John Lennon's Son Julian Says He's Never Been Part of the Beatles' 'Inner Circle': 'We Had Nothing to Do with the Beatles or Dad'

Mar. 15, 2025

Julian Lennon in 2017.Photo: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Julian Lennonis sharing how he feels like an outsider when it comes to the Beatles — and he has since he was a child.

In a new interview withThe Guardian, published on Sunday, Jan. 5, the 61-year-old son ofJohn Lennonspoke candidly about not being a part of the Beatles' “inner circle,” meaning that he isn’t as close toPaul McCartneyandRingo Starrtoday, and wasn’t privy to much Beatlemania as he was growing up.

“It’s news to me half the time,” Julian said of the release of new Beatles documentaries and projects.

“I’m not part of the inner circle — I never have been,” continued Julian, whom John shared with first wife Cynthia Lennon. “You have to realize that when Dad left, when I was between 3 and 5, it was just Mum and me, and we had nothing to do with the Beatles or Dad.”

“I visited him on the odd occasion, but we were very much on the outside,” he added of his father, who died in 1980.

Julian Lennon in February 2023.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Despite not having a close relationship with his father during his childhood, Julian said he is closer than ever to his half-brotherSean Ono Lennon, whom John welcomed with wifeYoko Onoin 1975.

“As a fan, I’m just as curious as anybody else, although I do find myself going, ‘How is it possible that there’s another Beatles film? ' " he joked, referring to the documentaries that have been released in recent years, includingGet Back, therestored version ofLet It BeandMartin Scorsese’sBeatles ’64.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

From left: Yoko Ono, Julian Lennon and John Lennon in 1968.Bettman

Bettman

For Julian, his mom Cynthia — who died from cancer in 2015 — played a major role in how he looks back fondly on his late father and the Beatles.

“I think it was Mum, watching how she handled what she was dealt with love and grace and positivity,” he toldThe Guardian. “I saw that that’s the only way forward. You take the high road, you be the better person and try to learn from all the crap that’s thrown at you.”

“Without question, I’ve had my moments of depression and I still deal with some very serious anxiety on occasion, but the only way is to push yourself through,” he added. “Wallowing’s no good — been there, done that.”

“It was very much reflective, looking in the mirror deeply and trying to find that place of peace,” Julian said at the time. “I found it one or two times before, but it got lost in the muddle of life. Working on the album was about getting in touch with myself and who I am.”

source: people.com