Takin' a Walk – Julian Lennon: A Walk Through Music, Art, and Life's Fragile Moments

Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Julian Lennon
Release Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Takin’ a Walk, host Buzz Knight is joined by multi-talented artist Julian Lennon. Their intimate conversation deep-dives into Julian’s new photography book Life’s Fragile Moments, his artistic evolution, resilience in the face of life’s challenges, and his far-reaching work in music and philanthropy. Lennon candidly discusses creativity across multiple mediums, personal well-being, the significance of "walking," and treasured life lessons inherited from his parents and mentors.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Julian Lennon's New Book: Life’s Fragile Moments

• Genesis and Approach
  • The book serves as a career-spanning retrospective showcasing the best of Julian's work as a fine art photographer.
  • The curation process was intensive: “Editing down hundreds, if not thousands of images for this book was very, very painful... being told that we need to take 50 images and make them five images to represent that collection was a daunting, daunting prospect.” (06:56)
  • Coordinated with a simultaneous major exhibition in Venice, making it “a real learning process” and a “very, very special” milestone. (06:14 – 10:51)
• On Reception and Pride
  • “I’m beyond happy. I was almost tearful when I … this is the first one that came off the press ... I still kiss it every once in a while, like the Blarney stone, you know, for good luck.” (08:56)
  • Book’s title, though not chosen by Julian, is from the lyrics of his song “Disconnected” and deeply resonates with the photographic themes.

2. Multiplicity and Creativity Across Mediums

• On Not Being Pigeonholed
  • “A lot of artists and a lot of people get pigeonholed all the time, and I’ve always hated that concept... Art is art, photography is photography, music is music. It doesn’t matter what genre or where it comes from.” (03:00, 27:55)
• Creative Process
  • Julian thrives on juggling different projects and describes himself as “scatterbrained” (now referred to as ADHD).
  • “I think I’d lose my mind if I just stayed the one course ... Whenever I need a diversionary tactic ... photography became a major player in that way.” (12:46)
• On Administrative Demands
  • “There’d be a hundred emails at my desk ... I finished the first 30 and want to go and get a cup of tea ... By the time I come back, there’s another 30 to 50 emails. It became this endless insane cycle—where’s the creativity?” (15:26)

3. Walking for Health, Inspiration, and Presence

• Coping with Blocks and Anxiety
  • Julian describes battling depression and anxiety; walking provides a powerful antidote:
    • “The one thing I know I should do when I feel like that is leave the house ... whether that’s in the mountains or down by the sea ... and also, without question, taking the camera along.” (18:59 – 19:50)
• On Being Present
  • Drawing on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh:
    • “Walking ... is really where you are present, completely present ... For me, I would have to say it’s not dissimilar to how I started when I started taking photographs ... These are fleeting moments, these last for a second. They will never be the same again. It’s just like our lives.” (21:45 – 22:40)

4. Musical Influences and Artistic Freedom

• On Listening Habits and Discovery
  • Rather than gravitating to The Beatles catalog, Julian highlights diverse influences: “Keith Jarrett, the Koln Concert; Steely Dan ... pick an album on its side.” (25:04)
  • Loves new, independent music, especially via KCRW’s Eclectic 24: “...it always has independent new up and coming artists ... artists that are really creative, really melodic, really unique ... stuff you just don’t get to hear on regular radio these days.” (26:12)
• Resisting Artistic Boxes
  • “I don’t want to be in a box. Who says you have to be in a box? No, thank you. If you’ve got the will and the mind to go for it, then you should go for it.” (27:55)
• Rock Memories
  • First live band: AC/DC at age 16 with Bon Scott. “That was a memorable time ... the good stuff sticks around.” (29:08 – 29:45)

5. Resilience, Family, and the Music Industry

• Public Life and Support
  • Lennon's mother, Cynthia, was his example in facing public scrutiny:
    • “She just showed me that no matter what they throw at you, just keep on keeping on and be strong and believe that you’re worth it.” (30:26)
• Music Industry Reflections
  • Admits leaving the industry multiple times:
    • “The creativity, the work, the recording and live performances were all joys. But again, the admin, the people behind the scenes and what they were trying to get out of you, that was another story altogether.” (31:28)

6. Lifelong Collaborations & Mentors

• Justin Clayton
  • “Justin and I met when we were 11 years old … we’re literally in touch every other day ... still working ... he really is my oldest friend and I trust him musically.” (37:08)
• Phil Ramone
  • Production legend who shaped Julian’s debut album: “Phil, of course, meant the world to me ... there was a quality in his writing and the production that I just fell in love with.” (37:43 – 39:00)
  • Emotional story about reconnecting just before Ramone’s death—a “book that was never finished.” (40:11)

