College Friends

Cynthia with her art college friends: Cynthia, Phyllis, Ann, Annette, and Jenny in June of 1961

Her Final Love: Noel

"All my life I have been searching for my own heart, and with Cynthia I have found my heart. My life is my home, and my home is where the heart lives."

Noel Charles, 2012

Noel Charles

Noel Henry Charles was born on December 20, 1940 in Trinidad to Henry Joseph Braithwaite (changing his last name to Charles) and Drucilla. His parents were very religious, his father was a Preacher while owned a shoe making and repair business. Noel had an older (adopted) sister Dorothy and a younger brother Courtenay. Behind his father's back, his mother abused Noel and Courtenay while Dorothy was the favorite spoiled child. In 1958, while attending London School of Economics, Noel becomes involved with a woman named Sonja, who was studying radiology. Noel worked as a social secretary for the student union at college and got an insight of night clubbing when he went to The Cromwellian. However his girlfriend Sonja got pregnant. They decided to put their daughter Lisa with foster parents while they were more focused on their studies. Noel and Sonja soon welcomed another daughter Penelope; but when she was born, Noel was living in Trinidad for four months. When he returned, Sonja had left Noel and vanished - she got married, and reclaimed Lisa from faster care system. Noel reunited with Lisa in the 1970s but never met Penelope. He left his school job worked at The Cromwellian for two years before going to Mallorca, where he met Alexandra Gefvert and moved to Sweden in 1967. They married and opened a restaurant & nightclub, Alexandra's in Sweden, which ran until 1988. In 1972, Noel and Alexandra opened another nightclub in Barbados, also called Alexandra's, but by 1976, they divorced. Noel moved around over the years (Mustique, Canada, New York, Sweden, England, then back to Barbados); After his divorce, Noel remarried to Victoria Richmond in 1984. They had a daughter, Chloe, the following year. After 6 months after Chloe's birth, the marriage fell apart and Noel left, yet they remained married for many years. He got into a relationship with Ann Eklund and they had a daughter, Rosanna, in 1989. 

Noel and his first wife, Alexandra

Noel and girlfriend Ann Eklund, with whom he shared a daughter Rosanna with.

In 1981, while in London, Noel met Julian Lennon at a nightclub, Tramps, and became good friends. Although Noel wasn't in the music business, he knew the people who were and tried to connect Julian for a record deal. 

"Noel Charles is the older brother I never had and also, in many ways, the father I always wanted. Today he remains one of my dearest friends"

Julian

During the Christmas holidays in 1998, Julian went to Barbados with Cynthia and her best friend Phyllis Mackenzie. Cynthia had recently broken up with Jim Christie (who fell in love with another woman and they announced it during a dinner party hosted by Jim... and Cynthia. Yikes! That's more worst than how Cynthia found John and Yoko together: Jim's breakup happened at a party!) Cynthia noticed Noel being around, Julian introduced them. At first, although they enjoyed each other's company, Noel and Cynthia rubbed each other the wrong way. However, a year later when Julian and Cynthia returned to Barbados to celebrate Christmas and New Years, Noel and Cynthia clicked. On New Year's Eve of 1999, Noel, Cynthia, Julian, and friends went out for dinner, then to Harry's Crocodile Den bar. Noel and Cynthia went to his home where they consummated their relationship on January 1, 2000. Julian and his friends took notice! Since their first meeting in 1998, Cynthia and Noel discuss writing memoirs; Cynthia offered her home (with two bedrooms) in Normandy for Noel to write in peace and quiet with no distractions. Noel promised to consider the idea. When they saw each other again a year later, Cynthia asked the book's progress and that her offer still stood. By the time Cynthia's flight was due, she and Noel were lovers; he agreed to move in with her and left Barbados that same day. 

"We're extremely happy."

Cynthia, 2000

“She’s awesome, I love her, and she’s supportive of my music. But that’s about where it ends.” 

Chloe Charles, Noel's daughter, 2013

After settling in Mallorca, Spain in a village called Bendinat, Noel propose to Cynthia. In May of 2002, Noel and Cynthia traveled to Toronto, Canada to visit his daughter Chloe and to settle Noel's divorce from Victoria. Once the divorce became official, Noel and Cynthia decided to get married in secret at City Hall on June 7, 2002, while the world was paying more attention to Paul McCartney's pending marriage to Heather Mills (on the 11th). Cynthia had previously swore off marriage after her third divorce in 1983, yet Noel managed to sweep Cynthia off her feet to walk down the aisle for the fourth time. Noel's friend Mel helped arrange the wedding, her boyfriend Nick gave Cynthia away, with Chloe and a friend of hers. Afterwards, they celebrated their wedding at Mel's apartment with champagne and McDonald's breakfast takeout. Julian was unable to attend but called in with his congratulations. 

"Julian moved here and said, 'you’ve got to come and live here', so we came! Simple as that. Julian was thinking about having a property for all of us to live in, together. We went all over the place, mainly the South West. This was the last house we looked at, we all just fell in love with it. But then Julian found another house and we ended up with this!" 

