May Pang and John Lennon. Photo via FoxNews
Yoko Ono wasn’t the only woman in John Lennon’s life after the Beatles. Lennon’s lover of nearly two years, May Pang, has just released a book of photos chronicling the time she spent with John while he and Yoko were on the outs. The book, called “Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon” features intimate photos of John doing everyday things such as taking a trip to Disneyland, playing with his pet cats and his son Julian, and hanging out around New York City. Pang says she began her romance with John, surprisingly enough, at the suggestion of Yoko herself. Hey, it was the 70’s– anything went back then.

May Pang, John Lennon’s former lover during 18 months in 1973 and 1974 has completed a new book which is being endorsed by John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia Lennon. May’s affair with John was arranged by her employer Yoko Ono when Yoko split from John. During their 18-month relationship also known as the “Lost Weekend,” several of John’s records were produced which can arguably be said to be his most creative time after the Beatles broke up.

Yoko is said to have tried to systematically erase May from Lennon’s history, but May has now published a collection of photos she had during her time with him. May’s new book, “Instamatic Karma” is hitting stores next month. Although this is May’s second book about her relationship, the photos in this new book haven’t yet been published.

[From Dotspotter]

John’s first wife, Cynthia, has given her blessing to the book, saying that May was a positive force in John’s life who urged the singer/songwriter to maintain his relationship with his son Julian. The relationship had been strained after John left Cynthia to marry Yoko.

JOHN LENNON’s first wife CYNTHIA has pledged her full support to the late BEATLE’s ex-girlfriend MAY PANG and the forthcoming release of her book INSTAMATIC KARMA. Pang - who was Lennon’s assistant and lover in 1973, when the star had temporarily separated from his second wife Yoko Ono - is soon set to release a book of previously unseen photos taken of the legendary rocker during their 18-month romance. The collection, titled in reference to Lennon’s song Instant Karma!, features 150 photographs of the Imagine singer, including shots of him in the studio recording his album Walls And Bridges, and images with his Fab Four bandmates Sir Paul MCCartney and Ringo Starr. And Cynthia, who befriended Pang when she reunited her and Lennon’s son Julian with his father in the early 1970s, is glad she is using the photos so creatively. She says, “She is a lovely, vibrant lady. She was a good friend when my son and I needed one, and a dear close friend now. The book of photographic memories is very special and evocative of times remembered… “For all that May has done in the past and hopes to achieve in the future, Julian and I will be her greatest champions… May, I wish you all the success in the world.”

[From Contact Music]

The most interesting part of this book to me is the way in which Lennon could still do everyday things like walk down the street, play in the park, etc. without being mobbed by paparazzi. Here was one of the most famous men in the world, but he was still able to have a somewhat normal life after leaving the Beatles. I doubt that would be the case today. Something tells me if John were alive today he probably would have left the U.S. by now to avoid having his privacy invaded.