Right of Family Privacy

John and Cynthia at his In His Own Write luncheon, April of 1964

Early on, John must have known how difficult fame could be on Cynthia and Julian. Girls (and some boys) would not only scream and make a grab on John, they were also voyaging to wherever he lived. Obviously they would encounter his wife and baby. Same with reporters/photographers hoping for a front page attention money grabber shot… much like today! However, in 1964, it wasn't as bad as it is today. There was no social media, no TMZ… there were photographers floating around the streets but I don't think the term paparazzi came about until around the time Princess Diana died in 1997. There was a time where there were a few and far between moments, there was obsession, yes, but not as tense and there was a respectable limitations in 1964. People knew things but kept their mouths shut. Now? 6 or more digits of a check dangling in your face hoping for a juicy piece of gossip to put out there. Now, I don't know how John would really know this: to be honest, I can't think of anybody in John's position to know what to do. He may have gone with his instincts. John didn't exactly have anybody in his position to look up to: Elvis Presley wasn't married until 1967, Buddy Holly was married but wasn't exactly a 'dreamboat’ despite being 22 before his death, Bill Haley was married but was practically a middle-aged man, Ricky Nelson was a dreamboat but his girlfriend/wife was integrated into his family's TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Same with Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Fabian, Jerry Lee Lewis, you name them, none of them weren't exactly in John's level: a handsome young dreamboat that can make girls swoon with a bonus talent of being a talented musician who had a wife and baby at home. John also quickly learned the line between public and private lives. To us, the fans, John was a musician, songwriter, author, actor, a place to showcase his talent through music, films, and art. To Cynthia and Julian, John was a father, husband, the breadwinner who wore his glasses that majority of the public didn't know until a few years later behind closed doors. I suppose going through magazines with celebrities posing at home with their families was a turn off for John, although he did participate on rare occasions (1965 and 1967, but more about those at another time). In 1966, after John made his The Beatles were more popular than Jesus comment, there was a kidnapping threat on Julian that understandably upset John and especially Cynthia; it does explain why John tend to keep Cynthia and Julian away from The Beatles’ popularity. John continued to dislike seeing his children in magazines and newspapers up until he died in 1980. John also must have known that his fame would be hard on Julian, and later Sean. Nevermind that both boys would be following their father’s musical footsteps and would be constantly compared to John.

A 'paparazzi' shot of Cynthia outside her London apartment, 1964

"I like to keep my work and my private life separate, which is why I keep Cynthia out of the picture. I took her to America because a trip like that comes once in a lifetime, and she deserved it. I'd dearly have loved to take her to Australia, but the schedule looks too grueling."

John, 1964

“I want my wife to lead a normal life and not be pestered night and day just because she’s married to one of the Beatles. My wife married me, not because I’m a Beatle, but because she loves me. Why should she have to be bothered by publicity?”

John, 1964

“I think Cynthia brought out a soft side to John we didn't see very often. He really protected her and Julian in the early days and made sure they weren't being harassed or bothered so he denied he had a family. She was a really nice girl, always made me feel like I wasn't the runt of the band.”

George Harrison

“Mum and I really lived an isolated life, away from the madness of the Beatles. Dad protected us from a lot of that for a long time.”

Julian

"At first it was quite easy-going because I was kept away from any publicity; so much so that once I was left standing with all our luggage whilst John and the other Beatles pulled out of the station on the train! I was surrounded by the fans and nobody recognised me. A policeman thought I was another fan and stopped me getting on the train. And that wasn't the first time it had happened!"

Cynthia, 1999

I have to say, I saw your wife on TV and she is very, very lovely (Interview, April of 1964)

“My wife? What was she doing on television?”

Filmed with you in New York. You didn't know, but you were

“When was she on?”

At one particular time when you were making a guest appearance in the U. S. and they panned the cameras off on her.

“Oh! Sneaky.”

You didn't know a thing about it, did you?

“No!”