Cynthia, 2007

Life in Mallorca and with Noel was most likely the happiest Cynthia had ever been. Noel protected her, gave her the privacy she craved, had money to live on and to travel, and did not falter in the shadow of John Lennon. Noel had his fair share of mingling with celebrities and royalty. Noel and Cynthia went everywhere together, including Beatle events. I would say that Noel was Cynthia's love of her life, not John, though John was her first love (I know people would disagree with me, but after seeing photos, videos, and personal testimony, I stand by my belief). Noel and Cynthia were inseparable and socialized with friends frequently.

"I’m not really an ex-pat sort of person, I relish the fact that we have Spanish friends, we have German friends and a cross section of people whom we’ve met over the past five years."

Cynthia, 2007

Once a week, Noel and Cynthia would dine at La Cuchara.

"It’s really wonderful. The King Of Spain goes there. Peter, the owner is an old friend of Noel’s, probably his oldest friend, they went to college together and they’ve ended up on the same island."

Cynthia, 2007

Noel and Cynthia also loved to shop and would visit other cities in Spain. 

"One thing that is wonderful about Palma, is the shops, the fashions, the shoes, the leather…. and the prices! My husband and Julian are the real shoppers, they make sure that I’m well dressed!"

Cynthia, 2007

"I love Soller, if I didn’t live here I would live in Soller, I just love it. You have the mountains and you have the sea and you have the real character of Mallorca. And they have the most amazing events going on in Soller. But yes, if we weren’t here, that would be my move."

Cynthia, 2007

"Mallorca has something very very special… I’ve always said wherever I’ve lived, 'this is IT, this is it I love it', but….this is why you can never say never, or never say this is it forever…you never know what’s around the corner. I am very grateful that Mallorca was round the corner for me five years ago."

Cynthia, 2007

Noel and Cynthia in St. Martin's in January of 2011

Photographed by Chloe Charles

I think Mallorca may have been the longest place Cynthia had lived in, followed by Isle of Man. Unfortunately, fairy tales eventually came to an end. By 2010, Noel was diagnosed with prostate cancer; he died on March 10, 2013. He was buried on March 15th. Noel was Cynthia's longest husband by 10 years, 9 months, and 7 days; when he died, Cynthia became a widow ... probably something she never thought she'd be after her three divorces.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I bring this news to you today that my mother Cynthia’s husband, stepfather to me and friend for over 30 years, Mr. Noel Charles, passed away from cancer, on Mother’s Day, while sleeping … He was the greatest of men on so many levels, and brought much love and laughter to those all around and within his company. We raise a glass to the joy and happiness you brought us all. May you start building that nightclub in the sky A.S.A.P. as there’ve been a lot of mutual friends waiting for you. You will be remembered every day, and someday we shall all meet again.” 

Julian, 2013

“In the end, the love of her life was a man named Noel Charles. He brought her out of her shell and was her protector. When he passed away a couple of years ago, I saw the light go out in her eyes.”

May Pang, 2015

“It never goes, darling, that’s all I can say. Today I’m content. But content doesn’t last forever – it can last for just half an hour, an hour . . . two hours. At this particular point, I am content.”

Cynthia, 2014

Cynthia continued to live for 752 days after Noel died. I believed she continued to travel but literally shunned away from the public eye. Cynthia only made one public appearance for her son's White Feather Foundation gala, and only did one interview a few months before her death to reestablished herself as an artist. Since 2007, Cynthia and Noel took in a couple from Ukraine, Andreas and Natalie, to help with domestic duties and lived on their property. The following year, they had a son named Julian. Cynthia even drew the family in the last year of her life.

“They live with their little boy at the bottom of the garden. When Noel was really ill, Natalie and her husband Andreas were like angels. If God doesn’t come, he sends. When I lost Noel, my brain was all over the place. That’s why I did the picture. It was therapeutic. It made me feel calm. It made me feel positive.”

Cynthia, 2014

 

Some Famous Visitors of Kenwood

"We entertain very few. P.J. Proby was there one night and George Martin another. I think those are the only two we've specifically said 'Come to dinner' to, and made preparations. Normally I like people to drop 'round on the off chance. It cuts out all that formal entertaining business. We've just had Ivan and Jean down for a weekend - they're old friends from Liverpool, and Pete Shotton. The fellow who runs my supermarket came round on Saturday."

John, 1966

Obviously there were a number of guest far beyond from what I'll be writing about here. Family, friends, celebrities, hanger-ons, fans, they all went to Kenwood, usually for a meal, listening to music, watching TV, stuff you normally do when entertaining guests. 

Pete Shotton and Cynthia's mother were honorary live-ins. 

Other family visitors include John's sisters Julia and Jackie, his cousins Stanley, Leila, David and Michael, Aunt Mimi, Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Harrie, Aunt Nanny, Cynthia's brothers Charles and Anthony, John's father Alfred (his girlfriend Pauline was another live in but she didn't last as long as Pete and Lil), long time friends like Ivan Vaughan and Phyllis Mackenzie, list goes on. Of course, Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Ringo and Maureen Starr, George and Pattie Harrison, George and Judy Martin, Mal and Lil Evans, Neil Aspinall, Peter Brown, Tony Bramwell, Alistair Taylor, Derek and Joan Taylor, Terry Doran, and more from the Beatles circle were also frequent visitors.

I already wrote about Julia and Jackie, Aunt Mimi, and most recently Mike and Phyllis Nesmith visiting Kenwood in the past.

