Why John Lennon “Resented” Being in The Beatles, According to Son Sean

John Lennon’s son Sean reveals why his father grew to resent Beatles fame and sought a new artistic path beyond the pop machine.

A Son’s Insight Into John Lennon’s Beatles Years

If you’ve ever wondered what it felt like to be John Lennon, one of the most influential figures in music history, you’re not alone. Recently, Sean Ono Lennon, John’s son with avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, opened up about the complex emotions his father experienced during his Beatles years. Born in 1975, Sean has a unique perspective, having grown up in the shadow of a legend and now working to preserve his father’s legacy.

John Lennon, 1968

Sean shared these reflections during an interview on BBC Radio 6 Music with Chris Hawkins, where he peeled back the layers of Lennon’s relationship with fame, music, and identity after The Beatles’ colossal success.

The Burden of Beatlemania: Fame as a Machinery

Sean’s perspective sheds light on a side of John Lennon that often gets lost behind the dazzling fame and adulation. He doesn’t believe his father ever lost his love for music itself but rather the trappings of fame and the “pop machine” that came with being a Beatle.

“I think he’d fallen out of love with a certain kind of fame. I think he’d fallen out of love with having to be a part of a machinery, of a pop machine, you know.” – Sean Ono Lennon

This “machinery” wasn’t just the relentless public attention but also the creative constraints and expectations that come with being in the world’s biggest band. Despite his rebellious streak, Lennon apparently resented that role and longed to break free.

Love and Radical Change: The Catalyst with Yoko Ono

Sean points to Lennon’s relationship with Yoko Ono as a pivotal force in his desire to redefine himself. With Yoko, John found not only love but also a partner in radical artistic and political expression. Together, they moved beyond the polished pop world of The Beatles to embrace activism and experimental sounds.

“I think his relationship with my mom was the catalyst for it and the symbol of it in his mind. And he wanted to move on and be a radical artist and activist with, you know, this girl, Yoko, who he had fallen in love with.” – Sean Ono Lennon

This shift wasn’t without its growing pains. Their joint album Some Time in New York City received mixed reactions. Sean admits it wasn’t for everyone—rougher, rawer, and deeply political, it diverged sharply from the Beatles’ manicured image. But that roughness was the true rock spirit, even proto-punk in nature.

Experimentation and Political Messages: Too Ahead of Their Time?

Sean describes Some Time in New York City as brash and impulsive, a far cry from the meticulously crafted Beatles’ records. The album’s political heaviness coupled with this raw sound was perhaps too much for the wider audience.

“It was almost like a punk, a proto-punk kind of spirit. But I don’t think people were ready for that, paired with how heavily political the messaging was.” – Sean Ono Lennon

This meant commercial disappointment, which was tough for both John and Yoko. But it was an honest expression and a clear break from the past.

A Glimpse into the Era: Trailer for One To One: John & Yoko

For a vivid window into this transformative period, check out the trailer for the documentary One To One: John & Yoko, which Sean helped master. It captures the couple’s life in 1970s Greenwich Village, their activism, and the benefit concert they played at Madison Square Garden.

Moving Forward: From Activism Back to Peace and Love

Sean also reflected on the Mind Games album, a product of what he calls a “really terrifying” time for John and Yoko. After their intense activism phase, they wanted to make music that embraced peace and love again, stepping away from the harsh political tone.

“I think they felt like they didn’t want to be in that world anymore. They realized that it was not a fun road for them and so they wanted to make music that was less directly attacking the establishment and focusing more on peace and love again.” – Sean Ono Lennon

Instant Karma! and Beyond: More Live Performances

Enjoy the raw energy of John and Yoko’s live performances that reflect this complex era, such as this spirited rendition of Come Together with the Plastic Ono Band and Elephant's Memory.

And here’s a powerful version of Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) that exemplifies their magnetic presence and message:

A Bittersweet Documentary and a Legacy Preserved

Critics have praised One To One: John & Yoko as a beautifully structured and deeply moving film that balances politics with personal intimacy. Its bittersweet tone highlights just how much Lennon’s story continues to resonate.

Sean’s commitment to his father’s legacy extends beyond the documentary. He recently oversaw the Power To The People boxset, due for release on October 10, which dives into John and Yoko’s New York City years. It’s packed with unreleased demos, home recordings, jam sessions, live cuts, and fresh mixes—including a restored version of Instant Karma!

Sean’s Personal Journey: Music as Connection

Sean has shared how making music helped him cope with losing his father. Rather than starting out as a prodigy, he played Lennon’s songs as a way to fill the void left by his death and feel connected.

“I never played music because I was good at it. I lost my father and I didn’t know how to fill that void. Learning how to play his songs on guitar was a way to process the loss with an activity that made me feel connected to him.” – Sean Ono Lennon

Collaborations and Continuing the Beatles’ Spirit

Sean isn’t just a guardian of the past—he’s actively making new music and collaborating with fellow Beatles sons. His recent work with Zak Starkey’s band Mantra Of The Cosmos and Paul McCartney’s son James on the track Rip Off keeps the family’s musical torch burning bright.

Reflecting on John Lennon’s Complex Relationship with Fame

It’s a story of love, rebellion, loss, and transformation. John Lennon’s journey from Beatlemania to radical artist and activist was complicated. Thanks to Sean Ono Lennon’s heartfelt insights, we get a clearer picture of why John may have “resented” his Beatles chapter—not the music itself, but the machinery and expectations that came with it.

FAQ

• What did Sean Ono Lennon say about his father’s feelings toward being a Beatle?
  Sean explained that John Lennon resented being part of the "pop machine" and longed to break free from the tight constraints of Beatles fame.
• How did John Lennon’s relationship with Yoko Ono influence his career?
  Their relationship inspired John to pursue more radical, experimental music and political activism, moving away from polished pop.
• Why was the album Some Time in New York City controversial?
  It was raw, impulsive, and heavily political, a stark contrast to Beatles’ music, which made it hard for many listeners to embrace at the time.
• What is the documentary One To One: John & Yoko about?
  It chronicles John and Yoko’s life in early '70s New York, highlighting their activism and musical collaborations during that era.
• How did Sean Ono Lennon start making music?
  Sean began playing music as a way to cope with his father’s death, learning John’s songs to feel connected and fill the emotional void.

If you’re inspired by John Lennon’s storied journey and want to bring a piece of rock history into your home, shop your favorite album cover posters at our store here. Celebrate the legacy of a true music icon with art that speaks to your soul.