Why do you prefer not to talk about your marriage? (Interview, June of 1964)

“For only one reason- that sort of thing is personal. It's really private business.”

But what if your fans want to know?

“For the record, here are the facts: I met Cynthia in Art School and I flipped for her. Soon, we were married. We now have one 8 month old son, Julian."

Where do you live?

“For the time being, we stay with Aunt Mimi or Cynthia's Mum when we're not traveling. I try to take Cynthia everywhere I go.”

Does she like the notoriety of being your wife? (Interview, 1964)

She prefers to just stay in the background as long as the people know that I'm married. She just wants to be a normal housewife as much as she can be, married to a Beatle, mind you.

You've kept your son out of, uh - out of the press. Has that been your own doing, or is it that the press is not really interested in your son? (Interview, February 1965)

“I don't know, you know. They want pictures, I suppose, but - you know, I just - he's gonna have enough problems as it is being my son, getting pictures in when he's a kid, y'know. I don't like family pictures, anyway.”

Is Julian ever bothered, John, because having a, obviously, very famous father? (Interview, September of 1974)

“Well, ‘cause he doesn't know anything different, you see. You know, if you are the 'son of’, I guess you're lumbered with it, you know? He’s very normal, in the nicest sense of the word. And I think that's probably due to his mother who sort of, you know, put him - we made sure he went into ordinary schools, you know. And mixed with ordinary kids. So I think he’ll survive it as well as you can survive being the son of Dracula or whatever.”

“Before we got to Disneyland, John said firmly, ‘We have to watch out for photographers. I don’t believe in having a kid’s picture taken just because he has a famous dad. I hate all those stars using their families to get free publicity by having themselves photographed with their children. If I see a photographer, I’ll break his fuckin’ camera.’”

May Pang, 1983

"It's nice of them to show just the back of the baby. I don't want pictures of Sean going around. Most stars, as soon as they have a baby, put it on the front page: 'I've just had a baby!' I'm not interested in that. It's dangerous. You know, we make no pretense of being average Tom, Dicks or Harry – we make no pretense of living in a small cottage or of trying to make our child into an average child. I tried that game with my son Julian, sending him to a comprehensive working-class school, mixing with the people, but the people spat and shit on him because he was famous, as people are wont to do. So his mother had to finally turn around and tell me to piss off: 'I'm sending him to a private school, the kid is suffering here.'"

John, 1980

Interestingly enough, as much as John wanted to keep Cynthia (Julian and Sean) away from the spotlight, he had no problems with flaunting his relationship and marriage to Yoko Ono to the press and public. I’ll save this thought for another post.

Belated Honeymoon in Paris

Paris, France

September 16, 1963 - October 2, 1963

John in Paris, September of 1961

Photographed by Paul McCartney

In September of 1963, the Beatles had two weeks off between tours and recording. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr opted to go to Greece with their girlfriends, Jane Asher and Maureen Cox. George Harrison went to Benton, Illinois with his brother Peter to visit their sister Louise. As for John? He decided that it was now time to take Cynthia somewhere on their belated honeymoon. They couldn't do it after they got married: John was on tour. They couldn't do it after Julian's birth: Cynthia was still recovering from birth and John used that break to go to Spain with his manager. September seemed like the right time: Julian was now on the bottle, Cynthia was fine, so honeymoon was a perfect time to go. Cynthia arranged for Julian to be with Aunt Harrie and his young Aunts, Julia and Jacqui. Nevermind Aunt Mimi… bet she was happy to have the house to herself while everyone was away. Lillian was still in Canada.

