We All Shine On: John, Yoko, and Me

Elliot Mintz's memoir offers a deeply personal, intimate, and at times heart-rending exploration of his extraordinary friendship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the years following the seismic breakup of The Beatles. As Sean Ono Lennon poignantly states in the foreword, "It's hard to define the relationship Elliot had with our family. But I ultimately think the best word to describe him is: friend. Perhaps our closest friend."

Mintz's life took an irreversible turn the moment he interviewed Yoko Ono on his late-night radio show in September 1971. That initial phone call blossomed into an intense and revealing friendship with Yoko and her husband, John Lennon, a bond that would endure for the rest of their lives. From the tumultuous breakup of The Beatles to the joyous birth of John and Yoko's son Sean, and through the profound grief following John's tragic death and beyond, Elliot was a constant presence, either as a direct witness or a comforting voice on the phone.

Now, for the very first time, Mintz recounts the remarkable story of their unique friendship in this honest and intimate memoir, authorised by the family. He brings the lives of two cultural icons vividly to life, offering a perspective unlike any we have encountered before.

Mojo describes the book as "Credible, candid, detailed and well-written," while the Observer hails it as "A fascinating ringside seat into the psychodrama of the most compelling celebrity couple of the 1970s." i newspaper notes that it adds "A new layer of Lennon understanding," and Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, calls it "Captivating and intimate." Even Kirkus praises it as "A charmingly modest tale of a long brush with stardom."

The Most Intimate Boyhood Friends is not a sensational tell-all, but rather a nuanced and heartfelt account of a genuine connection forged amidst the whirlwind of fame and intense public scrutiny. Mintz's perspective offers a fresh and deeply humanising look at John and Yoko, providing a valuable and moving addition to the vast literature surrounding these legendary figures. It's a testament to the enduring power of true friendship and a poignant reflection on a remarkable chapter in music history.