Julian Lennon, now 61, has spent his life navigating the complex legacy of being John Lennon’s son. While the Beatles’ shadow looms large, Julian has forged his own multifaceted path as a musician, author, filmmaker, philanthropist, and now fine art photographer.
In a candid interview, Julian opens up about his journey to self-identity, escaping his father’s shadow, and his philosophy for staying optimistic amid challenges.
Escaping the Shadow of John Lennon
Julian grew up far removed from the Beatles’ inner circle. Raised primarily by his mother, Cynthia, he had sporadic contact with John after his parents’ separation. Reflecting on this, he shares:
“When Dad left, it was just Mum and me. We had nothing to do with the Beatles or Dad’s world. I’ve always been on the outside.”
Despite this distance, Julian remains a fan of the band, marveling at their continued cultural resurgence through projects like Get Back. Yet, he acknowledges the strangeness of being an outsider to a legacy so closely tied to his family name.
Discovering Photography
Julian’s latest venture, a fine art photography book titled Life’s Fragile Moments, captures two decades of his visual storytelling. The collection features moments from his charity work, candid family portraits, and even a royal wedding.
Photography has been a lifelong interest for Julian. He recalls being fascinated by his father’s Polaroid camera as a child:
“I’ve always done everything organically. I never learned to read and write music, and I’ve taken the same self-taught approach to photography.”
This approach allows Julian to maintain a sense of discovery and creativity, focusing on the emotional impact of his work rather than technical perfection.
Staying Resilient in the Face of Challenges
Julian has faced his share of professional and personal setbacks, including recent difficulties promoting his 2022 album Jude. Rejection from major shows left him heartbroken, but he remains determined to continue creating.
He credits his mother, Cynthia, as his guiding influence:
“Watching how she handled everything with love and grace taught me that the only way forward is to take the high road and push through.”
This philosophy has helped Julian overcome depression, anxiety, and even quitting a long-standing smoking habit.
A Memoir in the Works
Though Julian has no interest in a traditional autobiography, he’s working on a memoir that blends art and emotion to tell his story.
“It’s not going to be your standard autobiographical book. I want it to be more about art, creativity, and the emotions behind my journey.”
Optimism for 2025 and Beyond
Julian emphasizes the importance of staying positive and taking action, even in challenging times:
“You have to ask yourself, what happens if you don’t do anything? If you don’t tell those stories, take those photographs, or write that book? There’s only one choice in my book: stay the course and believe things can get better.”
