John Lennon's onetime companion May Pang brings photo exhibit to Sharpsburg | TribLIVE.com
TribLive Logo
| Back | Text Size:
https://triblive.com/aande/museums/john-lennons-one-time-companion-may-pang-brings-photo-exhibit-to-sharpsburg/

John Lennon's onetime companion May Pang brings photo exhibit to Sharpsburg

Alexis Papalia
| Tuesday, June 10, 2025 9:11 a.m.
Courtesy May Pang
May Pang’s photographs of John Lennon will be on display at the exhibit ‘The Lost Weekend,’ running June 10-11 at Atithi Studios in Sharpsburg

Musician John Lennon has reached mythical status over the years, first as a member of the industry-changing group The Beatles and then as an enigmatic artist and figure in his own right before his assassination in 1980. Now, with a new exhibition by onetime companion May Pang, fans are getting a more candid look at Lennon than ever before.

“The Lost Weekend” is a series of photographs Pang took when she and Lennon were together. It will be showing at Atithi Studios in Sharpsburg on June 10 and 11.

Pang also made a documentary titled “The Lost Weekend: A Love Story” that was released in 2023. She urges those who wish to attend the exhibit to watch the film first to get the full story.

Pang grew up in New York City as a music lover. She revered songwriters such as Carole King and Ellie Greenwich, and of course, the Beatles. In 1970, she began working for music industry revolutionary Allen Klein at ABKCO.

“I guess that was wishful thinking and it came true,” Pang said in an interview.

Klein had also acquired Apple Corps, the media company created by the Beatles, while still managing the Rolling Stones and several other massive artists of the time.

“It was everything. That was like, I love this. I wanted to learn more,” Pang said.

After working with Lennon and Yoko Ono on several projects, Pang became a personal assistant to the couple in 1971.

“I had already been working for John and Yoko for about three years before this whole thing happened between me and him,” she said. “That was my happiest time … working in the studio. It was great. I was told when I started working with him, John doesn’t want anyone else in the studio except you.”

After Lennon and Ono separated in July 1973, Lennon and Pang began a relationship. This was a very productive time creatively for the musician, and Pang assisted with anything she could.

“We just floated along. And then when I sit down, start talking about it, I go, ‘Oh, I guess we did a lot.’ ”

Lennon also collaborated with several other well-known artists during that time. That includes — most contentiously — singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson.

“That’s another story on its own. I love the guy. And, you know, people may hear me complain. But the only complaint about him is basically I don’t agree with his methods of going around … I mean, he loved the party. John liked to party, too, but not to the extent that he was doing it, which everybody has it wrong.”

Pang said that Lennon was glowingly respectful of her during their relationship. She talked about how, in one conversation with music industry bigwigs, Lennon turned around and said, “This girl knows everything about publishing.”

“He was very pro-woman, and he was changing,” she said. She also talked about encouraging Lennon to reconnect with his son Julian. “I said, it’s time, you have to see your son. And he even acknowledged to me, he said, Cynthia (Powell, his ex-wife) did a great job raising him, and I was very happy to hear him say that.”

Pang remembers Lenon with great fondness, both creatively and personally.

“He didn’t have all the answers. He would say, I don’t have it, but I’m going to keep trying until I find it.”

Pang made her film to correct some of the myths that have floated through our culture about Lennon, and about herself. She was surprised to find that there was great interest in the photographs that she is currently touring.

“What it comes down to is the experience that when you come to the show, you get a chance to speak to me (about) a period that’s a mystery to certain people. Answers that only I could answer. You have people who come up and shake my hand or they give me a hug and they say, ‘You’re the closest I’ll ever get to John Lennon.’ ”

“The Lost Weekend: May Pang’s Photographs of John Lennon” will show at Atithi Studios in Sharpsburg from 1 to 7 p.m. on June 10 and 11. To learn more, visit atithistudios.com.


Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)