Additional Coverage:
Following John Lennon’s tragic assassination in 1980, his son Julian, then just 17, found himself grappling with immense grief while simultaneously navigating a complex and unsettling situation. Summoned to New York by Yoko Ono, Julian was tasked with providing support during her devastation. He recalled having to be strong for both himself and Ono, who hadn’t yet broken the news of their father’s death to Sean, her son with John.
However, the situation quickly became strained. The anonymous delivery of one of John’s guitars to Julian in England sparked suspicion in Ono, who believed it might be connected to the theft of some of Lennon’s missing diaries.
Julian was subsequently flown to New York and asked to sign a confession stating he had no knowledge of the diaries’ whereabouts. While he complied, Julian maintains his innocence, asserting that he never received the diaries.
Some of the diaries have since been recovered.
This incident highlights the difficult circumstances Julian faced in the wake of his father’s death, finding himself caught in a web of suspicion and distrust. With limited financial resources, having largely depleted a modest trust fund left by his father, Julian suddenly became the focus of intense media scrutiny, thrust into an unwanted public spotlight. He lamented the preconceived notions people formed about him, based largely on early publicity, which he felt overshadowed his own musical endeavors.
Now residing in New York, Julian describes his relationship with Ono as having improved significantly. He notes a softening on both sides, attributing it to working through past pain and reaching a place of normalcy.
While continuing to tour, Julian admits to feeling somewhat alienated in Britain, speculating that early publicity may have contributed to this sentiment. Despite this, he remains resolute in his pursuit of his own path.
Though forever linked to his father’s legacy, Julian emphasizes his focus on forging his own identity. He acknowledges the enduring presence of that legacy but affirms his commitment to living his own life.