Julian Lennon
John Lennon’s son sings “Imagine” for the first time
Julian Lennon sang his father’s song for the first time.
© s_bukley/ImageCollect
Julian Lennon never wanted to sing his father’s cult song himself – in view of the Ukraine war he made an exception for the first time.
Julian Lennon (59), son of John Lennon (1940-1980), sang his father’s iconic song “Imagine” in public for the first time. On Instagram he explained that he had decided to perform the peace song for the first time on the occasion of the “unimaginable tragedy” that the war in Ukraine represents.
“I’ve always said I wouldn’t even think about singing ‘Imagine’ until it was the end of the world,” writes the musician to the video, in which he sings his father’s lines in a sea of candles, accompanied by a guitarist. “As a person and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most meaningful way possible. So today, for the first time ever, I performed my father’s song ‘Imagine’ in public.”
Collective desire for peace
The text reflects “our collective desire for global peace,” it said. “Because in this song we are transported into a space where love and togetherness becomes our reality, if only for a moment… The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel that we all hope for…”
Lennon posted the cover of the song, which his father released in 1971, on his Instagram page for his 59th birthday (April 8). The performance is part of Global Citizen’s ‘Stand Up For Ukraine’ social media rally raising money for the embattled country and refugees. “I call on world leaders and everyone who believes in the spirit of Imagine to stand up for refugees everywhere,” Lennon continued.
Julian Lennon is the son of John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia Powell. His debut album “Valotte” was released in 1984 and he has since released six studio albums.