John Lennon’s Son Julian Says He ‘Had Nothing to Do With the Beatles’
The photographer and musician also shared why he plans to have a positive mindset going into 2025
John Lennon’s son, Julian Lennon, is opening up about being born and raised in the spotlight. In a recent interview with The Guardian, the photographer and musician said he is “not part of the [Beatles] inner circle” and never has been, despite growing up around the band. Keep scrolling to read Julian’s full statement and learn what he has been up to all these years.
Julian Lennon on growing up around The Beatles
Julian was born in April 1963 to John and Cynthia Lennon. During this time, John’s band, The Beatles, was working to release their second studio album, With the Beatles, which would come out in November of that year.
Five years later, John decided to leave Cynthia behind to try to focus on his music, which Julian claims he doesn’t remember all that well.
“You have to realize that when Dad left, when I was between three and five (it was a bit of a process), it was just mum and me,” Julian said. “We had nothing to do with the Beatles or Dad.”
“I visited him [John] on the odd occasion, but we were very much on the outside.”
Despite his father leaving, though, Julian claims that his entire life has been about him being “John Lennon’s son.”
“What I need to do for me, first and foremost, is to build up a body of work, a foundation that I can stand on, that nobody can take away from me,” he added. “I continue to do so. It’s not to show off; it’s just to prove to myself that I can actually do this stuff. I’m not interested in fighting other people’s opinions.”
Julian Lennon on his relationship with brother Sean Ono Lennon
Following John’s split with Cynthia in 1968, the singer decided to remarry violinist Yoko Ono in 1969. He went on to welcome a son with her—Sean Ono Lennon—in 1975.
“I’m thankful that Sean and I get on like a house on fire,” Julian said in that same interview with The Guardian. “We’re best buddies.”
Over the years, Sean has been rather open and honest about his relationship with his father’s former bandmates, and according to Julian, “[Sean] tells me what he can, but things are pretty secret on the Beatles front.”
Sean is 49 years old and has been with his partner, Kemp Muhl, since 2005. The couple doesn’t have any children.
Julian Lennon takes a positive outlook for 2025
The Beatles and his brother weren’t the only thing Julian talked about in his interview with The Guardian. He also revealed that his latest studio album, Jude—released in 2022—was a “bit of a letdown” because, “The idea was to hit a couple of the American late-night TV shows and the likes of Graham Norton and Jools Holland, but sadly nobody would have me on.”
This caused him to become “heartbroken” and instead focus his efforts on photography, a passion which he claims came from a visit he once took to see his father.
“I was about 11 years old when I first went out to the U.S. to see Dad, and he had a very simple brown leather Polaroid camera that he used a fair amount…I was really fascinated,” Julian said. “That immediacy was exciting. I tried becoming a photographer with film but always had problems. Although I have great patience on some levels, I have little patience in other circumstances. Then digital came along.”
Julian recently released a book filled with his photography entitled Life’s Fragile Moments.
Going into 2025, though, Julian is focused on one thing: having a positive attitude, which he says stemmed from creating his book.
“You’ve got to think, what would it be like if you didn’t do anything if you weren’t positive? What if you don’t write that book? What if you don’t take those photographs telling the truth from the other side of the world? What if you don’t make those documentaries that give people options or understanding – what would happen if that was the case?” he says.
“There’s only one choice in my book. Stay the course, believe that things can be better.”
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