Sean Ono Lennon Playfully Suggests His Mom Might Be the Only One Who’d Say No to Writing with John Lennon

Sean Lennon in March 2024; John Lennon and Yoko Ono in August 1968.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Sean Ono Lennon appeared on a recent episode of CBS Sunday Morning.
• He discussed the legacy of his parents, John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
• Sean humorously remarked that Yoko was “probably only one person in the world who would turn down John Lennon as a writing partner.”

In a recent interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, reflected on his family’s legacy and his mother’s artistic choices.

When asked about Yoko’s current well-being, Sean shared, “She’s good. I mean, you know, she’s 92, so she’s slowed down a lot, and she’s retired.”

Sean highlighted the pressure he feels to uphold the standards set by his mother, explaining, “That’s why I’m kind of trying to do the work that she used to do. I feel a lot of pressure, actually, to do my best, because she set a high standard for the way that she dealt with my dad’s music and The Beatles’ stuff.”

John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who met in 1966 and married three years later, welcomed Sean in October 1975. John, who tragically passed away at 40 in 1980, is also the father of Julian Lennon, his son with ex-wife Cynthia.

Though John and Yoko collaborated on several albums, Sean noted his mother’s inclination for solo work, stating, “She’s always been very singular. And I think my dad was less so.”

He added, “You know, he had Paul [McCartney] to write with, and then he was hoping that my mom would kind of be a writing partner. I just think it’s really funny that there’s probably only one person in the world who would turn down John Lennon as a writing partner, and that’s my mom, you know?”

During the interview, Sean also mentioned his new role as custodian of his father’s legacy, declaring, “I’m technically taking over Yoko’s role as custodian of my dad’s legacy. But obviously the world is also the custodian of his legacy, I would say.”

Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon, and John Lennon in New York City in 1977.

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Sean expressed his commitment to preserving his parents’ legacy, saying, “I’m just doing my best to help make sure that the younger generation doesn’t forget about The Beatles and John and Yoko. I think it’s possible for people to forget about the iconic ‘Hey Jude’ band.” He continued, “My parents gave me so much that I think it’s the least I can do to try and support their legacy in my lifetime. It’s a personal thing.”

He characterized his parents’ legacy as one of “peace and love,” adding, “But it’s not just peace and love. It’s an attitude towards activism that is done with humor and love.”