May Pang showcases her intimate photos of John Lennon at Ocean Art Gallery in Ormond Beach, revealing a unique glimpse into their time together.
Ormond Beach: May Pang is reflecting on the world and the political divide in America. She often hears people say they wish John Lennon were here to help find answers.
John was her partner for 18 months during a time he called “The Lost Weekend.” Pang, a talented photographer, will be at the Ocean Art Gallery to share her personal photos of Lennon, who was tragically killed in 1980.
One special photo in her collection shows Lennon signing the document that ended The Beatles, taken at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort back in 1974. Pang remembers the lawyers arriving with a mountain of paperwork.
She was called in to capture the moment but worried about the dim lighting. At the same time, she was concerned about Lennon’s son, Julian, being bored during the legal proceedings.
“Father & Son” is one of her touching photos featuring John and Julian. Pang still keeps in touch with Julian, who recently used one of her photos for his album cover.
Despite the Beatles breaking up, their Disney vacation was still a good time. Pang recalls Lennon being surprisingly upbeat about it all. “It was just over,” she said, but they still enjoyed being together.
At Disney World, Lennon could walk around without being recognized. Pang remembers a funny moment on the monorail when a dad thought he saw George Harrison instead of John.
She has many stories to tell, including the time Lennon surprised a group of lawyers during a meeting about Beatles business. Their reactions were priceless, with some scrambling to look presentable.
Pang also shares how Lennon and Paul McCartney stayed in touch, featuring one of the last photos of them together in her exhibition. She defends Lennon against the stereotype of him being a heavy drinker, saying it was a creative time for him.
She recalls how the “Lost Weekend” was actually suggested by Yoko Ono, leading to a burst of creativity for Lennon, including hit songs and albums. Pang even sang on one of his tracks.
Many of her candid photos show Lennon happy and relaxed, which is how she remembers him. Fans often tell her they’ve never seen such personal images of him before.
Pang has been touring her exhibition, “The Lost Weekend,” alongside her documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film, featuring Julian Lennon and Elton John, gives context to her photos.
She’s seen people moved to tears by her images of Lennon, understanding the impact he had on their lives. “He inspired us, and he was gone too soon,” she reflects.
Pang believes Lennon would encourage people to rise above today’s challenges, saying, “He truly believed love is the answer.”
