← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Julian Lennon Joins Buzz Knight: A Walk Through Music History, Art, and Resilience in Life's Fragile Moments
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- [00:00]
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Sophie Cunningham
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Episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [01:14]
Sophie Cunningham
This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep Apnea or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, A medicine company.
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Ed Helms
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Liberty Mutual Narrator
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- [03:00]
Julian Lennon
Iheart Taking a walk A lot of artists and a lot of people get pigeonholed all the time, and I've always hated that concept of pigeonholing. I don't understand it. I don't see the logic behind it. You know, for me, art is art, photography is photography, music is music. It doesn't matter what genre or where it comes from.
- [03:24]
Buzz Knight
Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast, where Buzz Knight explores the lives and legacies of artists of all kinds. And today is no exception, as Buzz is joined by Julian Lennon, whose life has been shaped by his legacy, his personal exploration, and his advocacy. Julian has carved a path in the music and philanthropic world, which continues to leave an indelible mark in both worlds. He emerged as an artist at an early age, working not only in music, but in the world of photography as well. He continues to push the boundaries of his creative and artistic side while continuing to focus on his commitment to environmental conservation through the White Feather foundation, which he founded in 2007. Julian has carved a path which is fascinating, and he joins Buzz Knight on this episode of Taking a Walk right now.
- [04:19]
Podcast Host Bryce
Julian, congratulations on your new photography book, Life's Fragile Moments. I'm so grateful that you're on Taking a Walk. Can you tell me how excited you are to get this out for the world to enjoy it?
- [04:33]
Julian Lennon
Very, very excited. And, you know, it's been many years in the making. In fact, you know, I had hoped to have done a book sooner, but, you know, certain things happen at certain times for certain reasons, and I think certainly this was an opportune time. And the publisher to Noise, you know, came to me earlier this year.
- [05:02]
Approached me to do a book, and, you know, they said, what do you think? What would you consider, you know, what do you. How do you want to approach this? And I said, well, listen, the reality is, is that the majority of the people out there don't even know I'm a photographer, a fine art photographer. So for me, the best way forward that I can see is that the book is a retrospective of sorts, or should I say an overview of the better work from all the collections that I've done over the years to give people an indication of what I get up to when I'm behind the camera. It was a very, very difficult project to work on with very little time. And I'll explain why is that. We. I had the Opportunity to do the book. And I also had an opportunity to do the biggest exhibition I've ever done and a museum exhibition in Venice over the past couple of months alongside the Biennale. So I had the opportunity of doing both of these things.
- [06:15]
But they were separate projects, but I wanted to bring them together so. So that the book would release at the same time as the exhibition was going to come about, et cetera, et cetera. That's why, when I agreed to this, that the. That it became a really tough cookie to work on on a number of levels, because.
- [06:39]
In order to get the book finished, edited, published in time for. For the opening of the exhibition, we had to work on it yesterday. All I can say is I was very thankful for the publishers.
- [06:57]
And the art director, Jan, because he was a lovely guy. Now, I can't imagine trying to work in a virtual world or like this because the publishing company was based in Berlin and I'm elsewhere, so we had to work through mediums like this. And so editing down hundreds, if not thousands of images for this book was very, very painful. And the reason being was the fact that a lot of my earlier collections especially were anywhere between 30 and 50 photographs. And those were from thousands, edited down from thousands. So being told that we need to take 50 images and make them five images to represent that collection was a daunting, daunting prospect. But the editing process, although very, very scary at the beginning, became a real learning tool in how to really focus, how to really express the important stuff and the important images from such a vast choice. And so going through all the different collections, it was certainly tough at the beginning, but as time went on and we only had a few weeks to do this, and this was literally nine hours a day, face to face with my artistic director, Jan, going through the files and folders, barely enough time for the bathroom or a cup of tea, dare I say, never mind food. But at the end of the day, an incredible learning process. And I think. I mean, I'm beyond happy. I mean, I was almost tearful when I. When I first. This is the first one that came off the press and was in my suitcase. It's a little damaged, but I still kiss it every once in a while, like the Balani stone, you know, for good luck. Because I can't believe, you know, that I finally done it. You know, I was. I wasn't sure it would ever happen. So to have the biggest exhibition, museum exhibition I've ever done and the book out at the same time is so, so special. And, you know, again, it's been available since the exhibition over in Europe, but, you know, just going to become available in the US early December. So I'm very, very excited for people to see this stuff, you know. You know, it's a lot of blood, sweat and tears, believe it or not, over the years in trying to do the best job I can, what I do, and, you know, to take on another medium like photography, you know, there are always a lot of naysayers, but again, I think you just bury your head in the work, get on with the creativity, get on with the focus of what you want the end result to be. And I couldn't be happier. And I think the title represents the book and its contents remarkably well. It was not my title, although it is a lyric title from a song of mine called Disconnected. But Life's Fragile Moments really did represent all of the elements that we see in the book, all of the different collections, the flow, the feel of the book.
- [10:52]
The overview and the overall feel of it. So I think. I think it's worked really well. And, you know, so far, so good. So far, so good.
- [11:03]
Podcast Host Bryce
Well, you know, it's going to make a great Christmas gift, certainly for.
- [11:08]
Julian Lennon
If you say so. If you say so. I didn't say that. I definitely say that.
- [11:15]
Podcast Host Bryce
And for me, it's going to make a great one to give to my wife, who happens to be a photographer and is a amazing fan of your work.