On the day of their departure, a very excited Cynthia came down with probable food poisoning and had the taxi cab driver pull over countless times. So much so that John was at the verge of cancellation. But Cynthia said No! We are going, end of story. I bet she would still go if she had been in a coma. She was not going to let this opportunity to be with her husband slip through her fingers! By the time she got on the plane and in Paris, Cynthia was fine. John and Cynthia stayed at George V Hotel. Their room was beautiful, Cynthia felt out of place… she felt it was too fancy for what she was used to. Maybe felt like she might break something expensive. She was used to small cramped up spaces that were dark and weary, rather than bright spacious room with expensive antiques. It was certainly a Wow factor, impressive and exciting. She was finally exposed to John's growing wealth. John wanted to spoil his wife. He had been to Paris an over a year before during his 21st birthday and went with Paul. I guess Paris impressed John as well: not only Cynthia but he also took Yoko Ono there for their own honeymoon in 1969. I wouldn't be surprised if John had picked Paris to live rather than New York if it wasn't for Yoko and her love for the city.

Cynthia wearing her white beret and coat John bought her in Paris during their honeymoon in New York City on February 7, 1964

John took Cynthia to the sights: the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Le Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and walked along the embankment. He bought himself a movie camera (where are those home movies?) and bought Cynthia a white beret, a gray coat, a leather skirt, and Chanel No 5. among other things.

John, Cynthia, Astrid, and Astrid's friend in Astrid's hotel bed after a night of drinking in Paris, September of 1963.

Artwork by Cynthia

About mid-way into their time in Paris, John and Cynthia arrived back to their hotel  after sightseeing and a receptionist handed them a note. It was from Astrid Kirchherr. She somehow heard that John and Cynthia were in Paris… how did she find out? The only culprit I can think of is Jürgen Vollmer. Jürgen was a Hamburg friend who moved to Paris; during John and Paul's trip to Paris, they met up together and he cut John and Paul's hair into the 'Beatle’ hairdo. John and Cynthia could have met up with Jürgen and he told Astrid when she also saw him (or by phone?). Astrid was also in Paris for a quick holiday with a girl pal. She suggested to meet up and left her number. They immediately went to their room to call and that night went out until the wee hours and drank. Then the happy foursome went to Astrid and the girl’s hotel room and drank some more- yeah… John and Cynthia weren't going to go anywhere in their state of mind; they were so drunk. They all piled into Astrid and the girl's single bed and slept it off.

At some point during the trip, Brian Epstein also joined in… uninvited. Why Brian decided to go to Paris and crash John and Cynthia's honeymoon is a mystery. I wouldn't be surprised if John and Cynthia weren't happy about it- I certainly wouldn't! However, that being said, Cynthia did not ever mentioned Brian being there in her two books or her HELLO! 6 installment magazine issues. Maybe he left them alone and only joined up for coffee and same air flight back to London.

John and Yoko in Paris during their honeymoon, 1969.

Same city where John took Cynthia for their own honeymoon in 1963

The only gripe I have is Cynthia's date confusion. She had the right month, but not how many days she was in Paris. In her first book, A Twist of Lennon, she wrote one week. In her 6 HELLO! magazine issues and her second book, John, Cynthia wrote 3 days. However, in every chronologically date books out there, it's said 17 days in Paris. So, that's what I am going with- 17 days of honeymooning.

I Don't Want to Spoil the Party

OK, before we go along with the Lennons to London, we are slightly getting ahead of ourselves here. Two “monumental” things happen in 1963 (besides the birth of Julian).

1) John's fight with Bob Wooler at Paul McCartney's 21st birthday party

2) John and Cynthia's honeymoon in Paris… but honestly I want to use that for a post entry on it's own.

Paul and his new girlfriend, Jane Asher

Photographed by Mike McCartney

Bob Wooler was a local Disc jockey, host announcer at the Cavern Club, and a contributing music writer/journalist who believed in the Beatles. He became a friend, until one night...

On June 18, 1963, Paul turned 21. His Aunt Gin threw a family and friends party in the backyard of her home. I can imagine that it got rowdy with drinks, laughter, and yes, a fight. Before we get into that, let's do the positive side of the party first: at the birthday party, Cynthia met Paul's new girlfriend Jane Asher for the first time. More on Jane in another entry! Cynthia was still a secret wife but since 99% of the party goers knew that John was married, it was hardly a big deal so John took his wife. It was also Cynthia's first outing since giving birth. Pete and Beth Shotton, Ringo's and George's parents were also there. It's a very impressive guest list. I don't know if Maureen Cox was there but I wouldn't be shocked if she was. Anyway, John and Brian Epstein had recently returned from their vacation in Spain and, as Brian's homosexuality was an open secret, there were jokes and gossiping going about.