As for celebrities: Bob Dylan, P. J. Proby, Dudley Moore, Peter Cook, Alan Price, Victor Spinetti, Joan Baez, and more. 

I'm not going to go in chronological order but here are some interesting tidbits about some of Kenwood's visitors:

P. J. Proby in 1965 

To be honest with you, out of these celebrities, I know about P. J. Proby the very least, and after reading a bit about him while researching for this post, I'm rather glad I know next to nothing about this guy! Anyway, personal feelings aside, from 1964 until 1966, P. J. and John were buddies while Cynthia was... let's say I don't think P. J. was her favorite person but I don't think she disliked him either. P. J., John, and Cynthia socialized at each other's homes and coming home as the sun was coming up at dawn. 

"In spring of 1964, P.J. Proby, a Texan rocker from a wealthy oil and banking background, who looked and sounded like Elvis, was invited to appear on the first Beatles' TV show, Around the Beatles. Beyond his obvious talent, John was almost hypnotically fascinated by P.J.'s demonic, destructive nature. P.J. was like John's dark twin, a man who quickly found his way into the wilder circles and excesses of London society. He was a Jack Black man, lots of it, but John wasn't. To Cynthia's dismay, John started to hang out with the lean Texan who dressed like a cowboy during the day and in velvets, ruffled pirate shirts and buckled shoes by night......One evening they met up at the Ad Lib. P.J. just cruised through the booze, but John got hammered. P.J. roared with laughter when he told me the details of how the evening went from there, how Cynthia miserably trailed in their wake, begging John to take her home when they went on to a party in a basement apartment of a red brick Victorian mansion block in Bayswater, where I had mybedsit. Cyn was horrified when she realized that many couples- some of them titled- were into voyeuristic sex, while others were watching a blue movie. John was passed a massive reefer and took a deep, chest-convulsing drag. He passed it to Cynthia and she declined, so he took another drag. Poor John. Tough nut and Joe Cool felt waves of nausea sweeping over him and rushed to the bathroom,where he threw up into the large white bathtub."

Tony Bramwell

"I used to go over to his and Cynthia’s place every Saturday. I introduced him to bourbon. I went over there one day and, as I usually did, I started to pour the bourbon out at the coffee table and John said, 'Not for me.' And I said, 'None for you?' He said, 'No, I’m smoking the peace weed from now on.' And he pulled out this paper and it was very large and he rolls this joint and it wasn’t packed at all. It was all loose. He put it in his mouth and I knew when he lit it what was going to happen, but I kept my mouth shut. He lit the cigarette and it went Whoomph! Nearly burned his eyebrows off. So I said, 'John, I don’t even smoke cigarettes but let me show you how to pack those things. All my friends in California do this.' So I rolled him a joint. But that was the end of his and my boozing days. We drifted apart after that because he didn’t want to go out and raise hell anymore. He wanted to stay at home and get stoned all the time."

P. J. Proby, 2018

"I stayed very very close friends with John Lennon most of all. I’d go over to John’s house and Cynthia would cook me southern fried chicken and all kind of Texas food and everything. John and I would go up to his little room – Cynthia had given him one whole floor at the top of the house for himself and he had painted it all matte black and all matte red. That’s where he did his music and he had one room full of toy cars and a big racetrack and we would just race toy cars all day and play music."

P. J. Proby, 2012

"They were all very nice. Then one I got along with best was John. John was married to Cynthia and I was just going through a divorce, so we had something more in common. John and I were nearer each other's age. I was twenty-five and John was about twenty-four. I understood John's humor. The rest of 'em didn't have any humor, except for Ringo. He kind of sat in the background and didn't say very much. So John invited me out to his home. I'd go out there every weekend. I introduced him to Jack Daniels. So, I'd take about five fifths of Jack out there every weekend. Cynthia would make cornbread and corn on the cob and Southern food for me. Southern fried chicken. John and I just became very close. John and I would play pranks on people like Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones. We'd go over to Brian's house about three sheets in the wind and steal all of Brian's clothes and then go back to my place and wait for the phone to ring. Brian would call; 'Hey guys, please, please bring my clothes back. Your dirty laundry doesn't fit me anyway.' So, we'd just laugh and take all of his clothes back to him."

P. J. Proby

"We didn't really talk all that much. He had a house, this huge, huge mansion with hardly any furnishings in it. Cynthia had let him take the top floor in this three story mansion and that was his floor to do anything he wanted. So, he painted it mat black and mat red. In one huge, huge room he just laid down these tracks, almost like a train track, but it was for cars. He and I would sit up there for hours and hours and race these cars against each other. Then we'd go into a music room and sit down. He had every instrument in the world in there. We'd take turns playing different instruments. He really amazed me when I pulled out a steel guitar and he could play it. He could even play Country And Western on it."

P. J. Proby 

By 1966, the friendship petered out; P. J. moved on and, at this time of writing, is still alive.

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore were a British comedy team, very much like Laurel & Hardy, Martin & Lewis, with comedy sketches and music on their television show, Not Only... But Also. John appeared on the show quite a few times between 1964 and 1966, becoming friends with both men. Peter Cook was married to Wendy since 1963 (until 1971) and they had two children. Wendy was very much like Cynthia, I think, as she was an art student. One time in January of 1965, John and Cynthia were invited to Peter and Wendy's home in London for dinner. Their driver, Les Anthony, got lost and had to call for directions (this was before GPS was invented).

