By LILLY CHENG
The Beatles were a legendary rock band from England. Founded in Liverpool in 1962 by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, the band quickly made their breakthrough with their debut single “Love Me Do”, leading to the rise of Beatlemania globally. Since then, with albums like“Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”, The Beatles brought a revolutionary perspective to popular culture and music, cementing themselves as one of the most influential bands in music history.
The Beatles, a legendary rock band from England, is one of the most famous figures in rock history. Founded in Liverpool in 1960 by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, the band quickly made their breakthrough with their debut single “Love Me Do”, leading to the rise of Beatlemania globally. Since then, with albums like“Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”, The Beatles brought a revolutionary perspective to popular culture and music, cementing themselves as one of the most influential bands in rock history.
Among them, lead singer John Lennon was not only the soul of The Beatles but also a symbol of contemporary music and the peace movement. Unfortunately, on December 8, 1980, Lennon was shot and killed outside his residence, the Dakota apartment building in Manhattan, New York.
During his brief yet brilliant stay on earth, he was accompanied by a handful of important women. Cynthia Powell was Lennon’s first wife. The couple met in 1957 at the Liverpool College of Art, and married in 1962 and had a son named Julian Lennon. John’s second wife was Yoko Ono, a Japanese artist known for her avant-garde art. She also bore a son for John, Sean Lennon. However, few knew of Lennon’s affection for May Pang, a lesser-known Chinese lady who was very meaningful to Lennon. In this issue of WeChinese, we will be introducing to you the true love story between them in our interview with May Pang.
★龎鳳儀( May Fung Yee Pang)
May Fung Yee Pang (龐鳳儀), was born on October 24th, 1950. Her parents were first generation Chinese immigrants, who resided in Manhattan. At first, they lived in Harlem, and later moved to Spanish Harlem. Growing up with a deep interest in music and arts, Pang studied at Saint Michael’s Academy and at New York City Community College. After one year of college, she went on to work in the royalty department at Apple Records/ABKCO Industries, where she would meet many influential figures in the music industry, including George Harrison, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr and Allen Klein. In 1970, Lennon and Ono had asked Klein’s office to have Pang work for them personally, while filming their avant-garde films Up Your Legs Forever and Fly.
★《Lost Weekend》
Chance relationship – from assistant to lover
In 1973, Lennon and Ono hit a low in their relationship. While they remained married, the two decided to live in separation for the time being. According to Pang’s memoir, it was Ono who approached her and asked her to take care of Lennon since he would be seeing other people. Ono suggested that Pang begin a romantic relationship with Lennon. Pang initially declined this idea but Ono persisted. Only after Lennon himself pursued her, Pang began a loving and complicated relationship with Lennon with genuine affection.
Early relationship, the becoming of a real couple
In June 1973, Pang became John Lennon’s girlfriend.
At first, Pang had a hard time adjusting to the new reality as Lennon’s lover from her original position as an assistant. She was shocked and a little hesitant, but she grew to like the kind, humorous, yet also sensitive Lennon. As time passed, the two of them grew from a mere professional relationship into a loving and close couple.
This period, later referred to by Lennon as the “Lost Weekend”, served as a testament to his spiritual and mental recovery in his relationships, as well as inspiring great accomplishments in his professional life, forever a complicated and entangled part of his life’s story.
Peak of composing and music production
During this time, Lennon composed and published many songs and albums, including Mind Games, Walls and Bridges, and an album of cover songs called Rock ‘n’ Roll. Among them, was his first single to reach number 1 on all three record charts: “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night”. Pang participated in the creation and production of all three albums. She can be heard singing John’s name (as well as background vocals) for Lennon’s hit single “#9 Dream” As a musical expression of his love for Pang, Lennon wrote “Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) for her.
The Lennon family, repairing damaged relationships
Beyond his successes in composition, this period also marked improvements in Lennon’s relationship with his son Julian. During this time, he started to spend time with him (whom he had neglected for over three years at that time) and reestablished a healthy father and son relationship. At the same time, he also visited many of his old friends, like Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Lennon even had a jam session with McCartney, his wife Linda, longtime Beatles roadie Mal Evans, Stevie Wonder and Pang on tambourine. This was the last time Lennon and McCartney played together.
End of the relationship, continued as friendship
In March 1974, Ono had asked McCartney to relay a message to Lennon that she wanted to get back together. Lennon replied, “No, I’m with May now but Yoko and I will always be friends” and the conversation ended.
It wasn’t until February 1975, when Ono called Lennon to tell him she found a “cure” for his cigarette smoking habit. Lennon had noticed a shortness of breath while singing so reluctantly agreed at the last minute, against Pang’s wishes.
After three days of not hearing from Lennon (who was expected to return in a couple of hours), he told Pang that he was returning to Ono at her suggestion that it would be beneficial in his immigration battle with the U.S. government. He also said he and Pang could still see each other.
Though the relationship came to an end on the surface, the two of them still remained in touch until December 8th, 1980, when fate ended their relationship.
★Life Beyond John Lennon
During her time with Lennon, Pang had worked with many legendary figures in the music industry, such as Elton John, David Bowie, Harry Nilsson, Mick Jagger, and Ringo Starr.
After their separation, Pang continued her career in the music industry, working as a professional manager for United Artists Music Publishing and Famous Music. Later, she was assistant to the president of Island Records, and participated in the making of Robert Palmer and Bob Marley’s albums.