Cynthia and John along with Louise Harrison (George's Mom) and Harry Graves (Ringo's stepfather)

Photographed by Mike McCartney

At the party, John was getting drunk and had little to eat- poor Cynthia with a difficult drunk on her hands- and then Bob Wooler said something in reference to John and Brian’s Spain vacation that John did not respond well to… John tackled him down, punching and hitting, until he was pulled off and away. Brian drove Bob to the hospital and I am sure he ordered John to go apologize. It did become news, I suppose, John's first controversy scandal. Bob suffered a black eye, bruised ribs, and torn knuckles. John did rough up his finger and hid his injury from his Aunt Mimi so she wouldn't go on and on about it.

“John said: 'He called me a queer so I battered his bloody ribs in.’”

Cynthia, 1985

Right after John was pulled off of Bob, he grabbed a nearby girl to lash out. Billy J. Kramer intervene and John insulted him by saying he was nothing while The Beatles were at the top. Billy got offended and a few days later, John apologized to him. What about the girl John lashed at? Whoever she may be…

"John had really had a skinful, and he grabbed the girl. She shoved him away and he swore at her so I persuaded him to calm down. Cynthia came out and she was in tears and she asked us if we could put John in a taxi. So we did."
Billy J. Kramer, 1989

“By the time we finally left the party at day-break, John appeared to be having the time of his life. He was also so drunk he could barely walk- as, indeed, was I. While we waiting for our long-suffering Beth and Cyn to fetch us, John launched into a discussion of wife-swapping, a phenomenon that we'd only just begun to read about in the tabloids. As he spoke, the concept seemed to excite him more and more.

‘Well, how about it then, Pete!’ he finally exclaimed. ‘Fancy swapping wives tonight?’

‘You mean you want to swap the girls for the night?’ I said incredulously

‘Yeah, yeah,’ John enthused. ‘Great! Let's do it!’

‘Oh, no, John. You can just go on and fuck off. I'm not getting into any of that kind of nonsense.’

‘Oh, O.K. then,’ he laughed. ‘Only kidding, Pete.’

Only he wasn't kidding. John was always read and more than willing to try anything- any new chemical, any new variation of sex, any anything- at least once.”

Pete Shotton, 1983

According to Cynthia in her second book, John, after a day or two John felt remorse and regret and sent Bob a telegram of an apology. Meanwhile, according to Tony Barrow, John muttered he wasn't that sorry, wasn't really that drunk, and Bob deserved it while both Brian and Tony were trying to do damage control. Maybe John did felt remorse, as Cynthia wrote (after all, she lived with him; Tony did not) but whatever Bob told John that night, it rattled John. It's been said that Bob called John a 'queer’ which offended John. I do wonder if John got offended because he was there with Cynthia. Or maybe John was offended simply because he didn't like to be referred as being gay? I doubt Bob knew John was married but at least knew Cynthia. Well, that's something that will never get answered.

“Although Julian was two months old by then, the news that John was married, let alone a father, was still a secret. Some fans in Liverpool knew, but nationally it was still unknown.”

Tony Barrow, 1985

Bob Wooler

Bob died in 2002 and from my perspective, Bob long ago forgave John and continued to help launch the Beatles success from Liverpool.