"When John and Cynthia Lennon were coming to dinner I made a special expedition down to the French butcher in Soho in order to do filet de boeuf en croûte — fillet of beef smothered in pâté de foie gras with truffles and wrapped in a jacket of puff pastry. It is the kind of thing that needs a quick blast in the oven and not to sit around after that. The Lennons were invited for 8 PM. The other guests — including Dudley and and his wife Suzy Kendall — were all there on time. Eight-thirty came and went. I retrieved the filet from the oven. Nine PM and we got a phone call from Lennon’s Rolls-Royce. Their driver was lost. It was nearer 10 when they arrived. My special meal eventually appeared, looking rather forlorn, and judging by the expression on John’s face I might as well have opened a can of beans."

Wendy Cook, 2006

Sounds like Beef Wellington that Wendy made. It was also the first time John and Cynthia had garlic.

"John and I also spent many an enjoyable evening in the company of Peter Cook and his first wife dining superbly at their home in Hampstead with such dinner companions as Dudley Moore and that and that great wit Patrick Campbell. It was all very stimulating and exciting being able to converse and socialize with people who only a few short years before had been names in the newspapers and faces on a screen."

Cynthia, 1978 from her book A Twist of Lennon

In her second book, John, Cynthia wrote that Peter and Wendy invited them for lunch. Cynthia was impressed with the style of their home. John joined in on the jokes with Peter and Dudley; at one point, John nudged Cynthia under the table smiling at her - this was great! As they were leaving, John invited Dudley, Peter, and Wendy over to his house for a meal the following week. Cynthia was horrified! At the time, her cooking skills improved since becoming a wife but she felt she couldn't compete with the meal Wendy served. Cynthia was covered with cutlery, dinner table settings, and a wine cellar (despite not knowing what wine goes with what food). As the date got closer, Cynthia settled on prawn cocktails for appetizers, roast lamb as main course, and apple crumple pudding for dessert. At the last minute, Dudley had to cancel due to work; John promised to be home on time from the recording studio by 8 PM. A half hour before the arrival, Cynthia realized no flowers and stumbled in the garden while dark. She changed and was ready when The Cooks came on time, but not John. Cynthia served nuts and crisps (chips) in bowls to nibble on and drinks while waiting for John. Cynthia tried her best to keep the conversations going and Julian played cute while the food was disintegrating in the oven. If only Cynthia knew that Wendy experienced the same thing! John finally came late night, stoned to calm his nerves and lost track of time. John still had joints, Peter and Wendy accepted and when dinner was served they ate it with no problems despite overcooked. The dinner gathering was a success and they socialized often. 

Joan Baez and Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan and Joan Baez were also guests, usually 'I'm in town, can I come over?' type when in town, usually separately. After the Cooks dinner gathering, Cynthia got cookbooks and expanded her social skills and confidence, welcoming people into her home while John would rather not but went along with it. On May 26, 1966, Bob spent the night in Kenwood and the next day, May 27th, John and Bob rode around in a limo while being filmed for Bob's documentary, Eat the Document.

Cynthia and Phyllis Mackenzie in 1964

After John and Cynthia moved to Kenwood in 1964, John was away on tour and Cynthia found the house lonely. She invited Phyllis to visit for a few weeks.

"Down south there didn't seem to be the casual dropping in on friends that I'd known in the north. Visits, however friendly, were by appointment only. Even my old mates seemed to fall away as if they were embarrassed by the wealth and luxury. My best friend Phyl came to stay once but she didn't come back. She couldn't handle it. Besides, she was married now with her own life to lead and these days our paths lay in different directions."

Cynthia, 1994

Cynthia and Phyllis went shopping, did their hair, and talked. By this time A Hard Day's Night was released in cinemas; Phyllis hadn't seen it yet so Cynthia took her to see it. She missed her husband and it was a chance to see him and hear his voice on film. Apparently it was Phyllis' only visit, Cynthia made it sound Phyllis was intimidated by the wealth but I think it was really because Phyllis was having her own life with marriage and eventually a child. 

 

Cynthia the Artist

"My talents and aspirations had to be put on the back burner, but that was as much my fault as anybody else's." 

Cynthia, 1999

"People say Cynthia was a mundane, hometown girl, 'mumsy' - your average Mrs Liverpool. That's a load of nonsense. Cynthia was a highly talented woman in her own right. She painted, she drew, she sculpted, she designed." 

Julia Baird

“I’m not a painter: I’m an illustrator, a linear artist. I do lines.” 

Cynthia, 2014

Cynthia with her sketches in August of 1981

As a young girl, Cynthia loved art- it was the only subject in school she was good at. One time, her brother Charles was dating a fashion designer who presented Cynthia the world of art. At the age of 11, Cynthia submitted a drawing of a ballerina for the Liverpool Echo art competition and won a prize. The following year, she was accepted in Junior Art College before going to Liverpool Art College in September of 1957 studying graphics. 

