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May Pang on Life with John Lennon and the Stories Behind ‘The Lost Weekend’ Photo Exhibit
May Pang, originally an assistant to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, opens up about her relationship with Lennon in the mid-1970s — a time she describes as both deeply personal and creatively rich — and shares what he was really like behind the public persona.
A pair of John Lennon’s tinted prescription glasses — which he owned and wore between 1973 and 1974 — went up for auction at Propstore.com in London on Oct. 23, 2025. They were expected to fetch between $200,000 and $400,000. (The winning bid has not yet been revealed.)
That same day, news broke that the famed oceanfront stone cottage in Montauk — where Lennon and his companion May Pang spent time with Andy Warhol and other famous friends in the mid-’70s — had just found a buyer.
The news gave me the perfect excuse to reconnect with Pang, Lennon’s girlfriend during the 18 months he was separated from Yoko Ono. Lennon later dubbed that period “The Lost Weekend,” a nod to the 1945 film about an alcoholic writer struggling to overcome his addiction and return to his creative process.
While the press at the time often portrayed Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” as a stretch of reckless behavior, Pang recalls it as a productive and fulfilling period for Lennon. He recorded Walls and Bridges, collaborated with other artists, and, with Pang’s help and encouragement, reconnected with his son, Julian.
Lennon Through May Pang’s Eyes
An exhibition of Pang’s photographs from that era — The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang — has been traveling to galleries across the country.
Her photographs, sold in limited editions, are striking time capsules that capture candid, unguarded moments of Lennon — as well as glimpses of other Beatles and Lennon’s young son, Julian.
I met Pang for the first time this past summer at the Julie Keyes Gallery in Sag Harbor, where her captivating exhibition drew a lively crowd, including Mercedes Ruehl, Joy Behar and Steve Janowitz, David Yurman, radio personality Jimmy Fink, and artist Steve Joester. Pang is fun, easy to talk to, and comes across as a warm, empathetic straight shooter.
“They see a side of John they never see. They see him through my eyes.”
— May Pang
According to Pang, it was Yoko Ono who initially encouraged Pang and Lennon to get together. Her story about the 18 months she shared with John Lennon is also told in her documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, currently streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
When I met Pang in July, I hadn’t yet seen the film. She encouraged me to watch it, saying it “tells the whole story.” Watching the documentary indeed deepened my understanding and appreciation of her photographs and her relationship with Lennon. And archival footage in the documentary is fascinating.
Naturally, I wanted to reconnect with her again — to talk about the auction of Lennon’s glasses, the Montauk house, and what else she could share about him and their time together.
(The following has been edited for length and clarity.)
Interview with May Pang
What was John Lennon like?
He was very easygoing. And we did things. He loved being with his son Julian. He loved the water — he loved to swim. I can’t swim.
We came out to the Hamptons a lot. We stayed with Peter Boyle in Amagansett and once in Westhampton. We went out to the General Store in East Hampton (now closed) — he loved that. I drove us everywhere.
He got me a car for my 23rd birthday so I could drive him around. He really didn’t want anyone else doing it. When we were in the Hamptons, I drove his 1972 Chrysler Town & Country station wagon — it looked like a boat. It was the last model year that had a 45-rpm record player built into it.
How would you describe The Lost Weekend photography exhibit?
These are photos I took from mid-1973 to early 1975. They capture our time together. I only took photos when I thought it would be interesting.
The Stone Cottage in Montauk
In your documentary, you mention the Montauk house — that just sold at 408 Montauk Highway — the “stone cottage.”
John and I were about to buy it (when it was for sale in the mid-1970s). Apparently, they even use his name as a selling point: that John Lennon once stayed there 50 years ago.
That was the house John wanted. John saw the house from a boat that we were on when we were visiting with Mick and Bianca Jagger, who at the time, were renting a house from Andy Warhol in Montauk. John happened to look up and saw the stone house from the water. He said, “Ooh, that looks interesting.”
The guy who was sailing the boat mentioned that the house was for sale and he arranged for us to see it after we came back from sailing We came back another time to see it with Julian, John’s lawyer and someone from Apple Records UK. John said, “This is a place I’d like to get.”
I recently went to see the house on the spur of the moment. A friend brought me out when I reached the realtor Kyle Rosko and he told me it was a good time since the house was sold and the closing was soon. The original house was burnt down but rebuilt in the same footprint.
It brought up a lot of emotions when I stood on the grounds and looked out into the ocean. Gorgeous day and very peaceful.
Another chapter closed. I never thought I would see this house again. It was a house that brought memories of John of Scotland. John loved the water.
Falling in Love with John
You were so young when you met John.
I met him while working for John and Yoko. I had just turned 20.
How long before you started dating?
Three years.
In the documentary, you said Yoko called often during the 18 months you were with John? What was that like?
After a while, there was nothing to talk about. Let me be clear — she did not send us to Los Angeles. That’s part of the “party line.” She didn’t know where we were.
She was interested in other people, that’s what we found out. She wasn’t at home “twiddling her thumbs.”
She knew we were involved from the beginning — once John made the advance — and believe me, he wasn’t making advances, and she kept insisting and pushing it on both ends — that’s something John and I discussed. I was saying “no,” so the two of us were saying no, and she was insisting.
