In Columbia show, May Pang to 'clear up the story' of John Lennon's infamous 'Lost Weekend'

COLUMBIA — There are endless maligned women in popular culture, many of whom are billed as the Mistress, the Ruin, the Savior, the Muse. May Pang is one such woman.

Pang was approached by Yoko Ono, the artist and musician most known for her decadeslong, tumultuous relationship with Beatles cofounder John Lennon. Ono and Lennon's marriage was on the rocks, and they were separating. 

Ono suggested Pang, who was the duo's assistant at Apple Records, take over as the songwriter's lover and caretaker. Pang resisted at first. Ono and Lennon were her bosses, and she respected their marriage. But, after several conservations and Lennon "charming the pants" off her, a 22-year-old Pang began a relationship with Lennon in 1973.

What followed was an 18-month relationship where Pang and Lennon lived and worked together.

It's a time immortalized in song and myth — some say it was Lennon's healthiest time; he reconnected with his son, Julian, and his father. Others say it was a bender; he drank and partied and wrote songs about it, like any good rock star. "The Lost Weekend" took place from 1973-75, but its legend has been canonized in rock mythology for decades. 

"People forget John was human," Pang told Free Times, her New York accent thick and decisive. "I'm not saying everything was hunky-dory. I'm not saying everybody was good or everybody was bad. We had the good and the bad in all situations. But you got to look at it from what was that person dealing with? Most people don't know, but they like to insert themselves with every bit of their opinion."

Now, 50 years after their whirlwind time together, Pang is seeking to "take the narrative back" in a new traveling exhibit of photographs, "The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang." The exhibit, and Pang, will be at the Rob Shaw Gallery March 19-20. 

The exhibit features photos of Lennon at home, hanging out with a young Julian Lennon, and swimming with his friends, like Elton John, who collaborated with Lennon during this time, most notably on "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night."  

"There's a story behind every photograph," Pang said. She wrote blurbs to pair with each image, which are available to purchase as limited-edition prints, but will be at the gallery both nights of the exhibit to answer more questions and talk with guests. 

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The photos center a lot around domestic life. There's a shot of Lennon walking in the woods with two burly dogs, a shot of Lennon with his tongue out and one where he's drinking in the sun post-swim. 

Photos of musicians whom Lennon hung around with during this time — Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson and Mick Jagger — also pop up in the exhibit. 

Pang's images capture Lennon at home, among friends and family. Her intimate access allowed her to capture the pivotal moments of this era, including Lennon signing the paperwork to dissolve the Beatles while they were at Disney World. 

"They finally get to see a John that was at home. Not the John Lennon posed for an article. This is our home life," Pang described. "I know that John wouldn’t have minded, because he looks good in these photos."

'Taking back the narrative' of The Lost Weekend

The photos, along with a 2022 documentary on the same topic, is Pang's way of "taking back the narrative" about The Lost Weekend. 

"We’re in such a visual time, and seeing it, it’s an explanation," Pang said of the exhibit. "There’s so much judgment all around. And I listen and say, 'You weren’t in my shoes.'"

Despite numerous interviews and two books (both are no longer in production), Pang said she deals with constant "misinformation" about her relationship with Lennon. It wasn't one weekend. Lennon wasn't the unhealthiest he'd ever been. Things didn't end so cleanly, with Ono calling Lennon home to New York City. 

"When he went back to Yoko, they had to put a blame somewhere, of why," Pang said of their 1975 separation, when Lennon returned to his marriage. "And it's a lot more complicated than the simple, 'oh, he went back.' But the thing is, you can't always explain it at the moment. It's not always so cut and dry." 

The exhibit and documentary are intimate windows into one of the most famous artists the world has ever seen.

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Though Lennon and his legacy are both lauded and lambasted — Lennon admitted he physically and verbally abused his first wife, and was prone to violent outbursts and offensive remarks — Pang's exhibit is too narrow a view to focus on the mythos of Lennon. It's an intimate capsule collection of life. No judgments are cast and no excuses are made. 

And besides, the exhibit isn't about John Lennon. It's about May Pang. 

"I don't want to spend my time dwelling on (misinformation)," the Chinese-American woman said. "There's still so much out there, so much to go forward." 

Pang will be at Rob Shaw Gallery's new Vista location from noon to 8 p.m. on March 19 and from noon to 7 p.m. on March 20. Admission is free, and limited-edition prints will be for sale.