mintz was a radio host in the early 1970s, and after he listened to one of Yoko Ono’s albums, scheduled her for an interview. He was careful not to ask her about John Lennon, focusing on her own artwork instead. The next day, Yoko called him to thank him. That began a friendship with Yoko that is ostensibly still ongoing, and a ten-year friendship with John that is the subject of the memoir. Because the emphasis is on the Ono-Lennons in the 1970s, the other Beatles are only mentioned in passing, and I thought that was a very sound choice for the book.
I’ve read books about the Beatles and biographies of John Lennon, and I found this to be refreshingly new. While it doesn’t change anything material I knew about or thought of Lennon, Mintz was so close to Yoko and John that his stories are told with details and observations only an intimate friend can relay.
Mintz asserts that because he interviewed so many famous people on his show, he was immune to being starstruck and always treated John and Yoko as “just people.” (In support, he relates instances when he gave John some hard and frank truths!) In response, they were comfortable with him and trusted him, but it required sacrifice on his part. He spent hours each day in conversation with either/both of them, and in many ways his world revolved around them. He even had a separate line installed in his house just for them, and when it rang, a red light flashed in his bedroom (on his own initiative, not their request). It’s hard to imagine this isn’t the behavior of a starstruck apostle. In exchange for his devotion, he received access to the inner sanctum and what seems to be genuine love and friendship from John and Yoko.
I couldn’t help but wonder if I would or could ever table my own life for someone(s)!
I thought the writing of the memoir solid, even elegant, though I could have done without a few Beatle lyrics that were included to underline points. Sometimes authors of memoirs discuss their process, such as if they consult a diary or triangulate with people who were familiar with events. Here, Mintz doesn’t provide that information, nor does he reveal if anyone (i.e., Yoko or Sean) read the manuscript before publication. Unlike most memoirs, it has an index, though. Not criticisms, just observations!
May 1, 2025
Having found Mintz quite smarmy and difficult to like in any TV or film appearance about John and Yoko, I wasn’t sure about this book. However, he actually comes across much better in print and fills in much of his own backstory and how he came to be part of John and Yoko’s circle.
He is a terrible name dropper but marries this with a seemingly genuine bemusement at how his life has turned out and the people he’s met. I’m always curious when people recall conversations verbatim from many years ago but he does capture John’s speaking style.
Just as John liked Yoko’s (real or pretend) ignorance of The Beatles, so they both found in Mintz that his lack of awe or pestering them with fan questions, made him the perfect assistant. His willingness to be available almost 24/7 also serving in his favour. He has traded something of his own life and dreams to spend almost in the service of John and Yoko. There was a honesty to this reflection that I wasn’t expecting.
He is a terrible name dropper but marries this with a seemingly genuine bemusement at how his life has turned out and the people he’s met. I’m always curious when people recall conversations verbatim from many years ago but he does capture John’s speaking style.
Just as John liked Yoko’s (real or pretend) ignorance of The Beatles, so they both found in Mintz that his lack of awe or pestering them with fan questions, made him the perfect assistant. His willingness to be available almost 24/7 also serving in his favour. He has traded something of his own life and dreams to spend almost in the service of John and Yoko. There was a honesty to this reflection that I wasn’t expecting.
February 2, 2025
Even though I’ve read a lot about the Beatles over the years, the name Elliot Mintz is not a name I recall coming up very often. Mintz is a West Coast DJ, who became the chief confidant of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during the 70’s.
This volume really gives you some insight into the couple during this period. I came out of it realizing how human John was (warts and all) and what an emotionally strong person Yoko was. The fact that they didn’t get to grow old together is truly a crime.
This volume really gives you some insight into the couple during this period. I came out of it realizing how human John was (warts and all) and what an emotionally strong person Yoko was. The fact that they didn’t get to grow old together is truly a crime.
February 5, 2025
I am a huge Beatles fan. I remember the night I found out John was killed as if it were yesterday. This memoir by Elliot Mintz, gives an insider look to his relationship with the couple in th 9 years prior to John's death. Not a tell-all, but more an honest reflection of them as people, warts & all. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author. I highly recommend it.
March 16, 2025
Elliot Mintz is a good storyteller, who knows if all of these stories actually happened! One takeaway I got is that neither John nor Yoko were thoughtful, kind people. Just look at the example of how they treated poor Julian, John's first child. Even though I enjoyed reading the book and actually enjoyed the name-dropping, I kind of felt Elliot was a bit of a doormat.
May 27, 2025
A fascinating account of the author's (an American radio presenter who I had never heard of until now) close friendship with John and Yoko throughout the 1970s until John's tragic death in 1980. I listened to the audio book, which was narrated by the author himself
November 20, 2024
A good'un. great perspective, only wish it was longer!
December 10, 2024
A quick read, well written description of an interesting relationship. The author tells some great stories and clearly shows his admiration of John and Yoko. His approach to documenting John's belongings after his death is much more detailed than his recollections, but yet he shares surprisingly detailed accounts of time spent with the famous couple. A recommended read. I literally read it in one day!
February 9, 2025
Enjoyed it. a different look at john, yoko and their boys.
December 29, 2025
Loved every moment of this! Elliot’s recollections are beautiful, poignant and crystal clear ✨
January 9, 2026
Not as juicy as you’d hope but some great stuff in there about John and Yoko you’re probably never gonna read anywhere else
March 7, 2025
Ok ya this was fascinating
January 11, 2026
Yep. It was THAT good. Loved it. Thanks @natalie for the suggestion. And Molly at Heywood Hill! For sending.
November 21, 2024
Through the eyes of a friend (Mintz), this takes you on an interesting journey into the lives of John and Yoko. This narrative drew me in.
January 3, 2026
Really loved reading this intimate memoir. Got a feeling of being a fly on the wall and be part of the personal relationship Elliot Mintz had with Yoko and John.
May 27, 2025
I'm pretty sceptical of a lot of the anecdotes Mintz has described in the book. The level of detail he's able to recall from mundane conversations 50 years ago makes for an entertaining but doubtful read. Especially since most of his stories surround just the three of them, it makes it difficult to refute a lot of his claims.
Regardless, I found the memoir to humanize Yoko in a way I haven't seen before. While already a fan, We all shine on, has helped me appreciate her work just a bit more :)
Regardless, I found the memoir to humanize Yoko in a way I haven't seen before. While already a fan, We all shine on, has helped me appreciate her work just a bit more :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews