May Pang
May Pang | |
---|---|
jewellery designer | |
Known for | Professional and personal relationship with John Lennon |
Spouse | |
Partner | John Lennon (1973–1975) |
Children | 2 |
Website | maypang |
May Pang | |
---|---|
Hanyu Pinyin | Páng Fèngyí |
Wade–Giles | P'ang Feng-I |
Yale Romanization | Páng Fèngyí |
IPA | [pʰǎŋ fə̂ŋ.ǐ] |
Yue: Cantonese | |
Yale Romanization | Pòhng Fuhngyìh |
Jyutping | Pong4 Fung6ji4 |
IPA | [pʰɔːŋ˩ foŋ˨.jiː˩] |
Southern Min | |
Hokkien POJ | Pâng Hōng-gî |
May Fung Yee Pang (born October 24, 1950) is an American former music executive. She worked for John Lennon and Yoko Ono as a personal assistant and production coordinator. When Lennon and Ono separated in 1973, Pang and Lennon began a relationship that lasted more than 18 months. Lennon later referred to this time as his "Lost Weekend". Pang published two books about her relationship with Lennon; a memoir, Loving John (Warner, 1983), and a book of photographs, Instamatic Karma (St. Martin's Press, 2008). A documentary about their relationship, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, was produced in 2022.
Pang was married to producer Tony Visconti from 1989 to 2000 and has two children.
Early years and education
Pang was born in Manhattan. She is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and grew up in the
After graduating from Saint Michael Academy, Pang attended New York City Community College. She aspired to be a model, but modeling agencies reportedly told her she was too "ethnic".
Pang was asked to help Lennon and Ono with their
"Lost Weekend"
In mid-1973, Pang was working on the recording of Lennon's Mind Games album. Lennon and Ono were having marital problems, and Ono suggested to Pang that she become Lennon's companion.[4][7] Ono explained that she and Lennon were not getting along, they had been arguing and were growing apart, and that Lennon would start seeing other women. She pointed out that Lennon had said he found Pang sexually attractive. Pang replied that she could never start a relationship with Lennon as he was her employer and married. Ono ignored Pang's protests and said that she would arrange everything.[8] Ono later confirmed this conversation in an interview.[9]
At the time Lennon had his 18-month relationship with Pang, he was in a period of his life that he later referred to as his "Lost Weekend", in reference to the
In October 1973, Lennon and Pang left New York for Los Angeles to promote Mind Games, and decided to stay for a while, living at lawyer Harold Seider's apartment for a couple of days and then Lou Adler's house.[11] While there, Lennon was inspired to embark on two recording projects: to make an album of the old rock 'n' roll songs that inspired him to become a musician, and to produce another artist. In December 1973, Lennon collaborated with Phil Spector to record the oldies album Rock 'n' Roll. Lennon's drinking and Spector's erratic behavior (which included his firing a gun in the studio control room) caused the sessions to break down.[12] Then Spector, who claimed to have been in a car accident, took the session tapes and became unreachable.
In March 1974, Lennon began producing
Julian began to see his father more regularly. Lennon bought Julian a
In June 1974, Lennon and Pang returned to live in Manhattan. Lennon stopped drinking and concentrated on recording.[19] Lennon previously had cats while he lived at his Aunt Mimi's house in Liverpool; he and Pang adopted two cats that they named Major and Minor.[20][21] In the early summer, Lennon was working on his Walls and Bridges album when the couple moved into a penthouse apartment at 434 East 52nd Street. On August 23, Lennon and Pang claimed to have seen a UFO from their terrace, which had a panoramic view of Queens. To gain access to the deck, Lennon and Pang had to climb out of their kitchen window.[22] On the night in question, a naked Lennon excitedly called Pang to join him on the deck outside and they both watched a circular object silently floating less than 100 feet away.[20] Lennon called Bob Gruen—Lennon's "official" photographer—and told him what had happened. Gruen suggested Lennon should call the police, but Lennon laughed it off, saying, "I’m not going to call up the newspaper and say 'This is John Lennon and I saw a flying saucer last night.'" Gruen called the local police precinct which confirmed that three other people had reported a sighting, and the Daily News wrote that five people had reported a sighting in the same area of New York where Lennon and Pang lived.[20] Lennon refers to the incident in the song "Nobody Told Me".