"One weekend the effort turned out to be well worthwhile, because Charles' latest girlfriend was a fashion designer. She gave me an exquisite watercolour she'd painted of a fashion model dressed in the lean, elegant style of the period. It was a revelation to me. I was so impressed. To think that she earned her living doing this. Art needed not be a hobby but could be a way of life. I stuck the picture on my bedroom wall and tried to copy it. One day, I promised myself, as I attempted my umpteenth version of those long, economical brush strokes, one day I was going to be just like Charles' girlfriend. By 12 it seemed as if I was right in course. I'd failed my 11-plus but I was allowed to sit a special exam for Liverpool's Junior Art School which accepted children from 12 to 17. To my delight I won a place there and settled down to five perfect years. The whole situation could have been tailor-made for me. I travelled the trains with my dad, spent my days in the small, red-brick school opposite the cathedral doing the things I loved best - drawing and painting - and I met up with the girl who was to become a lifelong friend, Phyllis."

Cynthia, 1994

"I drew a ballerina, sent it in and won a pound."

Cynthia, 2014

"I always loved art. My first prize in the Liverpool Echo for a drawing gave me so much encouragement. It was all I wanted to do from then on- I was 11. John's sketches were rude, crude and hilarious - that's why I fell in love with him." 

Cynthia, 1999

"Well, you go to art school and you try everything out first. You do the foundation year and then you choose what is your potential. I went into more or less commercial art illustration, whereas John [Lennon] went into painting eventually." 

Cynthia

Cynthia's enrollment forms for Liverpool College of Art

In 1959, she helped paint the Casbah Club before it's opening with a silhouette of her boyfriend John Lennon. Cynthia dreamed of becoming an art teacher or a commercial art illustrator but by 1962, it was pushed aside by pregnancy and marriage. Around the time John was in Hamburg, Cynthia started her teaching training, being like an assistant and observer. She went to two different schools, little children and older teenagers… Cynthia liked the little ones better. One time while with the older group, the main teacher was absent so Cynthia subbed for her, helping the students with their project which they ultimately destroyed. There was also a paranoia Cynthia had wondering if anybody was a regular audience member to watch her boyfriend play. John was not supportive of Cynthia's ambitions; he wanted her focus and attention on him while they were dating. It was only when he needed her help to pass classes that John relied on her talent, as he did using Stuart Sutcliffe and Thelma Pickles. John failed first… his attention and ambitions were elsewhere: music. And he ultimately quit as the day he left for Hamburg in August of 1960 was the day he no longer set foot into Liverpool College of Art. Yet he continued to doodle and it wasn't until much later when John took art seriously. Cynthia held on going to college as she was determined. Yes, her lack of attention to her work suffered while with John but once he was in Hamburg, Cynthia refocused her ambitions… until August of 1962 when she discovered she was pregnant. Then, Cynthia dropped out. 

"I've never ever had a goal in life, apart from wanting to do art and get my qualifications. I thought I'd take a teacher's diploma and teach."

Cynthia, 2014

"When I was married to John? No, no, I was busy looking after Julian and, you know, it was an incredible time, so really I had very little time to carry on with art." 

Cynthia, 1982

"Even though we were at Liverpool College of Art together he was not supportive of my painting. He didn't have time. My painting had to go out of the window. I left college when I became pregnant with Julian and so I didn't get my piece of paper to say I was going to be an art teacher. All I've got is a National Diploma- which I'm very proud of and which hangs on my wall."

Cynthia

Although Cynthia never fully gave up art. She continued to sketch and paint, especially by 1967 as Julian was getting older and going to school. Unfortunately, John wasn't always keen with her artistic talent; one time (probably 1966 or 1967) John bought home a white television. Cynthia decided to paint it and was proud of her work. The following morning, she glanced over to check on her work but was disappointed to see stickers all over it. John had come home and covered Cynthia's work… was he stoned? High on LSD? Or wasn't happy with the painted television that he covered it with stickers? While in India with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, during free time from meditation, Cynthia painted and started to write poetry; for Pattie Harrison's birthday, Cynthia gave her a painting which Pattie still has to this day (unfortunately it's not hung up or anything, it's put away somewhere like in an attic or something but at least it's kept!).

Cynthia with her sketchpad on Southampton Beach in Long Island, New York during her first art exhibition at Tower Gallery in September of 1981. 

Photographed by Raeanne Rubenstein

In 1978, Cynthia published her illustrations of her marriage to John Lennon in her book 'A Twist of Lennon' and by 1981, started having exhibitions. When Cynthia was running her Oliver's Bistro, her artwork hung on the walls. In 1979, Cynthia returned to college (Wrexham College in Wales) after a teacher friend persuaded Cynthia to go and explore creative freedom and learn more. In 1981, Cynthia was approached by architect David Backhouse to contribute a design for Cavern Walks, Mathew Street in Liverpool before it's opening in 1984. 

In 1983, Cynthia signed a 3-years contract with Vantona Vyella designing bedding, napkins and textiles and in 1988, she designed her own perfume packaging. 

"I've done a lot of commercial paintings over the years - designs for napkins and bedding and that sort of thing - and everything else I have done has always been connected with communication and art, but it has never been just for me, for my own personal pleasure. So it's a sort of full-circle situation, which is a joy." 

