This is the original version of the poster Athena—the spark that ignited a musical mystery spanning over four decades.
In 1981, I sent a letter to Yoko Ono—along with four copies of my poster—asking her to reach out to Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, and The Who on my behalf. I asked Ono to pass along a bold request: Would those artists create songs inspired by my Athena poster and turn them into a musical mystery—much like the Beatles’ Paul is Dead story?
Remarkably, “They Made My Dream Come True.”
(That exact phrase appears both as a song title and as a repeated lyric in another track—possibly signaling their response to my request.)
Over the following years, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Who, and even Yoko Ono herself released songs containing subtle clues connected to Athena, to me, and to the concept behind this interactive “you-solve-it” musical mystery.
Some of these songs reference the photograph on the poster. Others were inspired by the message I wrote in dedication to John Lennon—a message that continues to echo through the lyrics and melodies of some of the most iconic names in music.
This poster marks the beginning of a mystery that has only continued to grow for more than 44 years.
Now, it’s your turn to step into the story and begin asking the question:
Are they really singing about me and my poster?
🎧 Start your investigation here with these links to start finding the clues in this mystery:
- Paul McCartney – "Take It Away" (Does this video's band shell scene cleverly portray an Atomic mushroom cloud rising?)
- The Who – "Athena" (30-second clip) Of the lyrical references describing the images I noticed in the mushroom cloud on my poster.
- Pink Floyd – "Not Now John" (listen for both Kerry and John Lennon being yelled out)
- Yoko Ono – "I See Rainbows" Ono sings about what at the time President Reagan was saying that the USA could win a limited nuclear war against Russia.
- The Who – We Got a Hit (Extended Version) (could this be Townshend's way of acknowledging that they made my dreams come true?)
🕵️ To solve this musical mystery:
- You will need to examine the poster carefully
- Listen closely to the lyrics in the condensed list of songs above
- Ask yourself: What are these songs really about?
- Form your own questions. Seek your own answers.
The clues are waiting. Will you investigate them?