Breaking News: Julian Lennon just announced that his mom Cynthia has passed away. Cynthia met John Lennon at Liverpool College of Art and the couple married in 1962. It was perhaps an impossible task to raise a new family just as Beatlemania exploded. The couple was advised to keep their marriage quiet in case it might hurt John's public image with fans, and Cynthia had to weather an increasingly distant and volatile husband. They divorced in 1968. Cynthia married a number of times and pursued a variety of creative outlets during her life. Her second memoir, John, was published in 2005. Julian has written a touching song and a tribute video was posted on his site this morning. Video and vintage images below. My condolences go out to Cynthia's family and the larger community. Story continues below.
The Liverpool Echo shared some statements today, which I'll add now to Spy Vibe's original post from early this morning. From Paul McCartney (with John and Cynthia in image below): "The news of Cynthia's passing is very sad. She was a lovely lady who I've known since our early days in Liverpool together. She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all, but I will always have great memories of our times together." Ringo Starr tweeted a message of "Peace and Love to Julian. God Bless Cynthia." From Yoko Ono: "I'm very saddened by Cynthia's death. She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian. She had such strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time." Gerry Marsden (of the Pacemakers) said he was "shattered" by the news. "Terrible. A dear friend for many years. It's very sad. We send our love and condolences to Julian. She was a lovely lady, a lot of fun. I'm just shattered." Sad to hear another core member of the early Beatles family lost to cancer. The disease also struck George, Neil, Derek, and two other first-wives, Maureen and Linda. As Beatles secretary Freda Kelly said in her recent documentary, what good is all that fame and money- it doesn't cure cancer, does it? George's page at the Oral Cancer Foundation here. Some related posts on Spy Vibe: Pattie Boyd Exhibit, Edward Mann Fashion, Peter Sellers to John Lennon: UK Satire, John Lennon Remembered, Experimental Beatles, Ivan Vaughan, Essential Ringo, Paul at 72, Tony Sheridan R.I.P..