Cynthia, 1999

Cynthia drawing a portrait of herself and Julian in 2014

Photographed by Samantha Hemsley

Cynthia continued doing art until her death. At this time, Julian doesn't seem to have any plans to showcase his mother's artwork. Cynthia did once mention that if she was going to write another book, it would feature her art. Unfortunately, Cynthia never got the chance and it's unknown what Julian wants to do.

"Well, if you think about it, in this day and age, anything can go as art. If you think about Tracy Emin and other artists who are sort of conceptual...an un-made bed, dirty clothes, etc, etc. They now call it art. As far as I'm concerned, I'm very old-fashioned. Art is hard work. Art is after years and years of training and years and years of appreciating art. For me, if I look at something, I say 'My God that's a lot of work gone into that with a lot of quality and there's a lot of experience.' Anyone I think and I believe can produce a piece of art that is an un-made bed or a pair of shoes. That's a matter of opinion, you know." 

Cynthia

"At last I'm painting for myself. God knows, I haven't stopped working for the past 16 and a half years, but I was painting not for me, but to earn a living. The Lennon name was used beautifully so that I had contracts for textiles, paper products. Then when I went to Normandy two and a half years ago I decided that was the end of working commercially. I was now going to paint. I've done a great deal, including a portrait of Julian, and a Venus de Milo. At least I'm doing what I've wanted to do forever." 

Cynthia, 1999

“Just to satisfy my creative urges and take my mind off a lot of things I want my mind taken off. I had all those years of training, with so many interruptions. Now all of a sudden, and tragically, I have the space to start again. Even if it’s just one picture from the heart, I would like Noel to be proud of me; I’d like Julian to be proud of me. The artist is starting over."
Cynthia, 2014

Cynthia at her Pen & Ink Drawings exhibition at Tower Gallery in Long Island, New York on September 5, 1981. 

Photographed by Ron Galella

Cynthia only held two exhibitions during her lifetime and, since 1999, Cynthia's drawings are on permanent display at The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool after being hung in her home since 1978. The first exhibition was Pen & Ink Drawings exhibition at Tower Gallery in Long Island, New York in September of 1981. Yoko Ono sent her a telegram wishing Cynthia luck. 

“All of a sudden I’d love to be a successful artist. The time is right for me. It’s like, well, starting over.” 

Cynthia, 1981

"I did them from memory. They’re for history.” 

Cynthia, 1981

"Oh, it was pure chance, really. I don’t know if you read about it, because I did a few interviews. No, it was just purely — I was running a restaurant at the time in North Wales and a friend of mine [Peter Brown] who is from the old days came to the restaurant, also with another friend [Stephen Gaines], and saw my drawings from the book there on the walls. He’s working on a book with him at the moment. And they came to have a chat, and they came to see the restaurant and see me. And the drawings were on the wall and Stephen Gaines said that he knew somebody on Long Island who had a gallery, it happened to be Gary Lajeski, and he took some photographs and sent them to Gary, and Gary liked them and invited me to come, so that’s how it all began." 

Cynthia, 1982

Cynthia at her second exhibition Lennon & McKenzie at KDK Gallery in London, June of 1999

The second exhibition was Lennon & McKenzie, teamed up with long-time best friend Phyllis at KDK Gallery, co-owned by Pauline Sutcliffe, sister of Stuart, in London on June 2, 1999. 

"That's meant to be a joke." 

Cynthia, 1999; about naming the exhibition 'Lennon & McKenzie'

"She's the classic artist and painter. I'm an illustrator and this exhibition came up by pure chance. We've known each other since we were 12 and we then went to Liverpool Art College together, where I met John. Phyllis and I are like two peas in a pod. She was actually the one who took me to the hospital when Julian was born." 

Cynthia, 1999

"I want to do more exhibitions, and I am having a wonderful time tonight - there are so many people here I have not seen for so many years. This is a night for family and friends - it is wonderful to see John's sisters." 

Cynthia, 1999

"John would have loved all this and would have been really pleased for Cynthia - she was always a fine artist. We are all going out for a family meal."

Julia Baird, 1999

"The drawings have been in a brown paper envelope for years. Now, I'm getting rid of the lot! I'm finally moving forward to paint exactly what I want in my own right. It's time to say, 'Get thee behind me Beatles!'" 

Cynthia, 1999

On blog note: I have and will continue to do post Cynthia's artwork. You check out on the side called LABELS ➡ Artwork by Cynthia.

Welcome to the World

Cynthia and Julian in Liverpool

Photographed by David Birch

Near the end of Cynthia's pregnancy, John was hardly home. He was on tour and his next break was for a few weeks at the end of April. John was calling home more frequent- maybe receiving more money now that The Beatles’ debut album Please Please Me was released and earning money from touring. Cynthia wasn't too sure on her due date; today we have more high technology than it was like in 1963. She was originally due in March but no baby despite having a few false labor. On April 6th, Cynthia went out shopping with Phyllis Mackenzie on Penny Lane. John was in Buxton, near Sheffield, about an hour and a half away from Liverpool- probably the closest he was to Cynthia during Julian's birth and was due to travel deep down south of England to Portsmouth the following day (the 7th). Now, remember, this was in 1963. The public did not know John was married, much less had a baby on the way. Everything was tip-top strict tight on exact schedule and John couldn't just say, “Bye! Off to be there for my wife!” plus not with Brian Epstein there tapping his watch and ordering the boys to go on stage for show time. There were also no cell phones, and even for a simple phone call, it was not cheap. I think things got somewhat looser in the 1970s or so where the father can be there for the birth of his child when rearranging schedule. But in showbusiness, the show must go on. In 1963, John certainly did not have that power nor did he had a say-so as he did in 1975.