Abnormal Family

While at the hospital to see Julian for the first time, John told Cynthia that during the first break the Beatles were going to get that he is going to go to Spain… with Brian Epstein. It's the first break John has had since they got married, no! Before! John has had hardly a break since I suppose his 21st birthday in 1961 to Paris with Paul (Cynthia didn't go, she had to go to college). Cynthia understood but not thrilled. I bet! I wonder why Brian thought to take John? Paul, George, and Ringo were going to the Canary Islands… I honestly can't picture John stuck at home. Julian couldn't certainly travel (maybe now these days but in 1963? Not likely) and Cynthia couldn't travel either; not only she was still recovering from birth but she was breast feeding and was learning how to be a first time mother/parent. Brian knew Cynthia had the baby but still deciding to take John away. Maybe Brian thought neighborhood local fans in the Mendips area would see John walking around with Cynthia and Julian on the street? Maybe the reality of fatherhood scared the crap out of John? I don't think neither Brian nor John thought this through of what about Cynthia and consider her feelings in this holiday arrangement. Sadly, it was the first out of countless times John would put himself first rather than putting Cynthia and Julian’s needs ahead of his own.

It's fair to say that both John and Cynthia were inexperienced with babies. I don't think they were around as many to know what to do and how to read cries of the baby's wants (fed, diaper change). While pregnant, Cynthia was not offered, nor did she thought of asking, about classes of baby 101. She had to learn and trust her instincts through trial and error. In a way, with John gone in Spain, she felt it would be better to concentrate on Julian with full attention. No matter the reasoning, it did not win John any favors as a good Dad.

“I was on holiday with Brian Epstein in Spain, where the rumors went round that he and I were having a love affair… We left Cyn with the baby, and I went to Spain and we had lots of funny stories, you know…”

John

“Cyn was having a baby and the holiday was planned, but I wasn't going to break the holiday for a baby and that's what a bastard I was. And I just went on holiday.”

John, 1970

At least John realized it was a bastard thing to do. He had to realized it many times. Okay, moving on: when John returned, he was refreshed and back to work. His marriage and fatherhood was still kept secret but was slowly coming out.

“She was a very nice person and Brian often said how good an influence she was on John. But it suited the grand plan to keep her well in the background, baby and all. They lived as quietly as possible with John’s Aunt Mimi in Liverpool.”

Alistair Taylor, Brian's assistant

“Another girl I knew who was a big John Lennon fan, she said to me, 'I know he's married and he's got a baby daughter.’ I looked away and I said, 'He hasn't got a baby daughter,’ because at least that was true. I just knew you didn't say things.”

Freda Kelly, The Beatles Fan Club secretary

Julian was not an easy baby. He cried and cried and cried. Cynthia thought maybe it was the result of the tension in the house with Aunt Mimi who barely, if rarely, lifted a finger to help the new mom. I personally think that Julian could have had colic. When his crying got too much for her and couldn't figure out what to do, Cynthia would wrap him up and put him in the pram aka stroller and push him at the end of the garden where he can scream while Cynthia was nervous that Mimi was distrubed by the crying. I do wonder about something though… did Cynthia ever heard of Dr. Spock? Or go to the library or bookstore to find parenting and baby books?

By the time Julian was six months old (October), his grandmother Lillian moved back to Liverpool after her Nanny job was done. She was understandably anxious to see her first grandchild for the first time. She moved in at Mimi's house! Oh the fun… now, why couldn't Lillian stay with her son Tony as she did a year before? Why be in a house where she knew that the owner by the name of Mimi was no fan of hers and vice versa? John was probably thankful not to be there. Before Lillian's arrival, Mimi told Cynthia that she had a dream that she shut the door on Lillian and not welcoming her in, brushing it off as a silly dream. It certainly wasn't silly to Cynthia! Cynthia knew just then that she, John, and Julian had to move out. I think it would have been easier if Lillian stayed at Tony's but visited Cynthia during the day, but nope… Not long after Lillian's arrival, Cynthia started looking for a temporary home. Their family home in Hoylake was still being rented out but the contract was soon going to be expired so Cynthia found a little apartment that's not exactly child friendly but desperate times called for desperate measures. Julian was still fussy but once the Powell family home was available, he settled down and slept through the night. No tension in the house and where Cynthia can finally breathe. I don't think John was thrilled at all but he wasn't living in the family drama. Plus he knew something that Cynthia didn't: John was planning to make the move down to London where he had been spending most of his time and yes, Cynthia and Julian were to come down and live with him. By the end of the year, John found an apartment in London, above photographer Robert Freeman’s apartment. Cynthia and Julian soon moved in with Lillian in tow to help.

