Julian Lennon: ‘I’m not part of the Beatles inner circle – never was’ | Photography

Bornate Liverpool native Julian Lennon, 61, was raised almost solely by his mother Cynthia, but spent his adult years working to emerge from the shadow of his famous father, John. Already a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, children’s author, documentary filmmaker and philanthropist, he’s now branching out into fine art photography with a new glossy book, The fragile moments of life. Spanning more than 20 years of work, it includes reporting while traveling around the world for his charity, the White Feather Foundation; a close-up of his half-brother, Sean Lennon, taken on tour; and candid glimpses of a royal wedding. He lives in Monaco.

How did your passion for photography begin?
I think I was about 11 when I first went to the States to see Dad, and he had a very simple brown leather Polaroid camera that he used a lot – I have it here. I was really fascinated. This immediacy was exciting. I tried to become a photographer with film, but I always had problems – although I have great patience in some areas, I have little in other circumstances. Then digital arrived.

Have you had any formal training?
Hell no, I always did everything organically. I never learned to read and write music. I’m self-taught and I prefer that. Most photographers know exactly what they are aiming for; I don’t know what I got until I look at the photos later. If I knew what I was doing, I think I would lose that spark, that creativity.

The cover image of the book is Charlène Wittstock, preparing to marry Prince Albert II of Monaco.
It was really weird. Charlene was in this tiny room with the hairdresser, the hairdresser’s assistant, the makeup artist, the makeup assistant – it was like a beehive. She looked completely stunned and said to me, “I’m not sure I can do that.” And I was like, “Wait, what do you mean? The photos, the wedding? I said, “Look, I don’t really know what I’m doing either, but it’s historic, you’re going to be a princess.”

Is your reflection caught in the mirror?
In fact, I’m in a few. It’s like where’s Waldo, but where’s Jules?

The captions are very wordy and longer than most. Is there any chance you’ll write a memoir?
I’m starting to do it. I thought it would be nice to tell my side of the story, but it won’t be a standard autobiographical book. I want something based more on art and emotions.

What drives you?
It’s always been “John Lennon’s son, John Lennon’s son,” and I’m going there, dammit. I said: what I need to do for myself, first and foremost, is build a body of work, a foundation that I can build on, that no one can take away from me. And I continue to do it. It’s not to show off, it’s just to prove to myself that I can actually do this stuff. I’m not interested in fighting other people’s opinions.

Your last album was Jude in 2022. Do you have any new musical projects in progress?
I started a band late last year and did some rehearsals in Los Angeles, and I was amazed at how great our sound was. The plan was to take part in a few late night American TV shows, including Graham Norton and Jools Holland, but unfortunately no one wanted me to take part so that was a bit disappointing. I’m not saying I leave music alone but it broke my heart, still does.

What do you think of the recent surge of interest in the Beatles? I think of Peter Jackson’s To come backthe restored Let it be sothat of Martin Scorsese Beatles 64…
It’s news to me half the time. I’m not part of the inner circle – I never have been. You have to understand that when dad left, when I was between three and five years old (it was a bit of a process), it was just mom and me, and we had nothing to do with the Beatles or dad. I visited him on rare occasions, but we were away a lot. I’m grateful that Sean and I get on like a house on fire – we’re best friends and he tells me what he can, but things are pretty secretive on the Beatles side.

This must seem strange even now.
Extraordinarily strange, but it doesn’t bother me. I’d rather be excited and impressed by what they’ve done and keep doing it. As a fan, I’m as curious as anyone, although I wonder: How is it possible that there is another Beatles movie?

You seem remarkably optimistic. How do you manage it?
I think it was Mom, watching how she handled what was thrown at her with love, grace, and positivity. I saw that this was the only way to move forward. You take the high road, become the better person, and try to learn from all the bullshit thrown at you. Without a doubt, I have had moments of depression and I still deal with very serious anxiety at times, but the only way is to overcome yourself. There’s no point in wallowing – been there, done that.

Have you already made a new year resolution and are you bound by it?
I made life resolutions. The most important thing was to quit smoking. When the bans started coming, I didn’t want anyone to tell me I couldn’t smoke, so I told myself. I was one of the heaviest smokers you could ever meet. I’ve always been quite shy, so I could sit at a bar and a cigarette would be a best friend and a guard. I quit suddenly and fell into a deep depression for a few years, but I stuck with it.