The son of legendary Beatle John Lennon, Julian Lennon, has cried foul over his father’s abuse. John was the voice for peace and love, and was often hailed as a cultural icon, but his son provides a far more complex, tormented image of the man behind the music.
In open interviews, Julian has disclosed how his father’s public image differed dramatically from private behavior. He accused John of preaching peace to the world but failing to practice that same generosity in their own home. For Julian, the distance and abandonment created a lifetime of conflict with resentment and reconciliation.
Julian Lennon opens up about his painful childhood with an absent father
Julian has not held back in describing his late father as a “hypocrite” who failed to extend love and support to his own family. Born to John and Cynthia Lennon, Julian witnessed his parents’ marriage fall apart after his father became involved with artist Yoko Ono during the height of Beatlemania.
Though John later claimed there was hope of repairing their relationship, there was no warmth or continuity in their relationship as Julian recalled. As he depicted it, even brief instances of closeness were tainted by tension, confusion, and emotional starvation, which appeared to linger on long after John’s death.
Healing through music and letting go of bitterness
While bitter for years, Julian guarantees that music later turned out to be his way of healing. After writing a song for a childhood friend, he discovered he was forgiving his father. He realized that clinging to bitterness would choke him and that breaking free was the only way he could live with himself.
Julian also struggled for years to claim a fair share of his father’s will, which had largely been left to Yoko Ono and her son Sean. That legal battle also caused added stress to family relationships but also marked a milestone in Julian’s emotional life, compelling him to confront unfinished grieving and achieve closure.