“I was told to keep a low profile, to put it mildly. It wasn't considered good for the Beatles’ image for John to admit to having a wife, and certainly not a child.”

Cynthia, 1985

“That was how it was in those days, it was amateur and naive. I was walking round Derry and Toms trying to get the cheapest furniture for this flat and pushing Julian round in a pram and, of course, John was not there. Nobody knew what I looked like or who I was. I could have got away with murder.”

Cynthia, 2005

“Julian still has on a tape we must have made when he was in his pram. It's lovely to have that reminder of everyday happiness because ours was such an abnormal marriage, John's and mine. Nothing was normal about it."

Cynthia, 1999

"I went to stay with my mother and the press must have been tipped off, because I was chased in and out of shops with the pram. My mum went out to face them, and when they said, ‘Is that Cynthia, John's wife?’ she said, ‘No, it's her twin sister.’”

Cynthia, 1999

"It was beautiful. We moved from Liverpool, actually Hoylake where I was staying with Mum. John had just started touring, we moved to a maisonette near Cromwell Road and I had Julian. There wasn't a lift and we had to go up and down stairs. Eventually there were always crowds of people outside when we went out so we both agreed we ought to do the proper thing and go and buy a mansion in Weybridge. That was in 1964 and the mansion cost £19,000."

Cynthia, 1988

When you're not traveling and recording, and you are living at home, do you sleep late or get up early? (Interview Q&A 1964)

“I sleep late, Cyn has to get up early for the baby, unless we’ve got her mother over or a nurse, somebody to look after him. We're not a normal family. Cyn and I go out all night, just as if we were still engaged.”

What does your wife think about this, does she enjoy it or let's say get pestered by the onsault of gifts or does she pick them out or what? (Interview Q &A 1964)

“She doesn't get pestered because I try to keep her out of the limelight. There's very few photographs of her, so if she wants to go sort of in the town anyway, she can go around, you know, because people don't know what she looks like, really.”

We will get into more of John's want for family privacy in another post. John's marriage and fatherhood was starting to come out more and more. People talk, people saw, people aren't stupid… At this point, John was becoming frustrated to keep this secret. So was Cynthia. She didn't want to be famous, but she didn't want her husband to be known as single. They both reached that I-had-enough limit. The earliest known publication about John being married was in July of 1963 but received a no comment response. Then, in November of 1963, Cynthia had Julian baptized at her childhood Hoylake Parish Church and afterwards was greeted by the press. It was how John found out about his son’s baptism. He wasn't pissed about the press- he was pissed that he didn't know a thing about it. Cynthia had her reasons: it was hardly a big deal other than a family tradition and she didn't want to attract attention on John. John just wanted to be told and have a say on the matter… how very fatherly of you, John! Interestingly enough, I have never seen these photos or newspaper clippings on Julian's baptism… have you? Maybe in someone's attic or basement or vault, yellowed in age or crumbled to dust. There must be something out there? I hope to see it in some point of my lifetime. By January of 1964, John's marriage and fatherhood was in general knowledge to the England country and by the following month, Cynthia will step out of the shadows on John's side when he travels to America as a known married family man Beatle.