In 1983, May Pang published her memoir Loving John, which detailed her love story with Lennon. In the memoir, she talked about her struggles, confusion, and the emotional roller coaster of the relationship. It is the story of a woman who has to manage the hardships that accompanied her in the shadows of a rockstar while also maintaining her sense of self even after the breakup. Pang encouraged Lennon’s spiritual recovery mentally and socially. Pang maintained a life-long relationship with Cynthia, Lennon’s first wife. In an interview with Cynthia, she expressed her gratitude for Pang’s role in helping Lennon to restore his relationship with his son.
In 2008, Pang published her personal photography collection Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon, which included many historic moments of her and Lennon during the “Lost Weekend”, as well as many symbolic pictures, such as the agreement that Lennon signed to disband The Beatles, a the last time Lennon and McCartney were photographed together. These photos differed drastically from what media and the public remembered Lennon for, helping to capture a more personal vision of Lennon. Through her lens, Pang captured Lennon’s peacefulness and humanity, as well as a sense of warmth during that time period. These photographs are currently in a pop-up exhibition in galleries across the United States called The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang.
The 2022 documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story captured the depth and complexities of Pang and Lennon’s relationship, with fond recollections from Julian Lennon, Paul McCartney, Alice Cooper, Chris O’Dell and others.
May Pang is currently living in New York City. A best-selling author, renowned photographer, Pang is also a feng-shui jewelry designer, featuring Chinese characters depicting lifestyle elements. She is also committed to social welfare, the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), and continues to inspire the younger generation through her work and life story.
As the Editor-in-Chief of WeChinese magazine, I was honored to have an in-depth conversation with her, exploring the lesser-known chapters of her life and her inner world. Through her heartfelt sharing, our readers will also have the opportunity to rediscover that long-forgotten history.
Tell us about your childhood, parents and family... ...
My parents and siblings left China and I was the first American-born in my family. Rather than settle for familiarity in New York's Chinatown, my parents went straight to Harlem and then Spanish Harlem. I was a minority among minorities. I grew up feeling alone and not connecting to anything. Until Rock 'N' Roll hit the scene. Of course, I was a Beatle fan from the moment I heard them. My favorite was Ringo.
Who are your role models? What have you learned from them?
My mom was my role model. She came from rural China with basically nothing but drive and determination. She survived a Japanese invasion in her village and survived my father’s brutality. She moved to New York and was so ambitious in her life by first owning her own laundry, then becoming a jewelry designer, and she made her own clothing. And so much more. I see my mom’s creativity in my daughter.
Who are your mentors? What have they taught you?
(Uncle) Harold Seider, John Lennon’s personal lawyer and a true friend of ours. He always said, “Get all the liars in the room” which is very sound advice.
How do you define yourself?
When I think of myself, I think of three words: optimistic, curious, and compassionate. I am a female of Chinese heritage who has ambitions to explore and enjoy life and what it has to offer.
What is the one thing you dislike the most ? Why?
Hypocrites, liars, users and those who only care about themselves... while they claim to be your friend. Life is too short for this.
Do you have any plans to go visit China?
I actually did have the opportunity back in 1983, before it was fully 'opened.' It was life-changing. I felt connected to my other half, met family and it brought to life many of the stories I'd heard my whole life. Besides, I was the only one “born there.”
What drives you?
As with anything I do, the challenge is to try it in the first place. When things work out, it’s the feeling of accomplishment. I've had a pretty good track record.
What accomplishment in life are you most proud of? Why?
In record production, the finished product is the accomplishment. But playing a role in producing it makes me very proud. In music publishing, I took both known and unknown songwriters and placed their songs with known recording artists. It gives me pleasure that I can help make a songwriter fulfill their dream.
What are the most memorable things in your life so far? Why?
My photos of John Lennon. They keep him alive. They show a John who was happy, fit and productive. Touring the United States with an exhibition of my photos of him with his son and “brothers.” When people tell me he looked good and healthy it makes me very happy. I’m also honored when a professional photographer tells me that I have a “good eye.” Then there’s the documentary about my life with one of the most famous men in history. Of course, and as a proud mom, my two wonderful children.
Tell us about your line of work. And why did you choose this line of work?
With my love of music, I always wanted to work in the music business. Whether it was in recording production or on the business side in music publishing, I knew this is where I belonged. Of course when I landed my very first job at ABKCO/Apple Records, it felt like heaven.
Tell us about your film project “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story” ... ...
I always thought about it, but it never felt right. 50 years later, it finally felt like the time was right for an in-depth documentary of my life with John. It took five years (due in part to Covid-19). It's a balanced, candid reflection that shows both the high and low points.
Why is it important to tell your story?
So many people -- most of whom I've never met and others who I thought were friends, have 'told my story' -- with lies, distortion, omissions and agendas. It was hurtful. I realized I needed to tell my own story since I was the one there!
Will you be 10 years from now?
I hope to continue inspiring young people with my work and my experiences.
In the 18 months that John Lennon and May Pang were together, despite Lennon’s off-hand remark that it was a “Lost Weekend”, there lies a line of love, support, creativity, and healing. From an assistant, she became his soulmate during this unmasked time. She is also a brave soul who stepped up to a challenge that nobody else had experienced.
In today’s world, where people chase after POV stories, trying to make an impression in this exposure based society, May Pang’s calm demeanor dismisses such impetuousness. Her story is that of a Chinese American woman, who, despite having often been neglected, is of great influence to the world of rock music beyond her relationship with Lennon, a showcase of an entire missing link in rock n roll history. Her story deserves recognition, and is also a point to help us reflect upon the role of Chinese influence on cross-cultural music history.