“It was a bright Saturday early in April 1963 and Phyl wanted to go shopping. I was feeling a little strange as if something might happen, but the doctor had told me I probably had another 2 weeks to go so I thought it would be all right. Anyway, we took the bus to Penny Lane- which was a suburban center lined with small shops and the odd boutique as we called them then. We mooched about looking at baby clothes and giggling over the fashion garments that were impossibly small for me in my pregnant state. Phyl was just trying on a pair of shoes when I started getting these terrible stomach pains. They went off quite quickly but a few minutes later, there they were again. 'Phyl, I think we’d better get back to Mimi's,’ I said when I could catch my breath. 'I think something might be happening.’ Back in my room, we didn't know what to do for the best. The pains would go off for a while and then when I least expected it they’d come back. 'I think I’d better stay the night,’ Phyl said kindly. 'Just in case.’ The evening passed and we went to bed but by 2 in the morning the pains were back with vengeance. By now it was unbearable. 'You’ll have to phone an ambulance, Phyl,’ I gasped. Phyl began to panic. She was running around in her nightie, hair full of rollers, looking for the phone. 'What’s the number? What’s the number?” she called, fingers scrabbling with the dial. 'Oh, yes, 999.’ I heard her spelling out Mimi's address and soon afterwards the ambulance arrived. I picked up my pre-packed bag, Phyl dragged on her dressing gown and off we went in the ambulance without a glimpse of Mimi the whole time. She didn't emerge from upstairs. Perhaps she slept through the whole thing. At the hospital I was put in a wheelchair and whisked off to the maternity ward but Phyl was stopped at the door.”

Cynthia, 1994

Phyllis couldn't get back to Mimi's from the ambulance so she walked, trying to hitch a ride from a taxi. One stopped and allowed her to owe him fare to take her to Mimi's and went to bed until she heard Mimi vacuuming outside the door- a thing she would do to Cynthia to wake up, even on weekends, at 7 AM. Phyllis gathered her belongings and went back home, maybe filled Mimi in on what happened and where Cynthia was.

Cynthia in labor at Sefton General Hospital surrounded by patients and visitors in Liverpool

Artwork by Cynthia

“Up in the ward I’d embarked on a long, long labor. I was put next to another girl who was also having a difficult time. We were both given gas and air which made me groggy but caused her to flip completely. Suddenly, I heard her say, 'I’m going home to Mother.’ There was a rustling from her bed. 'I can't stand it,’ she added, 'I’m going…’ and then this bulky thing in a white nightie rushed past me and disappeared down the ward. I think they had quite a job getting her back.”

Cynthia, 1994

Before the mysterious girl left, she was unmarried while Cynthia was married but had to pretend to everyone that she wasn't. They both were getting dirty looks from other married patients and staff of nurses and doctors, maybe the janitor too. In time speaking, Cynthia was in regular intense labor pains from April 7th at 2 AM until she gave birth by 6 AM on April 8th, so in total around 28 hours of labor. It may have felt forever, I bet! As for the girl, a part of me wonders what happened to her? Where did she end up having her baby? Was it a boy or a girl? I guess we will never know!

“Julian was finally born at 6 AM on Monday, April 8. It was a harsh experience. By then I was so exhausted. I didn't think I could go on. 'If you don't push harder, your baby will die,’ they told me brutally. I did the best I could but Julian finally came into the world with the aid of forceps. When Julian finally arrived I was besotted. John was on tour but managed a fleeting visit on the third day. He was 6 lbs 8 oz and absolutely gorgeous. I was completely besotted. I couldn't get over the size of his little hands. Such miniature perfection was breathtaking. The only minor blemish was a mole on his head with hair growing out of it. Being a typical first time mum, I was embarrassed by this. I kept him in bonnets for a long time until his hair grew and covered it completely.”

Cynthia, 1994

This was the only time Cynthia mentioned that forceps were used in her HELLO! magazine special but nothing in her two books or any interviews or book participation.

“After 3 days on gas and air I was in a terrible state. I remember a nurse saying with a great Scouse urgency at the very end: 'If you don't push now, girl, he’s going to be dead.’ Not very nice, but it worked! It all seems such a lifetime away now, but it was worth every ache, groan, and anguish.”

Cynthia, 1999

“I was something like 3 days in hospital before Julian arrived and then he had jaundice, the umbilical cord was around his neck, and he had a very large mole on his head. He had to be left alone for 24 hours; I couldn't touch him. I was petrified about all these things. But I was scared more than anything about the birthmark, the mole. Knowing John's horror of deformities, I was absolutely panic-stricken about what John's reaction would be. When John came in, I decided not to hide it. I said: 'Oh he’s beautiful, wonderful, John, but he has this birthmark on his head.’ John replied, 'Oh it doesn't matter. His hair will grow over that.’ I was still bothered because I wanted the perfect child for John, but he couldn't have cared less. He was just thrilled, the typical father.”