Walls and Bridges rose to the top spot on the album charts. Lennon achieved his only number-one solo US single in his lifetime with "Whatever Gets You thru the Night". Pang's is the voice whispering Lennon's name on "#9 Dream". "Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)" was written about her.[10] Julian played drums on the album's last track, "Ya Ya".[23] While recording Walls and Bridges, Al Coury, vice president of promotion for Capitol Records, got possession of the chaotic Spector session tapes and brought them to New York. Lennon completed his oldies album, which was titled Rock 'n' Roll, with the same musicians he used on Walls and Bridges. Pang received an RIAA gold record award for her work on Walls and Bridges and continued her work as production coordinator of Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album, where she was credited as "Mother Superior". Pang also worked on albums by Nilsson, Starr, Elton John and David Bowie.[2]
While visiting
Lennon lamented this period publicly but not in private. Journalist Larry Kane, who befriended Lennon in 1964, wrote a comprehensive biography of Lennon which detailed the "Lost Weekend" period. In the interview with Kane, Lennon explained his feelings about his time with Pang; "You know Larry, I may have been the happiest I've ever been... I loved this woman (Pang), I made some beautiful music and I got so fucked up with booze and shit and whatever."[30][31]
Pang's books about Lennon
After Lennon returned to Ono, Pang started working for
Pang published her memoir Loving John in 1983. It was updated and renamed John Lennon: The Lost Weekend. The original 500-page Loving John book focused mainly on Pang's role on Lennon's albums and sessions.[32] It was edited down to 300 pages, concentrating mostly on the sensational aspects of their relationship. It also included postcards that Lennon had written to Pang during his travels throughout the world in the late 1970s. Pang claims that she and Lennon remained lovers until 1977, and stayed in contact until his death.[33]
Pang's book of photographs Instamatic Karma was published in 2008.[34][35] Besides the candid personal portraits, the book contains some historically important photographs, such as Lennon signing the official dissolution of the Beatles' partnership,[36] and one of the last known photographs of Lennon and Paul McCartney together.[37] Cynthia Lennon also provided a back cover endorsement, acknowledging Pang's role in reuniting Lennon with his estranged first son, Julian.[35]
The Lost Weekend documentary
The
Photography
Coinciding with the release of the 2022 documentary, Pang published a collection of her photographs of Lennon which were made available for sale in an touring exhibition called The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang.[43][44][45][46][47]
Jewelry
Pang started her own jewelry business. She designs stainless-steel feng shui jewelry.[48][49]
Subsequent personal life
Pang married record producer
Although having had no contact for 30 years, on October 9, 2006, Pang accidentally met Ono in Iceland, on what would have been Lennon's 66th birthday. Ono was in Iceland to unveil a sculpture in Reykjavík and was staying in the same hotel.[10]
Pang still resides in New York City.[citation needed] She volunteers with an animal shelter called Animal Haven in New York and owned a dog that was rescued after Hurricane Katrina.[53] She also co-hosts an Internet talk radio show, Dinner Specials with Cynthia and May Pang, at blogtalkradio.com, with on-air partner Cynthia Neilson.[54]
Notes
- ^ a b c d "May Pang is a legend in the Rock n' Roll world". Asiancemagazine. September 1, 2003. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c Harry 1990.
- ^ "Abkco web page". Abkco. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Grant, Peter (April 4, 2005). "My love for 'lost' Lennon". Liverpool Echo. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "1970s". The Liverpool Lennons. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ a b James, Gary. "Gary James' Interview With John Lennon's Girlfriend, May Pang". Classic Bands. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Williams, Precious (May 19, 2002). "Eternal flame". Scotland on Sunday. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-7119-6470-9. Archivedfrom the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Kane 2005, p. 70.
- ^ a b c White, Dave. "Lennon's "Lost Weekend" Lover". About, Classic Rock. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Pang 1983.
