Before John Lennon's murder, he and Yoko Ono received a grim prediction from a friend.

A new memoir by Elliot Mintz, titled 'We All Shine On: John, Yoko, and Me,' recounts his experiences with the iconic couple.

Before John Lennon's murder, he and Yoko Ono received a grim prediction from a friend.
Before John Lennon's murder, he and Yoko Ono received a grim prediction from a friend.

In Greece, John Lennon and Yoko Ono visited a renowned palm reader who gave them a chilling prediction: Lennon would meet a tragic end on an island.

Elliot Mintz, a close friend of the couple, has written a new memoir titled "We All Shine On: John, Yoko, & Me" with the approval of their son, Sean Lennon.

"According to Mintz, the palm reader was adamant that John would be murdered on an island. Mintz shared with Planet Chronicle Digital that she never considered islands as places surrounded by water, despite being raised in New York."

A close-up of John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Elliot Mintz
Elliot Mintz's friendship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono lasted for nearly a decade until Lennon was murdered in 1980. (Courtesy of Elliot Mintz )

"Yoko had relationships with psychics, tarot readers, astrologers, and others in what I called the ‘paranormal world,’ and she consulted with these people for years on an almost daily basis. There were very few decisions Yoko made without first getting clearance or guidance from these people."

Although the reader conveyed their worries, the couple remained unperturbed. In his book, Mintz pointed out that Lennon believed he didn't require bodyguards because he was simply a rock 'n' roll singer.

Book cover for Shine On
Elliot Mintz's memoir "We All Shine On" is available now. (Dutton)

"Lennon stated in Mintz's book that he had always been surrounded by men who were supposed to protect him. Even when the Beatles toured and there were hundreds of police present, Lennon believed that if someone wanted to harm him, they would still be able to do so. He felt that bodyguards were unnecessary and made him uncomfortable."

A close-up of Yoko Ono, John Lennon and Elliot Mintz standing together.
Elliot Mintz, right, has kept a close friendship with Yoko Ono, seen here with John Lennon, and the couple's son, Sean Lennon. (Courtesy of Elliot Mintz )

Lennon stated that he has never been afraid of death, likening it to switching from one car to another.

Ono agreed.

"If it's destined to happen, nothing can be prevented," she said, as quoted in Mintz's book. "Should we avoid all islands? Should we never go anywhere? If it's going to happen, it's going to happen."

"When [the Beatles] toured, there were hundreds of police around us. But if they want to get to you, they’re gonna get you. They could get you in Disneyland. Look at all the people that Kennedy had around him. I don’t need bodyguards. I don’t want them." — John Lennon

A photo of Yoko Ono and John Lennon
John Lennon and Yoko Ono on Nov. 2, 1980. Lennon was killed in December of that year. (Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)

Lennon stated to Mintz that the only protection they truly required was the string of Tibetan bells hanging on his apartment door.

Lennon was certain that Mintz needed to go first.

Mintz said, "The only thing that scares me is that Yoko would go first before I did because I can't live without her - I need to go first."

John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Elliot Mintz standing together near a Japanese lantern
John Lennon told his pal Elliot Mintz that he wasn't afraid of death. (Courtesy of Elliot Mintz)

Lennon, who didn't feel the need for bodyguards while traveling in New York City, was worried about the fate of Sal Mineo, a friend of Mintz's and a star in "Rebel Without a Cause."

In 1976, a mugger fatally stabbed the actor near his Hollywood apartment. He was 37.

"Mintz stated that their conversation with John about their close friend was crucial. Tragically, their friend was senselessly stabbed to death in an alley while trying to enter their apartment. The attacker did not know the victim. This was Mintz's first encounter with death and also their first experience with death inflicted by someone else. The event left Mintz deeply traumatized."

Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood being embraced by James Dean on the set of Rebel Without a Cause
Sal Mineo (1939-1976), left, James Dean (1931-1955) and Natalie Wood (1938-1981) on the set of "Rebel Without a Cause," circa 1955. (Warner Bros./Getty Images)

"I returned Sal's body to New York for burial, reflecting on the experience. Following the funeral, I returned to my hotel. My phone rang incessantly from both John and Yoko, who wanted me to visit The Dakota. Although I was emotional, they persisted and wouldn't accept my refusal. So, I took a cab and went there, where they tried to console me. It was beautiful."

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"Mintz continued, "They were concerned about my well-being, which led to a brief discussion about security. It was the first time I had considered John's safety. I shared with him that he didn't have any security personnel around him, such as bodyguards. I asked if he was worried about his safety. John responded patiently, saying that he believed those people made no difference and that he wasn't afraid of death.""

Mintz said his last conversation with Lennon was "matter of fact."

Polaroid of John Lennon and Elliot Mintz posing for a photo.
Elliot Mintz and John Lennon last spoke shortly before the singer's death. (Courtesy of Elliot Mintz)

He recalled the time when the "Double Fantasy" sessions were ending. He spent time with John and Yoko at their apartment, where he listened to the music for the first time. It was extraordinary.

Double Fantasy Album Cover
The album cover for "Double Fantasy," which was released on Nov. 17, 1980. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

"Afterward, we had our usual chats. He was excited about the release of the album. When the record came out in November, he was very optimistic. We talked about the possibility of him touring. He had ambivalent feelings about being on the road again. It would be him and Yoko traveling the country. But he was feeling hopeful."

Sean Ono Lennon onstage at the Oscars
Elliot Mintz wrote his memoir with Sean Lennon's blessing. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"Mintz admitted that the conversation he had was very lengthy and he believed it would never end. He considered their conversations to be a natural part of his life and they were like his extended family. He spoke to them more than anyone else. When the conversation ended, he said "Talk to you later" in a matter-of-fact manner. It was just a typical conversation."

John Lennon wearing a denim jacket outside.
John Lennon is seen here with his son Sean Lennon. He was killed outside his apartment building in New York City. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

On the evening of December 8, 1980, a crazed admirer assassinated Lennon outside his apartment in New York City. He was 40 years old.

Several people who knew the couple arrived at The Dakota "like vultures," and took many of Lennon's private possessions.

"Mintz stated that the stolen items included five years of John's personal journals, love letters, and other items. The thief was an ex-employee who put the items in bags and left. Since John and Yoko did not have an inventory of their possessions, it is unclear how much was taken. However, the thieves were eventually caught, and the materials were returned."

John Lennon signing autographs
John Lennon signs autographs outside the Times Square recording studio The Hit Factory after a recording session for his final album "Double Fantasy" in August 1980 in New York City. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Mintz stated that the discussion was not limited to journals and love letters between the two, but also included personal belongings that they cherished. Among these items was a watch that Yoko had given John in 1980, which she had engraved with the phrase "Starting over."

"The New York City district attorney's office investigated and charged one of the perpetrators who was found guilty in court for obtaining items from a storage facility."

John Lennon and Yoko Ono posing in bed
Yoko Ono dedicated her life to preserving John Lennon's legacy. (Getty)

"John and Yoko's legacy may have been tainted by private dealers, destroyed items, and ex-employees writing negative books, which persisted for years," Mintz stated.

An aerial view of The Dakota
The Dakota building in New York City on July 6, 2024. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"Yoko devoted the remainder of her life to safeguarding John's legacy. Although she is still with us, she handed over this responsibility to Sean a few years ago. Currently, Sean is continuing where his mother left off, and his mother was carrying on from where his father had left off."

Despite his close relationship with Ono, Mintz clarified that his book is not a love poem dedicated to the couple.

"It wasn't all peace, love, and sweeties," he stated. "I did not write this story with a sensational pen. It's an honest account of my life with them... It's a story about the things one would do for love."

by Stephanie Nolasco

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