In a candid 1980 interview, John Lennon and Yoko Ono discussed their lives, careers, and famously, their 18-month separation in the 1970s. Often misconstrued as John abandoning Yoko, the reality, as they reveal, was far more nuanced. This period, sometimes referred to as John’s “lost weekend,” was a time of personal turmoil and reflection, initiated by Yoko, offering a different perspective on their relationship dynamic and John’s personal struggles.
Yoko explained that the separation was her decision, driven by a need for space and freedom. “I really needed some space because I was used to being an artist and free and all that,” Yoko shared. The constant public scrutiny and the intense pressure of being seen as the woman who “stole John Lennon” weighed heavily on her, impacting her artistic expression and personal well-being. She felt a separation, with John moving to Los Angeles, would provide the necessary respite for her to regain her footing.
John’s initial reaction was a mix of surprise and a fleeting sense of liberation. “At first I thought, ‘Oh!’ you know, ‘Bachelor Life! Whoopee, whoopee.’” However, this initial excitement quickly dissipated as he grappled with the reality of the separation. He soon realized the profound sense of displacement and emotional distress it caused. This period became a stark illustration of how John Lost himself, spiraling into a period of heavy drinking and self-destructive behavior.
The geographical distance didn’t equate to emotional detachment. John and Yoko remained in constant communication, a testament to the underlying bond despite the physical space. John repeatedly expressed his desire to return home, confessing to Yoko his struggles with alcohol and feeling “out of control.” Yet, Yoko, firm in her decision, believed he wasn’t ready to return, prolonging the separation and unintentionally deepening John’s sense of being lost.
“I was trying to hide what I felt in a bottle and it wasn’t doing me any good,” John admitted, highlighting the depth of his despair. He found himself surrounded by heavy drinkers, a lifestyle that only exacerbated his internal turmoil. The environment became chaotic, marked by excessive drinking and a sense of impending disaster, culminating in the tragic death of Keith Moon. This served as a harsh wake-up call for John, forcing him to confront the destructive path he was on.
Yoko, on her part, faced a different kind of struggle. The media painted her as “the poor deserted wife,” a portrayal she found both insulting and humiliating. She endured public sympathy, knowing the narrative was inaccurate but choosing to remain silent to avoid further complicating the situation and out of respect for John’s image. This period reveals Yoko’s strength and resilience, enduring misrepresentation while John navigated his personal crisis.
Ultimately, John’s “lost weekend” was less about carefree bachelorhood and more about a period where he lost his way, grappling with separation and personal demons. His journey back from this period of self-destruction underscores the complexities of their relationship and John’s vulnerability beneath his public persona. The interview provides a valuable insight into a tumultuous time in John Lennon’s life, revealing a period where he was truly, in many senses, lost before finding his way back home, both literally and metaphorically.
