Lennon Anti-War Song Will Be Aired Worldwide

Many radio and television stations around the world will broadcast part or all of a version of John Lennon’s anti-war ode “Give Peace a Chance” with new lyrics by his 15-year-old son, Sean, at 7 this morning, and MTV will air the video in its entirety at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The 7 a.m. broadcast will be simultaneous with a transmission to the stations by satellite.

In protest against imminent war in the Persian Gulf region as tonight’s U.N. deadline approaches, musicians from all corners of the globe joined Sean and Yoko Lennon in producing the video remake of Lennon’s powerful 1969 anti-Vietnam pacifist song.

“This is not just some self-promotional stunt,” said producer Danny Schechter, who is preserving documentary footage of the round-the-clock recording sessions. “The artists involved here hope that the video will help galvanize anti-war sentiment in this country.”

Filmed last week in Los Angeles, New York and London, the video features 37 artists including Lenny Kravitz, Peter Gabriel, LL Cool J, Bonny Raitt, Terrence Trent D’Arby, MC Hammer, Tom Petty, Little Richard, Wailers member Joe Higgs, Israeli singer Ofra Haza and Arabian singer Amina.

Kravitz said he initiated the project after receiving letters from soldiers on the front lines in the Persian Gulf who expressed fear of war. He met with Sean and Yoko in New York on Jan. 2 and began recording the song on Jan. 5. The video is due to appear in outlets by Friday.