Lennon Songs Set For Broadway

Two unpublished JOHN Lennon songs are to appear in a new Broadway musical celebrating the former BEATLE's life.

Lennon's widow Yoko Ono has given her permission for India, INDIA - inspired by the Band's trip to the country in 1968 - and I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU to be used in LENNON, which opens in New York's theatre district in the spring (05).

Ono has been fiercely protective of Lennon's legacy since his death in 1980. She recently said, "That's the responsibility he gave to me. I am honoured to do it, because we were partners and we are still partners and we are still partners."

She insists she allowed show producer Don Scardino to use the songs because she trusts him to treat them with respect.

She adds, "They are very appropriate for the periods they are showing. People would say to me, 'What are you going to do about all John's unreleased songs?' And I've always said, 'I will put them out, but I have to find ways to present them in the right way. From these songs, I thought the musical would be a very effective, beautiful way to do it.'"

Ono claims she offered I Don't Want To Lose You to the surviving Beatles when they compiled THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY in the mid 1990s.