Elliot Mintz - A Legendary Broadcaster, Media Consultant & Author

Elliot Mintz
is a legendary broadcaster, media
consultant, and now
AUTHOR “A personal and revealing look at the last ten years of John Lennon’s life and his partnership with Yoko Ono, written by the friend who knew them best.” In 1972, Mintz installed a special hotline just for John and Yoko, talking to one or the other or both almost every day for a decade. “I believe over the next 10 years with John and Yoko, I spoke with them more than any other person,” he says, in an author letter shared with PEOPLE.

Elliot Mintz
is a legendary broadcaster, media
consultant, and now
AUTHOR In 1972, Mintz installed a special hotline just for John and Yoko, talking to one or the other or both almost every day for a decade. “I believe over the next 10 years with John and Yoko, I spoke with them more than any other person,” he says, in an author letter shared with PEOPLE.

Elliot Mintz: Legendary Media Consultant & Author

At just 21 years old, Elliot Mintz made history as the youngest talk show host in America when he began broadcasting on KPFK radio in Los Angeles in 1966.

With a career spanning five decades, he has established himself as a prominent radio and television personality and media consultant, forging lifelong friendships with numerous celebrities, musicians, and public figures, including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Bob Dylan, Paris Hilton, Diana Ross, and many more.

 

Elliot’s interviews reflect his deep engagement with a wide array of cultural and intellectual spheres. He has spoken with iconic musicians, exploring their artistic processes and personal philosophies, while also connecting with influential figures in politics, literature, and activism. His diverse interests and genuine curiosity shine through in every conversation.

 

Known for their depth and introspective nature, Elliot’s work often delves into profound themes, offering unique insights into the lives and minds of his subjects.

A Walk on the Beach with John Lennon
A Walk on the Beach with John Lennon

Elliot Mintz Recalls Life in Laurel Canyon
Elliot Mintz Recalls Life in Laurel Canyon

Jim Ladd Interview: Mintz on Mintz
Jim Ladd Interview: Mintz on Mintz

Recent Works

We All Shine On Book Cover
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In Elliot’s first book, he takes readers inside John and Yoko’s inner sanctums, including their expansive seventh-floor apartment in New York’s fabled Dakota building, where he was something of a semipermanent fixture, ultimately becoming the Lennons' closest and most trusted confidant.

To view more conversations surrounding the book, including book signings, etc...

CLICK HERE

Since 1945

Professional History

1945
Born February 16, 1945

Elliot was born in the Bronx, New York on February 16, 1945.

1963
Moved to California

In 1963 Elliot moved to California to attend Los Angeles City College - partly inspired by the film The Misfits - where he studied broadcasting and began to do radio interviews. On November 22nd, 1963, Elliot conducts the first interview with a man who served in the Marine Corps with Lee Harvey Oswald...then a suspect in the assassination of the President.

1966
KPFK radio

From 1966 to 1968, Elliot was a broadcaster over KPFK radio in Los Angeles, California, where at age 21 he became the youngest talk show host in America.

1968 - 1969
KLAC

Worked on-air at KLAC Radio.

1969
KMET

Worked on-air at KMET Radio.

1971
Headshop

Hosted a Syndicated Television show called Headshop.

1971
Yoko Ono & John Lennon

Elliot interviewed Yoko Ono on the radio, followed by an interview with John Lennon.

1972
First Meeting

Elliot first meets John Lennon and Yoko Ono in person in Ojai, California. The two of them gave Elliot an acetate of their new album 'Sometime in NY City', which he plays that evening in its entirety over KLOS radio.

1973 - 1975
Entertainment Correspondent/'The Lost Weekend'

Elliot was the Entertainment Correspondent for Eyewitness News KABC television in Los Angeles. Elliot would also spend much of his time with John Lennon, who was then separated from Yoko Ono. That time was called the 'The Lost Weekend'.

1974
David Cassidy

Elliot accompanies David Cassidy to Manchester and London, England, where he played before a sold-out crowd at Wembley Stadium. Elliot would create an audio documentary of their travel and record more than 20 hours of tape for a still-unpublished biography.

1979 - 1980
Hostage Crisis/Associated Press Award

Elliot conducts the first Radio Interview of a 'student'/'kidnapper' during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, for which he received a California Associated Press Award.

1981
Spokesperson

Elliot become the spokesperson for the John Lennon Estate.

1984
Don Johnson

Elliot is commuting constantly between LA and Miami, and then to San Francisco where he is representing Don Johnson throughout the 'Miami Vice' and 'Nash Bridges' series.

1987
Bob Dylan

Elliot begins a 10 year relationship with Bob Dylan handling the artist’s public relations.

1988
“The Lost Lennon Tapes”

From Jan. 1988 to 1992 Mintz Hosted a radio series called “The Lost Lennon Tapes”.

1990 - 2000s
Media Consultant

After many years as a broadcaster, Elliot decides to become a media consultant, advising public figure about their relation with the press. For the next decade of his life he would represent Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Sal Mineo, Paris Hilton, the Hilton Family, Robert Earl, CEO of Planet Hollywood, Bijan, CEO of Bijan Fragrances, Brian France, CEO of Nascar, Don Henley, Christie Brinkley, Peter Frampton, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paris Jackson and many others.

2005
Radio & TV Interviews

Elliot does numerous interviews with Radio and Television Correspondents as well as documentarians, discussing the evolution of public relations in the 20th Century.

2014
Semi-retirement

Elliot semi-retired from Broadcast Media.

2014
Over 300 hours of interviews and commentary

Elliot created a free website which contained more the 300 hours of interviews and commentary.

2020
Guest Appearences

Elliot became a frequent guest on various media outlets discussing the cultural evolution of his generation.

2022
Preparing for Retirement

As the Global Pandemic enveloped the entertainment business, Elliot prepared for retirement.

2024
His Memoir with John Lennon & Yoko Ono

In February of 2024 Elliot signed with Penguin/Random House to write a memoir about his relationship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It is called “We All Shine On – John, Yoko, and Me.” It will also be available in foreign countries, thru ‘TransWorld’. It is currently available for pre-order on Amazon and all the other outlets where books are purchased. An audio book narrated by Elliot Mintz is currently available for pre-order as well.

2024
Book release date for “We All Shine On” – John, Yoko, and Me."

October 22nd is the release date for “We All Shine On” – John, Yoko, and Me.” He plans on traveling, making appearances in support of his book.

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