When Couri Met John Lennon at the Kennedy Center
Couri is often asked about the famous photo of Couri and John Lennon, and for good reason. Their meeting remains one of the most memorable moments of his life.
The encounter happened at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the Kennedy Center Honors. While the event has returned to the news in recent years, that particular night stands out for a very personal reason.
The Moment Photographers Spotted John Lennon
During the reception, photographers suddenly began shouting, “Look, look, there’s John Lennon!”
John turned, saw Couri standing nearby, and called out in return, “Look, look, there’s Couri!”
Lennon walked over, placed his hand on Couri’s shoulder, and the two began talking. Their conversation quickly turned to Couri’s public access television show, Invasion of Privacy.
The Avant-Garde Show That Connected Couri and John Lennon
Invasion of Privacy was filmed by Couri’s friend, the groundbreaking photographer and filmmaker Anton Perich. Perich was a true pioneer of the era; he was the first to bring any form of nudity or four-letter language to television.
The show aired every Sunday night at 11 o’clock. People would rush home to catch it, and among those regular viewers was John Lennon.
This shared interest in the bold, experimental program is what first connected Couri and John Lennon and sparked their friendship.
Visits to the Dakota
In the months that followed, Couri would visit Lennon at the Dakota on Central Park West, just down the street from where Couri lived. John had multiple apartments in the building. At one point, he and Yoko Ono had separated, and he was living in another apartment with a different partner. Couri has described the atmosphere during those visits as very interesting and, in his words, “cozy.”
A Magical Moment Captured Forever
The iconic photograph of Couri and John Lennon was taken that night at the Kennedy Center by Anton Perich. It remains one of the most special images from Couri’s life, a genuine snapshot of two creative figures connecting through television, art, and New York City life.
A classic Couri story from New York.
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