John and Yoko had their first Bed-In for Peace in Amsterdam in March, 1969. They wanted to have their second Bed-In in New York City, but John wasn’t allowed in the United States due to a cannabis conviction in 1968.
So on this date, May 25, 1969, they flew into the Bahamas, as it was at least “close” to the U.S. But they soon found the heat and accommodations unacceptable, so on May 26th, they flew to Montreal.
They held a week long series of interviews from bed, ignoring the criticism and speculation they’d lost their minds. They stuck with their message: “Give Peace a Chance”.
On June 1, a call for recording equipment was made, and comedian-musician Tommy Smothers found a guitar. So, along with fellow musician Petula Clark, Beatles press officer Derek Taylor, psychologist-author Timothy Leary, and many others, the anthem “Give Peace a Chance” was recorded right there in John and Yoko’s bedroom suite.
“The Plastic Ono Band” released the song five weeks later in the United States.
It reached no. 14 on Billboard’s chart — and inspired an entire generation to chant along with John and Yoko: Give Peace a Chance.
It was “all they were saying”.