7. Origins & Work of the White Feather Foundation

• Spiritually Significant Genesis
  • Recalls a formative moment when an Aboriginal elder in Australia presented him with a white feather—fulfilling a sign his late father had spoken of.
    • “Dad had said ... If something happens to me ... it’s going to be ... in the form of a white feather. And so when I received that white feather, to me, that was undeniable truth, undeniable connection with the spiritual world.” (41:50 – 44:00)
• Foundation’s Mission
  • Focuses on Indigenous causes, clean water, health, education, and providing scholarships, especially for girls in honor of his mother.
  • “What the White Feather foundation tries to do is catch those causes and again, help those people without a voice ... A proportion of whatever I make ... goes to the White Feather foundation.” (47:24 – 49:05)

8. Does Music Heal?

• Therapeutic Power
  • “Yeah, without question ... With certain sounds, moods, tones ... you can certainly be lifted out of the doldrums ... or be able to work on yourself.” (49:26 – 50:01)

9. The Tools and Philosophy of Photography

• First Cameras
  • Reminisces about early family cameras, Polaroid SX70, and how digital led to renewed passion:
    • “When digital came along ... instant gratification ... My challenge ... was how do I make digital pictures look like they’re film? That was something I worked on for a number of years.” (50:57 – 54:59)
• Current Gear
  • Likes using his phone for spontaneous shots, but relies on the Leica Q3:
    • “My favorite chuck-it-in-my-bag camera is, I have to say, is the Leica Q3 ... gives you the best of both worlds ... the quality is beautiful.” (57:43)
• Inspiration
  • Names Ansel Adams and Elliot Erwitt, but jokes: “Whenever I’m asked who’s your favorite, my mind goes blank ... I’m bloody useless.” (58:06)

10. On U2's Sphere Concert and Live Experience

• Vegas Sphere Impressions
  • “...your attention is certainly drawn to the visuals ... it was, for me, predominantly a visual draw at the end of the day than a live band draw ... with a band like U2, they've always been at the forefront of unique stage presentation. So in many respects, I expected nothing less.” (59:26 – 62:19)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On resisting labels:
  “For me, art is art, photography is photography, music is music. It doesn’t matter what genre or where it comes from.” (03:00, 27:55 – Julian Lennon)
• On why he walks:
  “Whenever I feel anxiety come on, I go, I've got to get out, I've got to walk ... and I’m always inspired when I do that.” (19:50 – Julian Lennon)
• On creativity and life:
  “I’d lose my mind if I just stayed the one course ... I have to find something else to do.” (13:24 – Julian Lennon)
• On spiritual signs:
  “When I received that white feather, to me, that was undeniable truth, undeniable connection with the spiritual world. I’m not a religious guy, but spiritual, yes.” (44:00 – Julian Lennon)
• On the music industry:
  “There were few and far between good people in the industry and that's just being absolutely honest.” (32:26 – Julian Lennon)
• On walking as presence:
  “The walking element is really where you are present, completely present ... it’s a major stress reliever, you know, and I throw a lot of stress on my shoulders because I want the work that I'm doing to be the best that it can be ... those walking moments are very, very special.” (21:45 – 24:40 – Julian Lennon)

Segment Timestamps

• 03:00 – Julian on pigeonholing and multi-medium art
• 04:33 – 10:51 – Genesis, process, and emotion of Life’s Fragile Moments
• 12:28 – 15:26 – Juggling creative pursuits, admin, and maintaining joy
• 18:59 – 24:40 – Mental health, the power of taking walks, and savoring moments
• 24:40 – 27:43 – Musical tastes: Beatles, Steely Dan, Keith Jarrett, AC/DC, and eclecticism
• 29:08 – 31:28 – Early concert memories, life in the public eye, lessons from his mother
• 37:08 – 41:31 – Enduring friendships, Phil Ramone, and the making of his latest album
• 41:50 – 49:05 – The White Feather story, spiritual connection, and foundation’s work
• 49:26 – 50:51 – Music’s healing power for Julian
• 50:57 – 58:03 – Origins in photography, digital techniques, current cameras, and favorite photographers
• 59:21 – 62:19 – U2’s Sphere show, tech & music in live performance

Conclusion

This wide-ranging walk with Julian Lennon is a rich meditation on creativity, the interconnectedness of art forms, the pursuit of authenticity, and service to others. It’s a testament to embracing life’s fragility through presence, resilience, and giving back.

Host’s Closing Remarks:
“I appreciate everything about you and that you continue to give us. I’m so grateful and thank you.” (62:29 – Buzz Knight)

Julian’s Farewell:
“It’s been my absolute pleasure and I hope to see you sooner than later. Maybe on a walk one day.” (63:06 – Julian Lennon)