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John Lennon's wife changed overnight: Yoko Ono met the first in her robe
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Culture & Society

John Lennon's wife changed overnight: Yoko Ono met the first in her robe

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new book by author R. Connolly challenges the idealized image of John Lennon, revealing his complex and contradictory personality.
  • The book details Lennon's personal life, including his relationships with his first wife Cynthia and Yoko Ono, and his struggles with fame and his son Julian.
  • Connolly explores Lennon's difficult childhood and the influence of his environment in Liverpool during World War II to understand the artist.

A new book by R. Connolly aims to dismantle the myth of John Lennon as a purely peaceful icon, instead presenting a vulnerable, temperamental, and conflicted artist. The author, who knew Lennon personally, delves into the multifaceted nature of the musician, portraying him as a mischievous Liverpool teenager, a sharp-witted Beatle, a psychedelic guru, a feminist anti-war activist, and ultimately, a bohemian multimillionaire who fractured The Beatles.

I think I am Jesus Christ.

โ€” John LennonRecounting Lennon's drug-fueled declaration to his friend Pete Shotton.

The book explores the behind-the-scenes of Lennon's personal life, seeking to understand what truly shaped this complex individual. It openly discusses Lennon's relationship with his first wife, Cynthia, his guilt over abandoning his son Julian, his transformative connection with Yoko Ono, and the escalating tensions within the band. Connolly also examines Lennon's roots, including a difficult childhood, the backdrop of World War II, and the environment of the port city of Liverpool, all contributing to a deeper understanding of what it meant to be John Lennon.

One anecdote recounts Lennon's declaration, "I think I am Jesus Christ," during a drug-fueled conversation with Pete Shotton. When challenged by Shotton, Lennon decided to announce this revelation to the world, starting with his bandmates. The other Beatles, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, along with associates Neil Aspinall and Derek Taylor, listened calmly, attributing his statement to drug influence and agreeing to consider it later. This episode highlights Lennon's often erratic and grandiose behavior.

Pete, I'd like a girl tonight. Would you mind?

โ€” John LennonLennon's request to Pete Shotton for female company, leading to a call to Yoko Ono.

Later that evening, Lennon expressed a desire for female company and called Yoko Ono. Despite the late hour and the significant distance, Ono agreed to come over. Lennon had asked Shotton to pay the taxi fare. Ono's husband, Tony Cox, was away with their daughter Kyoko, while Lennon's son Julian was being looked after by Dot Jarlett. Shotton recalls Ono arriving as shy and nervous, and after a brief exchange, he retired, leaving Lennon to pursue her.

I didn't know what to do, so we went upstairs to my studio and I played her some of my tapes, all this avant-garde stuff.

โ€” John LennonLennon describing his initial interaction with Yoko Ono in his studio.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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