Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, has selected the ten records that altered his life in an interview with Goldmine. One of them, he revealed, brought him closer to his father. Julian chose his late father’s 1974 album ‘Walls and Bridges’ as one of his favorites and reflected on their connection at the time: “This is Dad’s album.” Yes, I played snare with one stick on it, if you can call that playing at all. Dad and I were seeing each other and getting along at the time, so not only was it a special time, but he was doing it while Elton [John] was there.”
It is no secret that Julian had a hard connection with his father when his parents divorced in 1968 as a result of John’s involvement with Yoko Ono. For many years after the divorce, the late Beatle had limited contact with Julian. The musician described his feelings after his father left home in a Guardian piece published in 2020: “Then, all of a sudden, my father vanished from the face of the earth.” At least, that was my impression. He and Yoko Ono were in a profound and public love. And I felt as if my mother and I had been forgotten.”
However, in the mid-1970s, John attempted to re-establish contact with his son, and their relationship apparently improved as a result of May Pang’s involvement. She persuaded Lennon to invite Julian and his mother, Cynthia, to pay her a visit, which was their first reunion in years. They kept in touch over the years. So, before John’s death in 1980, Julian and John reunited to some extent.