- ^ William, Richard (2009). Phil Spector: Out Of His Head.
- ^ Clark, Wesley H.; McDaniel, Michael B. (2016). Lost Burbank.
- ^ Lennon 2005, pp. 336–340.
- ^ "Memorabilia: The Julian Lennon Collection". Lennon.net. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Lennon 2005, p. 345.
- ^ Brooks, Richard (June 13, 2009). "Julian Lennon gives family peace a chance". The Times. London. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Julian Lennon on Covering "Imagine" for the First Time in Support of Ukraine: It Was "The Right Occasion"". April 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Rowan, Terry (2012). Penny Laine´s Anthology. p. 213.
- ^ a b c Warren, Larry. "There's UFOs Over New York and John Lennon Wasn't Too Surprised". UFO Evidence. Archived from the original on June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "John Lennon and May Pang". kamasutra. Archived from the original on November 17, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "A history of UFOs". Pilot online. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Lennon 2005, p. 344.
- ^ "Pang reveals her side of affair with John Lennon". Beatles Unlimited. November 21, 2007. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Pang reveals her side of affair with John Lennon". November 19, 2007. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (September 5, 2001). "Beatles: Lennon planned to meet McCartney in 1974". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Sweet Bird of Paradox". Angelfire. Archived from the original on December 30, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ISBN 0-7535-0404-9.
- ^ "The ballad of John and Yoko's secretary". The Independent. May 4, 2005. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- ^ "Lennon Revealed". Archived from the original on December 15, 2005. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Kane 2005, p. 237.
- ^ "Interview with May Pang". Ear Candy. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Lennon 2005, p. 379.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (August 7, 2007). "John Lennon: Pictures Without Music". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-0312377410– via Internet Archive.
- ^ Giles, Jeff (December 29, 2015). "When John Lennon's Signature Officially Dissolved the Beatles". Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Last Known Photos of John Lennon and Paul McCartney Together in 1974". Vintag.es. February 11, 2018. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story | 2022 Tribeca Festival". Tribecafilm.com.
- ^ "John Lennon's Ex May Pang Recalls Yoko Ono Asking Her to Date the Beatle in 'The Lost Weekend' Trailer".
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (November 16, 2023). "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story review – vivid snapshot of Lennon's dysfunctional liaison". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital HD)" – via Blu-ray.com.
- ^ "Watch The Lost Weekend: A Love Story | Prime Video". Amazon.com.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "May Pang to Showcase Candid Photos of John Lennon at Three-Day Exhibition at Art Post Gallery". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ "May Pang, John Lennon's Lover, Will Display Photos Of The Rock Star In New Hope - New Hope Free Press". Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ ""The Lost Weekend" photography exhibit will be displayed June 16-18." Chicago Tribune. June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ "John Lennon, through the eyes of lover/photographer". Boston Herald. March 18, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ "May Pang to showcase rare photos of John Lennon". The Bucks County Herald. May 11, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ^ Taylor, Alex. "Life with John Lennon: Pomona's May Pang tells all". The Journal News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ "May Pang Reflects on Her Lasting "Weekend" With John Lennon". Fordhamobserver.com. June 28, 2011. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (October 25, 2001). "Lennon Planned to Visit McCartney In 1974". Fox News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2008. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (September 30, 2003). "Beatle Wife, Girlfriend, Come Together". Fox News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Cynthia's New Bio Called "John"". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ Haught, Lori (December 15, 2006). "Getting Fifi to pay for abandoned mutts' care". Downtown Express. 19 (33). Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "May Pang". Listennotes.com. October 24, 2016. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
References
- ISBN 978-0-7535-0404-8.
- ISBN 978-0-7624-2364-4.
- ISBN 978-0-340-89512-2.
- Pang, May (1983). Loving John. Warner Books (paperback). ISBN 978-0-446-37916-8.
External links
- Official website
- The May Pang Gallery Archived May 18, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
- Rock Art Show, photographs by May Pang
- "The Lost Weekend: A Love Story - Official Trailer" on YouTube