“Dad was a great talent whose music and ideals are an inspiration to millions. Yet I have always had very mixed feelings about Dad. He was the father I loved who let me down in so many ways. Who knows how our relationship might have developed if he had not been murdered …”
- Julian Lennon - from his Website
John Charles Julian Lennon was the reason John Lennon married Cynthia Powell. That’s what good “Northern men” did in those days and John was steeped in this traditional way of doing things. And although he tried to hide the fact he was married from the public, fearing his popularity would wane, this did not happen. The “Beatle Baby” was big news. Lennon split from Powell to be with Yoko Ono when Julian was 5 but their marriage ended long before that.
He’s one of those guys who keeps popping up in trivia quizzes or, like some other musicians, whose whereabouts bugs me just before I go to bed. Then I have to go online and find out what he’s doing, putting sleep a distant second. It’s just too bad his big break was followed by a “sophomore jinx” and that his career faded from public view. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy. He still records and tours and has a film production credit under his belt.
There are many references toward Julian - who was named after John’s mother:
1) Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds - written upon seeing Julian’s crayon picture of a friend from school.
2) Hey Jude - Paul McCartney’s ode to Julian when his father and mother became divorced.
3) Good Night - Ringo sang this song on the White Album. John wrote it for Julian.
(In the only collaboration with his father Julian played drums on Ya-Ya.)
In 1984 Julian had a hit album with Valotte which was produced by Phil Ramone, Billy Joel’s producer. The song To Late For Goodbyes was a big hit for Julian but the follow-up album, The Secret Value of Daydreaming, never flew.
Despite his estrangement from his father Julian always had good relationships with the other Beatles. There was also talk of Julian filling in for his father for a Beatles Reunion but all agreed that it would put Julian through too much pressure.
His aunt Julia was in town for the first Maritime Beatle Event and she said that there was a rivalry between Sean, John’s son by Yoko, and Julian. Even though they are close the brothers have their “outrageous moments” and sometimes she “would like to crack their heads together.”
Julian still performs and is also the producer of a documentary called Whale Dreamer. I would like to see him in concert on day but as “Julian,” not as a reincarnation of John.
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