3-27-2024 11:47pm

Beatle John Lennon's "Lost Weekend" Era Coming to Mason

Beth Callahan Editor

(Photo by Scott Segelbaum) May Pang relaxes against a wall at a recent "The Lost Weekend" exhibit.

MASON, OH -- A two-day free exhibition "The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang" is coming to Gallery 42 in Mason on Tuesday April 30 & Wednesday May 1, 2024. Pang, who was Lennon's companion and lover during this time of his life, is releasing her photos to coincide with the recently released feature film documentary on Lennon and Pang, "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story." Watch the film’s trailer below...

"Few people knew John Lennon as intimately as May Pang," noted Scott Segelbaum of RockArtShow.com who explains that Pang was Lennon’s lover during the infamous “Lost Weekend,” which lasted 18 months during late 1973 through 1975.

During this highly creative time for Lennon, Pang took candid photos of Lennon in a comfortable, relaxed environment. A collection of these private photographs will be on display and available for purchase at Gallery 42.

With Pang's help, Lennon had his most artistically and commercially productive period post-Beatles—with the albums Mind Games, Walls and Bridges, which included his only #1 Hit Single Whatever Gets You Through the Night, Rock and Roll, and collaboration with Rock legends Elton John, David Bowie, Harry Nilsson, Mick Jagger and Ringo among others. Also, on that album Pang can be heard on the song #9 Dream where she whispers John’s name in the song. Another song on the album Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox) was written about Pang.

It was Pang who also encouraged Lennon to reconnect with his family, arranging for Julian Lennon to visit his father for the first time in almost three years, and his friends, which ultimately led to a reunion with Paul McCartney and a memorable jam session between the two Beatles. Lennon also went into the studio with friend Harry Nilsson during this time and produced his album Pussy Cats.

During this time, Pang rented a house in Santa Monica and moved in with Lennon and fellow partiers Ringo Starr, Keith Moon (The Who) and Harry Nilsson. Several photos from this time appear in the exhibition.

Other highlights of the exhibition include the only photograph that exists of John Lennon signing the contract to dissolve the Beatles as well as one of the last known photographs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney together from March 29, 1974. Both photographs have never been available to the public until now.

Along with publishing three books on her times with Lennon including Loving John, John Lennon – The Lost Weekend, and Instamatic Karma featuring photos from her private archives, one of Pang’s photographs of Julian Lennon graces the cover of Julian’s latest album entitled Jude.

Check out the 2-day show at Gallery 42 on...

Tuesday, April 30 from 12p.m. – 8p.m. and
Wednesday, May 1 from 12p.m. – 7p.m.

Admission to the exhibit is free to the public and all works are available to purchase.

"The exhibition will provide fans a rare opportunity to see John Lennon in a new light, through the lens of someone who knew him intimately during one of the most creative periods," Segelbaum added.

Gallery 42 is located at 105 E. Main St., Mason, OH. For more information call (513) 492-7474 or visit www.artenclave.com/collections/gallery-42