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It was 1984 when all the true Beatle fans realized: They were getting
old.
This was the year the son of John Lennon would make
his journey into a roller coaster musical career. Only 21, Julian
Lennon released Valotte, which held the international hit "Too
Late for Goodbyes." Over the next seven years, he would release
three more albums for a combined total of six million in sales. Unfortunately,
this would be the last we would hear from Julian Lennon-- until now.
You see, being a Beatle son and having songs like "Hey Jude"
written about you is more like carrying a cross instead of a lifestyle.
With constant comparisons to his father's voice, look and music, Julian
had enough. He went into hiding, bitter and disappointed by an industry
that he saw cradle and nurture his father's work. Julian's work was
never fairly judged by critics...that is, until today.
Many years have gone by, and Julian is a "new man."
His latest release, Photograph Smile, is receiving rave reviews, not
because he sounds like John Lennon, but because it is good. I had the
privilege of talking to Julian from his home in England about his work,
life, and being a Beatle's son.
Way to Your Heart
Photograph Smile has a feel of growth and contemplation.
Do you feel like you were finally able to truly express yourself as
a musician?
"It's definitely the beginning.
This is the first opportunity I've had to do things my way without
the pressures of record labels and management telling me it's not
commercial enough or it doesn't sound like your father. I'm in a
position now to write for the sake of writing-- for the love of
writing-- not for an album. That's how this album got started."
Why such a long wait for this record?
"Mainly, I was sick and tired
of the business. Broken promises, lack of support which was coming
from the fore mentioned group of people. (Laughs with his English
drawl) I felt after years of the same old thing and not much control
of decisions and [things] not going the way I thought they should,
it was time for a serious change. It took about five years to just
get released from those contracts. There was no way, during that
time, I was going to sit down and write something for them again.
I felt, to a degree, the previous work wasn't completely true. With
this record, it is nice to be able to put my heart on the line,
the way it should have been...give people something from the heart.
For me, this record was a challenge to see what I could be. I consider
the writing very much an art form. I see myself as a songsmith more
than a singer or a player."
You have a niche for writing ballads.
"When I first started playing
piano, it was very much improvisational work. They would be 30 minute
instrumental pieces that were very classical-oriented. The hard
part was learning how to cut it down and make it into a song with
hooks, I hated it at first. I like the longer, more drawn out pieces.
They are much more emotional."
Crucified
Why did you wait so long to give the Beatle fans the
song "I Don't Wanna Know"?
"I wrote it with a Beatle flavor
for the critics who ticked me off for so many years comparing me
to my father. They would compare an album of mine to the Beatles
catalog...it wasn't very fair. It also comes with me feeling more
confident as a writer. Always being compared to my father's or Beatles's
work wasn't fair. I always thought, 'Can we get over this? I'm his
son. There will be similarities. I did grow up listening to and
liking Beatles music...it wasn't bad music (laughs). So this song
is for the critics. Have fun comparing."
Were you surprised by all the rave reviews for Photograph
Smile?
"I've been blown away by the reviews.
By far the best reviews I've ever received. It's nice getting that
kind of reaction from something you did yourself. The record is:
#1 album in Australia, #1 single in Japan, Top 10 in Germany. Hopefully
the States will follow this trend."
Got to Get You into My Life
What do you remember most about your father?
"It's probably not the answer you
are looking for, but when he walked out the door and never came back.
The image I have of my father is not being around at all. He left
when I was four and I only saw him maybe ten times before he was killed.
He preached and sang about love, but he couldn't do it on a personal
level. I don't understand the mentality behind all the hero- worshipping
that goes on with my father. To me, he was just absent."
What's the most important thing you learned from your
father?
"How not to follow in his footsteps
as a father (laughs). On a positive note, between him and Paul (McCartney),
they had to be the best song writers ever as far as I'm concerned.
Although, I feel a lot of credit is owed to George Martin (producer)
as well. He was an incredible part of the team. Without him, they
would not have been the same. He had a way of bringing out the best
in them. As individuals, they are two separate people...the way they
write and perform. Paul has a much more melody-minded and gentle approach,
while my dad had an aggressive approach. To be able to put them together
and make something. incredible out of it was great work and should
be noted for that."
I understand you have an extensive collection of Beatle
memorabilia?
"I've had to bid on most of these
things. Yoko never did play fair. It has always been clear that I
wasn't the favorite son. At least this way I get things with no strings
attached. I had a long legal battle with Yoke after my dad's death,
and at least I ended up with some of the rights to his work. I can't
imagine my dad being happy to see his art and other work ending up
on coffee mugs, t- shirts, etc. For some people, I guess money is
more important. I've gone to a lot of auctions and bought things I
remember as a kid: the Afghan coat my dad wore from "I'm A Walrus",
a black velvet cape wore in the movie Help, the scribbled notes of
"Hey Jude", written by Paul for me when my parents were
splitting up. But what I'm most proud of is the complete collection
of original Gold Beatle Albums. Hopefully my kids won't have to bid
on my stuff...nobody will probably want any of it (laughs)."
Like a fine wine, aging is the key, poured to early it's
just a tease. Julian is finally ready to open the bottle. Hopefully
when he tours the States this summer, he'll make Pittsburgh one of his
stops. Until then we will have to settle for his Photograph Smile.
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Photograph Smile Info