Ozzy Osbourne Covers John Lennon's 'How' for Amnesty

This week marks the 70th anniversary of John Lennon’s birth, and we at Amnesty are excited to share with you a brand-new cover of the iconic Lennon song “How?” premiering today on iTunes!

The recording of “How?” is a cover by the infamous rocker Ozzy Osbourne, who cites Lennon and the Beatles as his inspiration for becoming a musician.

“If we want to survive as a race of people we’ve got to address problems head on.  John and Yoko took the bull by the horns and for that you’ve got to take your hat off to both of them,” said Ozzy.

The song’s accompanying music video was shot on the streets of New York and at the Lennon Memorial in Central Park.

Three years ago, Yoko Ono graciously donated to us all of Lennon’s publishing royalties for “Instant Karma” –  an album of Lennon compositions  performed by many of the world’s leading artists including U2, R.E.M., Green Day, Black Eyed Peas, Aerosmith and Christina Aguilera. The album was critically acclaimed and has raised millions of dollars to benefit our work on Darfur.

“This year the whole world is celebrating the 70th anniversary of John’s birth,” said Ono. “His spirit and influence is stronger than ever. John shared a common purpose with Amnesty International – shining a light on wrongs and campaigning to protect people’s rights.  We all shine on!”

All proceeds from downloads of “How?” will fund our work.

A Message from Yoko Ono

Following is a special message from longtime Amnesty supporter Yoko Ono:

Dear Amnesty Supporter,

I have a special wish – and you are part of it.

Oct. 9 is the 70th anniversary of John Lennon’s birth. As always, my birthday wish for John is one of peace. For me, finding peace means protecting the human rights of courageous individuals like Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi inspires me to fight for human rights even when the odds seem insurmountable. She has endured unofficial detention for 14 of the past 20 years, yet she continues to inspire the people of Myanmar with her message of peace, love and freedom.

Amnesty International is a leader in the call for Suu Kyi’s release and also for the 2,100 political prisoners detained in Myanmar today.

We won’t rest until they all are free. This is what I love about Amnesty International and why I’m proud to call myself a member.

Please help my wish for peace, love and freedom come true. Make a gift to Amnesty International today.

John shared a common purpose with Amnesty – shining a light on wrongs and campaigning to protect people’s rights.

If John were alive today, I know he’d be grateful for Amnesty’s work. There is no greater champion for prisoners of conscience and victims of torture, for the oppressed and dehumanized. There is no stronger force for human rights.

Through the support of people like you, Amnesty International has become a tenacious, tireless, champion for humanity. Please try to make a financial gift today and help Amnesty International “Pass the Candle” of hope to a new generation so that this bright light never fades.

I urge you to donate right now.

In peace,

Yoko Ono

Sri Lanka: "Just Gimme Some Truth"

Last Friday, I watched the Al Jazeera video, “Sri Lanka admits military bombed ‘no-fire’ zone,” in which the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary denies, then admits, then denies again that the Sri Lankan military bombed in the government-designated “no-fire zone” in northeastern Sri Lanka.  Recently released U.N. satellite photos show craters that the U.N. said were most likely created by bombs dropped from planes since March 16.

Later that night, I found myself thinking of some lines from one of John Lennon’s songs:  “All I want is the truth/Just gimme some truth.”

Then, one of the songs from the soundtrack for the movie “Once” came to mind:  “You’re moving too fast for me/And I can’t keep up with you/Maybe if you slowed down for me/I could see you’re only telling/Lies, lies, lies.”