Tribute to Linda

Linda Louise Eastman McCartney

September 24, 1941 - April 17, 1998

On April 17, 1998, Linda McCartney died in the arms of her husband of 29 years, Paul McCartney, and was surrounded by their four children, Heather, Mary, Stella, and James, in their Arizona home. Twenty years ago today. Before and after Linda's death, hardly anything was known of the relationship between Linda and Cynthia (and Julian). I do know that they have met a few times and that's what I am going to explore as a tribute to Linda. So, let's start from the beginning:

Linda was living in Arizona when the Beatles became popular in America- it was where she bought her first album of theirs and became a fan. She also developed a crush on John Lennon. In 1965, newly divorced Linda moved to New York where she was born and raised with her young daughter Heather and in August of that year, she saw the Beatles perform live at Shea Stadium. It wasn't until May of 1967 when Linda met John… and she wasn't exactly impressed

“I guess I wanted to say something controversial, and maybe I thought Linda was being a bit blase about Chris [Stamp, The Who’s manager], so I added, 'After him, you could have almost anybody in the world.' And she said, 'Oh well, maybe I'll marry one of the Beatles.' I asked, 'Which one?' and she answered, 'John Lennon?' So I told her, 'He's married,' and she said, 'Paul McCartney?', and that's how it went.” 

Pete Townshend 

(1998, based on a conversation he had with Linda in the Spring of 1967)

"It was John who interested me at the start. He was my Beatle hero. But when I met him the fascination faded fast and I found it was Paul I liked." 

Linda McCartney

"In retrospect, it's strange to think that back in 1965 John was my favorite Beatle. I can even remember sitting in a car in New York one night and thinking that if I could meet just one person in the world I would like it to be John Lennon because he seemed so confident and so artistic. When I did eventually meet him he was totally lacking in confidence and was very nervous. It showed me that people are often not what they seem at first."

Linda McCartney

"My wife, I wasn't her favorite Beatle, John was" 

Paul McCartney

Julian, Photographed by Linda

By the time Linda became a regular fixture in the Beatles’ Family Circle, John and Cynthia were already separated, divorcing, and John was with Yoko Ono. Somewhere in that time frame, Linda went to John's home in Weybridge and took a photo of Julian- it may be very well the first time Linda met Julian. I should note that the picture of Julian was from Linda's second photography book, Photographs, published in 1982; she listed that it was taken in Weybridge during 1967 but that honestly makes no sense. Yes, John and Linda met in May of 1967 while she was there for a few days to take pictures of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album launch after being invited by Brian Epstein. However, I can't imagine John inviting someone he barely knew to come over to his house to take a picture of his son… then again, he spent a good part of that year high as a kite on marijuana and LSD, he did bring home people from clubs to keep on partying but in this case, Linda was known not to be the best record keeper of her photographs, so they weren't organized, labeled, or anything. In 1968, when Linda became Paul's official girlfriend, Cynthia was moving out of Weybridge and John and Yoko moved back in for the remainder of the year so that time frame makes sense for Linda to take Julian's picture when he visited his dad.

After remarrying to Roberto Bassanini in 1970, Cynthia threw a housewarming party: John and Yoko, George and Pattie Harrison, Ringo and Maureen Starr, Paul and Linda attended. That must have been when Cynthia and Linda first met. Afterwards, Paul and Linda started on their music career, forming Wings, recording, touring around the world, and expanding their family while Cynthia led a private and quiet life raising Julian and trying to make ends meet.

In 1974, John was living in America and separated from Yoko while living with May Pang, alternating between Los Angeles and New York City. In December of 1974, Paul and Linda with their daughters visited John and May while Julian was visiting in New York. Julian also saw George in concert and met up with George backstage while John and May were at Linda's father's home where Julian called with a message from George (there was some drama between John and George, but more about that some other time on a different subject matter). So, I guess Julian may have spoken to Lee Eastman when he picked up the phone to pass over to John?

In 1985, for some reason, Linda sent Cynthia a postcard to say hello and invite her over for tea. I don't know if Cynthia and Linda ever had their tea date, but it's nice to know that Cynthia was invited and thought of by Linda.

On January 14, 1990, Cynthia saw Paul and Linda in concert at Wembley Stadium in London. I wish I can elaborate more on this but that's all I got- I don't know if Cynthia went backstage or to the after party or anything other than attendance.

In April of 1997, almost a year before Linda's death, Paul sent Julian an advance copy of his record Flaming Pie with a note that Linda added her own little love note on the paper. Julian also revealed over the years that he had gotten Birthday and Christmas cards from Paul.

