Podtalk: May Pang on John Lennon in ‘The Lost Weekend A Love Story’

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CHICAGO – One of the closest persons to John Lennon in the decade between the break up of The Beatles and his untimely death was May Pang … his lover from 1973 to 1975 … a time in Lennon’s life often called the “Lost Weekend.” Pang narrates a new documentary that sets their record straight, aptly titled “The Lost Weekend A Love Story.”

May Pang is a Manhattan-born daughter of Chinese immigrants and ardent music fan, who became the 19-year-old personal assistant to John Lennon and Yoko Ono beginning in December of 1970, shortly after The Beatles broke up. So when the couple resettled in New York City, she was indispensable to Lennon and Ono’s many wacky projects, In 1973. John began the infamous “Lost Weekend,” which included an intimate relationship with Pang, with Yoko’s blessing, and that level of connection lasted until John and Yoko reconciled in 1975. The film is a comprehensive overview of a significant history for May Pang, John Lennon, Yoko Ono and even his fellow mates in The Beatles.

John Lennon and May Pang in ‘The Lost Weekend A Love Story’
Photo credit: Iconic Events


In the time after that tumultuous period in Pang and Lennon’s life … she was pretty much cut off from John and Yoko after they got back together … Pang married, had two children and divorced, in addition to starting her own jewelry business. In 1983, she wrote her memoir “Loving John,” and in 2008 added a book of photographs entitled “Instamatic Karma” (which includes two historically significant Beatle photos), and had post-John relationships with Julian Lennon, Cynthia Lennon and Paul McCartney.

In PART ONE of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, May Pang talks about her reasons for the documentary, her contributions to his music and John with Paul post break-up …

In PART TWO, of photographs, memories and December 8th, 1980 …

In PART THREE, reflections on George Harrison, Julian Lennon and the real human being behind Lennon legend …

In a video excerpt from the interview, it’s May Pang today …

Trailer for “The Lost Weekend A Love Story” …

CLICK HERE for 5/5 star Audio Film Review of “The Lost Weekend A Love Story” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com