People don’t realize she had her own agenda — she wanted to see other people, too. Her version was always, “I really needed a break, I was sitting alone,” but that’s not the case.
Were you still technically employed by John and Yoko at that time?
No. Once we were in California together, I wasn’t employed.
We were working in the studio — something I loved. John didn’t like people fussing over him. He’d say, “Are you sure you want to do this?” And I’d tell him, “What am I going to do — sit home?”
When did you realize you were in love with this guy and he happens to be John Lennon?
It took a few months. Even though I was with him, you’re never sure — you know what I mean? Even though we were 10 years apart, remember, he was hindered by the fact that he didn’t do anything for years as a Beatle — it was all taken care of.
He couldn’t just go out. I once took him on a city bus — he’d never been on one before.
We had an apartment on East 52nd Street. We had a balcony with a view of the East River where John would watch the boats go by. He loved it. Julian would come by, Mick Jagger would come by, Bowie would come by, McCartney would come by. These memories are so meaningful to me.
What did you think about the auction of John’s glasses?
Funny thing — I only found out a few years ago that Tommy Smothers’ wife had them all along. She picked them up the night of the Smothers Brothers show at the Troubadour in L.A. (in March 1974), when John and Harry Nilsson got ejected from the club. People were shoving, John lost his glasses in the melee and they were never returned. We thought those glasses were lost forever.
Do you still have any mementos from that time?
Yes — I have glasses, clothes and drawings he made for me. He once drew a gorilla for me as a joke after I said, “Can we get a monkey as a pet?” and he wrote, “This one’s for May.”
Did you always have a camera with you?
Always. Photography was my passion. My first Beatle photo was of George Harrison in 1970. He walked through the office and was so sweet. He said, “Do you want a picture?” and posed for me. John saw me taking pictures, and he’d smile for me. He was the one who encouraged me most.
I could have taken a million photos, but I didn’t. I wasn’t taking photos for magazines — just for us. And one of my photos of Julian later became his album cover, which I’m very proud of.
What do people take away from seeing your photos today?
They see a time that’s long gone — a beautiful, innocent time. They see a side of John they never see. They see him through my eyes. He was unguarded. These weren’t publicity shots. And he loved that. He’d say, “What did you take? Let me see.” They were moments of real life.
Friends, Family, and Legacy
Did John have close, real friends? Was it possible?
It was hard to have real friends, but he did. Mick Jagger was a close friend. He would come around all the time. McCartney came over all the time. But probably Mick was the closest. He and McCartney were the two. People thought that they had fights — no, they didn’t.
It was touching in the documentary how important it was that you were able to foster a reconnecting between John and his son Julian — was that just your instinct?
Definitely, it was always my instinct. But I had a problem with my own father, and you know, you always want both parents. … I always will be supportive of Julian and everything that he does, and I’m always there if he needs advice or anything. I was the only person that was there for him. … Julian came three times to see us in 1974. … I have other photographs of him in the water with John. They had so much fun swimming together — that was important for me to see.
Sharing the Photographs
You’ve had these photographs all this time. When did you start showing them?
A little over two years ago. I didn’t really think people were interested. I brought them out, and some friends said, “Oh, they’re really good.” My (now) business partner Scott pursued me for six years to show the photos. I wouldn’t do it. I’d say, “Nope.”
What made you say “yes”?
The movie did. People started to see the pictures because they’re in the movie. A lot of people who didn’t see the movie but came in and bought a print would go out and watch the movie and then say, “I wish I had seen the movie before coming in.” It gives you context.
How many photos in the show and in what price range?
About 38 photos. I sell limited, unframed prints of a series of 199, except the one where I caught John signing the dissolution of the Beatles — that is a limited series of 99.
They range in price from $950 on up. We do it as a special to the gallery showings. When you buy it online, it’s about $400 more. We only have the photo exhibit there as a pop-up two or three days.
John Lennon’s Influence Today
What do you think John Lennon would make of the world today?
I think he’d be freaked out — and very upset because he believed in the people. He believed in democracy. He wouldn’t like what he is seeing.
His voice was powerful enough that Nixon and Strom Thurmond said, “Let’s get this guy out of the country.” They wanted him deported. He stood for free speech — and the movement was big, and I think if he was alive it would be just as big.
I’ve had more people come up to me and say, “We need John now.” His voice is still so big, and he spoke his mind. — May Pang
He always said, “If it doesn’t work, get up and go back out and do it.” So that’s what I tell people: Don’t forget to vote, don’t forget to do things if it doesn’t happen the first time. You’ve got to keep doing it. You can’t cave.
Upcoming Exhibit:
May Pang’s photography exhibit The Lost Weekend — The Photography of May Pang, an exhibition of candid photos of John Lennon, will be on view:
Fri-Sun. Nov. 7–9 at One Martine Gallery, 1 Martine Ave., White Plains, N.Y.
Pang will be in attendance all three days.
Hours:
Fri. and Sat., noon–6 p.m.
Sun., noon–5 p.m.
Admission is free. Photographs will be available for purchase.
Note: Per gallery policy, Pang may only autograph items purchased at the exhibition.
For more information, visit maypangphotography.com.