After Linda's death, there were reports on Julian covering the Beatles’ Blackbird for a record dedicated to Linda and proceeds for charity.

"I didn't know Linda that well, but she and Paul showed that it was possible to remain together. It's the only way to survive a relationship in this industry; it's too difficult without that. Either you don't have the support of the distance is too great that in a time of need, you fall apart. The only way that doesn't happen is if you're side by side all the way." 

Julian, 1999

As for Cynthia, she barely spoke of Linda other than a passing mention in her 2005 autobiography book John about Paul marrying Linda after he vowed to remain in touch with Cynthia. I am very certain that Cynthia felt very sad over Linda's death but I can't say that they were very close other than friendly encounters and that bond of Wives’ sisterhood club.

If you have any additional information on Linda and Cynthia's relationship, I very much would like to know more. Please feel free to comment! 

Cynthia's Imaginary Middle Name

I need to get this rant off my chest:
How on Earth does someone get Lillian as Cynthia Lennon’s middle name??? Many areas, mostly sites that can be altered by anybody (Wikipedia, imdb.com) put Cynthia’s full name as Cynthia Lillian Powell. When she died, a few news outlets actually fell for it, reporting her so called full name. I know where Lillian came from: her mother. But someone just inserted it in.

THERE IS NO OFFICIAL PROOF!!!!! I would think Cynthia herself would say something, right? There’s no mention of having a middle name in neither books, A Twist of Lennon and John. There’s no mention of it in her 6 part Hello! magazine series about her life with John. They all said the same thing: “I was born Cynthia Powell…”
Her make-believe middle name does not show up in any love letters written by John. If he included his own middle name, wouldn’t John do the same for Cynthia? Nor does this concoction middle name claim shows up on her marriage certificate to John. John Winston Lennon, check… Cynthia Powell yes… So, where is Lillian??? I’ll tell you where: NO WHERE! John didn’t like his middle name but he didn’t hide it either.
Unfortunately this has gotten out of control! It’s sad that one error can whip up into reality.

It’s Cynthia Powell. Not Cynthia Lillian Powell.

Find me official proof and I will be more than happy to delete this post with apologies.

Cynthia's Untitled Poems

Cynthia started writing poetry in 1968 while in Reshikesh, India. Only a few handful of poems were published in 1978 from her first autobiography book, A Twist of Lennon. 

A flower, a kiss, a smile of love
Heartwarming gifts from up above
The hand of coldness disappears
When we forget our chosen fears.
Just one experience of love
Gives hope and life in endless years
Of learning how to move our minds of stone
When many times we feel alone.
We are alone. The choice is ours
To offer a flower, a kiss, a smile
Is but the simple answer, for awhile
We search our minds in depth
We should find life a simple test.
When realization of the truth
Presents itself in all its youth
To all in age who still ask why
Just smile and love but do not cry

The truth for me does not agree
With other people using me
With a freedom that they think is free
Checkmate will only find success
When pawns themselves don't fall from grace
When honesty comes face to face
With truth and not commodity.
To use another's soul for gain
Misunderstanding all in vain
For those who use another's brain
To lift themselves with words profane
Cynics born to eat the words
Of men who falter not with words

~~~

The days go by so slowly my mind held in suspense
Why must this be when I can see the feeling so intense?
The future holds the magic of my thoughts these passing days
The planning actions of my mind just wither in the haze
Time is wasted longing for the bud to flower and bloom
Waiting, hoping, anticipating what might be happening soon
Possibility is just a game played in fantasy throughout
Why must this be withheld within. What is it all about?
If only I could touch the flower and feel it's beauty in my strife
I could be at ease and aim to please of my life

~~~
Voices flit like shadows down the passage of my mind
They grow and fade in volume as the passing of the days
Bring memories of sunshine's timeless rays
Times of childhood beckon calling me through days and years
Of happiness and loneliness mingled with the tears