John Lennon ‘Mind Games’ Gets 50th Anniversary Box Sets, Book

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John Lennon’s 1973 solo album, Mind Games, will be commemorated for its 50th anniversary with an Ultimate Edition box set as well as a book described by its publisher as the “definitive exploration―told in revelatory detail―of the writing, recording, and release of his celebrated and magical fourth solo album, and the era that inspired it.” The book, titled simply Mind Games, and authored by Lennon and Yoko Ono, is the first element of the campaign to be announced via Lennon’s social media platforms on Jan. 1. It arrives September 24, 2024 (after intially being announced for June 4), via Thames and Hudson. It can be pre-ordered in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here, where it arrives on Sept. 5.

The original Mind Games album was recorded at the Record Plant in New York City with Lennon producing and released in October 1973 on Capitol Records.

More from the publisher’s announcement: Described by Yoko Ono as “ahead of its time,” Mind Games is a breakthrough album from John Lennon in which he employs a Plastic Ono Band comprising the cream of the crop of New York session musicians―a fan favorite that remains a cult classic ever since its first release on October 29, 1973. This insightful and beautiful 288-page book presents handwritten lyrics, letters, artworks by Lennon and Ono, and previously unseen photography alongside their firsthand commentary about the lyrics, songs, and album artwork, as well as contributions from the musicians, friends, engineers, and key figures involved in the making of this landmark album.

Declaration of Nutopia, April 1, 1973, announced by John & Yoko while waving white handkerchieves as the Nutopian Flag at the press conference having announced the Declaration of Nutopia, Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 42 W 44th Street, NYC, on April 2, 1973 (Photos via JohnLennon.com)

Mind Games was the product of an exceptionally turbulent time for the Lennons. While Nixon and Hoover were attempting to have Lennon deported, John and Yoko endured endless litigations and as the popular press turned on them once again, they bravely rose above it all, continuing their campaigns for non-violent peaceful protest to end the war in Vietnam and for equal rights for women. It was also an exciting time when they both re-embraced mysticism and magical thinking. In this sumptuous volume, text and images from the key players are woven together to reveal not only the details behind the creation, recording, and release of this groundbreaking commercial and skillfully crafted recording, but also to shed new light on a period of transformation and experimentation for Lennon and Ono.

Publication will coincide with extensive publicity surrounding the release of a completely remixed and reissued 6-CD / 2-Blu-ray digital edition of Mind Games, together with the deluxe Mind Games box set, bringing the album to a new generation of listeners. On Feb. 15, Lennon’s social media accounts announced a 4-track, 12″ EP coming for Record Store Day on April 20 to serve as a teaser.