John Lennonthe legendary member of The Beatlesleft an indelible legacy in the history of music and in the lives of his two children, Julian y Sean Lennon. Although both grew up in very different contexts and circumstances, both have followed similar paths in the artistic world, carrying with them the weight of the Lennon surname.
Julian Lennon
Julian Lennon, whose full name is John Charles Julian Lennonwas born on April 8, 1963 in Liverpool, the result of John Lennon’s first marriage to Cynthia Powell.
His name was chosen in honor of his paternal grandmother, Julia Lennonwho tragically died in a traffic accident in 1958. However, although he was named after his father and grandmother, Julian’s childhood was anything but ideal.
In 1963, the Beatles were at the height of their popularity. Beatlemaniaand John Lennon was constantly on tour and busy with the musical phenomenon that revolutionized the world. This left little room for John to be involved in his newborn son’s life.
Julian barely knew his father in the first days of his life, since John never arrived at the hospital where Cynthia He gave birth, caught by the attention of the fans, and after meeting him it took two months to see him again.
The estrangement between father and son increased over time, especially after John divorced Cynthia. in 1968 to marry Yoko Ono. The separation of his parents was a hard blow for Julian, who was raised primarily by his mother.
His relationship with his father remained distant. until the 70swhen they began to reconcile briefly before the death of John in 1980. This stage of separation left deep scars on Julian, who in several interviews has spoken openly about the emotional impact of not having his father present.
Despite the difficulties, Julian found inspiration in music, following in his father’s footsteps. His relationship with the artistic world began at a very young age. She was the muse of several Beatles songs, such as ‘Good Night’written by John for him, and ‘Hey Jude’a topic that Paul McCartney composed to console him after his parents’ divorce.
Despite having the last name Lennon, Julian had difficulty making a name for himself in music, a paradox that he himself has acknowledged in interviews. Her singing career took off in 1984 with the album ‘Lightning’which received praise and comparisons to his father’s style. However, the success was short-lived, and Julian gradually moved away from music.
Today, Julian Lennon has found a new path as a photographer, filmmaker and environmental activist. In 2009, he founded an organization called ‘theRevolution’with which it seeks to raise awareness about environmental problems.
He is also known for his documentary ‘WhaleDreamers’which explores the relationship of whales to indigenous cultures. Although he is no longer in the spotlight as a musician, Julian is still active in the creative world, and many say his physical appearance and musical style are a reflection of his iconic father.
Sean Lennon
Sean Taro Ono Lennon was born on October 9, 1975sharing the same birthday as his famous father. Unlike his half-brother Julian, Sean grew up in a very different environment, as John Lennon had put aside his rock star life to become a devoted father.
Sean He was the son that John raised from birth, dedicating himself completely to him until his tragic death in 1980. John y Yoko Ono They decided to name him Sean, a Scottish variant of the name John, to distinguish him from his half-brother.
Since his birth, John decided to take an active role in raising Seanmoving away from the world of music to spend more time with him. Sean has spoken on numerous occasions about the closeness he had with his father and how he was raised in an environment full of creativity and love.
After the murder of John LennonSean, who was only five years old at the time, grew up under the shadow of his father’s fame and constant public scrutiny. From a young age, he showed interest in music and began to follow in John’s footsteps.
In his adolescence, he collaborated on some Yoko Ono albums and wrote his first song at the age of 16 with Lenny Kravitz. This first step led him to start his solo musical career, releasing his debut album ‘Into the Sun’ in 1998.
Sean He has had a diverse career, not only as a solo artist, but also as a member of several bands. He has been part of groups such as Cibo Matto, The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger and, most recently, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, a duo he formed with Les Claypool.
Although Sean’s music has clear influences from his father, he has managed to develop his own style that combines rock, pop and sound experimentation.
Like Julian, his father wrote the song for him ‘Good Night’John dedicated the famous song to Sean ‘Beautiful Boy’which appears on the album ‘Double Fantasy’. This song has become something of an anthem for the relationship between father and son, and Sean has spoken in multiple interviews about how meaningful it was to have such a personal song written for him.
Regarding his appearance, Sean has inherited the distinctive features of John Lennon. With his long hair and bohemian style, many compare him to his father not only physically, but also in his creative and free spirit. Unlike Julian, who had a conflicted relationship with his last name, Sean has embraced his heritage and found his own path in the artistic world.
How do Julian and Sean Lennon get along?
Over the years, despite the complicated relationship that Julian had with his father and the different contexts in which they grew up, the half-siblings have managed to build a close relationship.
Both have talked about the mutual admiration they have for each other and how, over time, They have developed a strong brotherly bond. In 2021, the brothers shared a trip through California and attended the premiere of the documentary together. ‘Get Back’which shows the closeness they have built.
Julian and Sean Lennon, each in their own way, have inherited their father’s artistic and cultural legacy, but also They have forged their own identities. Although John Lennon is no longer physically present, his legacy lives on through his children, who continue to carry him in their hearts and careers.
