Rare John Lennon Vinyl to be auctioned at the Liverpool Gospel Music Festival in support of World Vision

A highly collectible, limited-edition 12-inch vinyl acetate of John Lennon’s iconic hit Give Peace a Chance, paired with Remember Love and recorded with Yoko Ono, will be auctioned at this year’s Liverpool Gospel Music Festival on Sunday 4 May 2025 at Liverpool Olympia.

The auction, which will be open to in-room bidders only, will take place during the evening session of the Liverpool Gospel Music Festival, commencing at 7pm.

The vinyl is one of just 50 individually numbered, one-sided acetates donated by Yoko Ono and Sean Ono Lennon to support charitable causes. This particular record has been gifted to festival sponsor World Vision, one of the world’s largest international children’s charities, to raise funds supporting vulnerable children and communities worldwide.

Hand-cut at the legendary Abbey Road Studios by mastering engineer Sean Magee, the acetates feature the latest ‘Ultimate Mixes’, produced by Sean Ono Lennon, mixed by Paul Hicks, engineered by Sam Gannon, and executively produced by Yoko Ono Lennon. Each record is uniquely stickered, numbered, and includes a machine-printed signature from Yoko Ono, making it a rare collector’s item. Bidding will begin at £500, with identification required and payment to be made via BACS transfer.

Originally released on 4 July 1969, Give Peace a Chance quickly became the defining anthem of the global anti-war movement, famously sung by over 500,000 demonstrators in Washington D.C. in 1969.

Lennon himself once said:

“I was pleased when the movement took up ‘Give Peace a Chance’ because I had written it with that in mind. I felt an obligation to write a song people would sing at demonstrations or in the pub. Hearing it sung en masse was a big moment for me.”

Sean Ono Lennon added in a statement:

“To raise the spirit of Peace and Love, here is one of only fifty limited-edition acetates, hand-cut at Abbey Road. It’s yours to sell or auction for charity – to help give peace a chance and remember love.”

Festival Director Anu Omideyi, who also heads the National Gospel Music Centre at Liverpool Lighthouse, explained the significance of the auction:

“The Liverpool Gospel Music Festival stands for peace, love, and community. It’s an honour to support World Vision’s work through this historic piece of music that aligns so deeply with our values.”

Simon Gibbes, Senior Partnership Manager at World Vision UK, said:

“We’re proud to partner with Liverpool Lighthouse on this unique event. The funds raised will directly support our work in vulnerable communities, and we are delighted to see an iconic piece of music being used to further a powerful message of peace and love.”

Returning after a one-year hiatus due to civil unrest in 2024, the Liverpool Gospel Music Festival 2025 boasts an exceptional line-up of gospel talent from across the UK. Headliners include the renowned London Community Gospel Choir, Michelle John, Volney Morgan & New-Ye, and Love and Joy Gospel Choir. The event will also feature MOBO-nominated artists such as Reblah and Tofunmi Adorna, alongside rising stars and established choirs from across Manchester, Birmingham, London and Liverpool.

Organised by Liverpool Lighthouse, the festival is the UK’s only mainstream gospel music festival and forms part of a wider cultural initiative supported by Arts Council England, PPL, World Vision, and other partners.

Anu Omideyi said:

“After the setbacks of 2024, we’re thrilled to return with a powerful programme of performances, unity and celebration. Gospel music’s roots in black culture, spirituality and resilience make it uniquely powerful, and this festival welcomes everyone – of all backgrounds and beliefs – to come together in joy.”

This year also marks the expansion of the Gospel Music into Schools programme, piloted in 2023. Developed in collaboration with Resonate Music Hub and Rockschool, the initiative brings the history and energy of gospel music into classrooms, introducing over 200 students so far and influencing curriculum change in more than 14 schools nationwide.

Known globally for its music legacy and cultural heritage, Liverpool is also home to Liverpool Lighthouse, the only National Portfolio Organisation for gospel music supported by Arts Council England. The charity is currently developing the National Gospel Music Centre, a hub for the development and celebration of gospel music in the UK.

Find out more about the Liverpool Gospel Music Festival here.

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