Cynthia, 1985

The Beatles around the time John's first born son Julian was born

Three days? Many sources say that Cynthia went into the hospital by April 6th, which would make 2 days. Math time: Julian was born April 8… 8 - 3 = 5. So, technically speaking, Cynthia went shopping on April 4th, went into the hospital in the early morning hours on April 5th, spent the remaining 5th, then 6th and 7th in labor, in and out of consciousness due to receiving gas and air before giving birth in the morning of the 8th. Does that sound right to you? Or, to give the sources of April 6th a benefit of the doubt, Cynthia was groggy due to the gas and I am positive that being in labor before giving birth felt like eternity so it may have affected her mind. Of course, Cynthia must have documents of her hospital bill the provides the date she was admitted so, of course, she would know better than the sources. Mimi called Sefton General Hospital to check on Cynthia and the baby's arrival and visited once. John was still calling Mimi for updates and maybe called the hospital himself. But Mimi was the one who told John that his son was born; he was very happy but he couldn't come home right away. On April 8th, John was in Leyton with the Beatles and on the 9th, he was in London for a concert, and doing TV and radio appearances. It wasn't until the 12th that John was in Liverpool (or very late on the 11th after being in Middletown, which is close to Liverpool) due to appear at the Cavern. That morning, on the 12th, John dressed in a disguise and went to the hospital to see his son for the very first time. Before John's arrival, Cynthia was moved to a private room (thanks to Brian) but it had a window to see through. Some did recognize John in his disguise.

“A few did recognize me. 'There’s one of them,’ I heard someone shout, and I had to run for it.”

John, 1968

“John and Cynthia had stayed at Mendips throughout the winter and spring in their newly created ground floor flat. Julian was born 8 April 1963 in Sefton General Hospital where Jackie and I were both born. The birth was extremely arduous and Cynthia was exhausted. Some of the fans have heard about the baby, so she had to be moved to a private ward. Brian wanted the birth, like the wedding, to be a low-key affair. John couldn't come for a few days, as he was touring in the south of England, but when he did he was thrilled with John Charles Julian, to be known as Julian, for our mother. He picked him up, saying, 'Who’s going to be a famous little rocker like his Dad?’ and, 'He’s bloody marvelous, Cynthia!’ We all went round to Mendips to see the new arrival, the day that Cynthia arrived back from the hospital. None of us children had been to the hospital to see the latest member of the family. Mimi went, but no one else. So this was the first time that Jackie and I had seen our nephew.”

Julia Baird

Let's hold off on Cynthia and Julian’s homecoming for the moment. My mind is still in the hospital part.

Julian and John in the backyard of Mendips, Liverpool around Autumn of 1963 

“It was 3 days before John was able to visit his son. He’d been phoning Mimi’s every night to see how I was and she’d given him the good news. Flowers arrived but for 3 days I had to sit there on my own watching the other dad's coming in, until the Beatles’ tour come close enough to allow John a fleeting trip to Liverpool. I understood, of course, but at times I couldn't help feeling a pang. But on the 3rd day, it was all forgotten when the ward doors burst open and in swept John, black peaked cap pulled down over one eye, leather coat flying. Everyone stared and John stared back. 'You’re going to have a private room,’ he said, giving me a hug. Then he looked at the baby and he was over the moon. He couldn't get over the fact that this tiny little creature was his son. He picked him up in awkward hands and stared down into the impassive little face. It was a miracle...Brian presented us with the most beautiful Silver Cross pram- a real classy affair in pale grey- the sort you saw nannies pushing around Hyde Park. I’d bought a carry cot and a crib, Mum had knotted endless woolies, and Mimi had contributed the non-woolen outfits. So, despite his unplanned start, Julian arrived well provided for. A week after his birth, I took him home to learn how to be a mother and John went on holiday to Spain.”

Cynthia, 1994

John was home from the 12th (when he first saw Julian) until the 15th when the tour resumed and ended on the 27th when John went to Spain with Brian. According to Julia, John was home in Mendips when Cynthia and Julian arrived home by taxi. I guess it didn't occur to anybody for John to take them home, or maybe it did? John was already recognized at the hospital while visiting, so taking them home would have been much more suspicious. Also, John couldn't drive. If John saw Julian the 12th, then Cynthia may have been released by the 13th or maybe even the 14th. I recall her saying she was there for about a week.

“John was there, holding Julian, and so was Nanny. It was a welcome the baby gathering. When we arrived, they were all standing in a group by the morning room window, peering at him from this angle and that side. They said they could see John and Cyn in this sleeping bundle. He was the next new thing!”

Julia Baird

“I remember Cynthia coming home from the hospital and going into Mimi's morning room. Mater and Stan were there. We were all gawking at this baby. He was called John Charles Julian Lennon and he had a birthmark on his head. Of course it's covered by hair now, so perhaps I shouldn't say. When a child is born you can see a parent in them and to me he looked very like Cynthia.”

Julia Baird, 1986

“He was brought home immediately to Mendips, where we all gathered. My teenage recollection is that he squawked and never stopped crying, but he was the baby who brought all the family together.”

Julia Baird, 1998