- [11:27]
Julian Lennon
Oh, thank you kindly. That's lovely to hear. That's lovely to hear. Funnily enough, I'm always surprised to hear that. It's a weird thing. I've always related that to music, obviously in the past, that people like what you do, but then hearing it about your photography is. I mean, it's the most pleasant thing I could ever hear, believe you me. But again, I've worked hard at this and I. I think there's some good stuff in there. I'm very proud, very proud.
- [12:02]
Podcast Host Bryce
I want to come back to photography, but I do want to talk about you being, throughout your career, sort of a master of multiple wonderful pieces of work, whether it be your film, whether it be music, whether it be the children's book aspect of things. Did you get this diverse set of interests early on in life?
- [12:28]
Julian Lennon
I've always been interested. I've always been a bit scatterbrained as well.
- [12:35]
I mean, they call it ADHD these days or whatever. Adhd. I'm all over the place all the time. But, yeah, I've always found.
- [12:47]
If I can't find a way forward with one thing or I need a temporary break from it to breathe, then I can't just sit around on a beach twiddling my thumbs. I have to find something else to do. You know, photography became a major player in that way. Yeah, it's whenever I found myself at a loose end or I need a diversionary tactic just so I can come back to things. And I think the same thing with. Also.
- [13:25]
Works with writing books, and the same thing works with putting collections together or even editing documentary films. It's that same kind of thing. And I've always enjoyed doing multiple things. I think I'd lose my mind if I just stayed the one course. And the fact of the matter is, even though I took, you know, very large breaks in between a number of albums in the past to actually live and breathe again, you know, I did over 30 years of my life doing music, and I thought, you know, to have an opportunity to work on another medium that interests me, that I can still be creative with. And also the reality being for the first time ever, I could be behind the lens was something that I really, really enjoyed because I, you know, I. I can do the in front of the camera stuff, but it's not my favorite thing to do. It really isn't. And I, I'm. I'm much, much happier behind the behind the camera lens and behind the scenes. You know, I don't mind coming out and saying, lifting the rock up and waving every once in a while, but that's personally, as far as my level of happiness in life or contentment, that's where I prefer to be. So I'm still working, I'm still doing all of these jobs, wearing all of these hats, but just in a different way than I did before and more focused on the work and the creativity rather than what's expected from the outside, you know.
- [15:11]
Podcast Host Bryce
So you kind of were reading my mind for my next question. A perfect day for you, in terms of happiness, it sounds like just being incredibly busy and working on multiple things is a perfect day. Is that correct?
- [15:27]
Julian Lennon
Pretty much. So, yeah. On the creative front, yeah, I do find, and I have to say this, and I, you know, I have an incredible manager, Rebecca, who I work with these days. She's. It's more of a partnership. You know, we discuss everything beforehand, but more often than not, you know, you can tend to have to deal with a lot of admin with many, many art forms. I'm not one also to just say no, you go and take care of that. You know, as a manager or otherwise. I have to Be part of the process all the way down the line. Unfortunately, the admin can bog you down sometimes. I mean, there's been days before Rebecca came along where I was micromanaging myself. I'd literally wake up in the morning and there'd be a hundred emails at my desk. And as I'm working through that, I'd finished the first 30 and want to go and get a cup of tea or a cup of coffee. And by the time I come back, there's another 30 to 50 emails. And it became this endless insane cycle of where's the creativity? Where's the main focus of what this is all about? For me, that's been crucial for me to keep an eye on that and an eye on the balance of keeping that where it should be, keeping the still doing it, but keeping it at bay because it's been so admin orientated over the last few years with exhibitions and books and I mean, the creative elements of that have been exciting, but exhausting too. But I really want to look to the future, especially, you know, beginning with next year, really, and think about what I want to create and where I want to go and what I want to do, you know, get back to that again, because without that element of it, there's nothing, you know, and to me, that's everything. The creative aspect and the great thing and the fortunate thing I guess, that I can throw at you at this point in regards to all of this stuff is that, and I'm very fortunate in this regard is that most of the projects that have come along, again, doesn't matter what medium, have all been organic, you know, and all been all felt right at the right time. I've only ever followed through on what my gut tells me these days and what my heart tells me. You know, too many times I've been led astray and taken down the wrong road and I just, it's, it's, it's, it's not worth it, it's really not worth it to be unhappy at the end of the day or, or have too many regrets, you know, and I, you know, I feel privileged being an artist as such in all these mediums and, and again, fortunate that I'm able to do so many things and that in, in of itself is inspiring.
- [18:46]
Podcast Host Bryce
So, creative blocks. I'm sure when you hit a creative block, you probably go get a cup of tea, go, go, go get a cup of coffee, whatever. But since this podcast is called Taking a Walk, do you take a walk to yourself?
- [19:00]
Julian Lennon
That's, that's what I Do that. That's exactly what I do. Yeah, I've also, you know, I, I dealt with my fair amount of depression in my time too. And I still deal with a fair amount of anxiety on occasion where I do feel ultimately overwhelmed by, you know, I almost, almost have that sense of agoraphobia where I can't really leave the house. I don't feel like I can leave the house. And the one thing I know I should do when I feel like that is leave the house. So even that, even if that's to go and get, you know, some milk or some bread or get a newspaper or. But you know, I also, I was never really one. Yeah, I was never a gym guy. I never liked the.
- [19:50]
No, thanks. Yeah, I think to be honest, if you're active in your life anyway, if you move a lot anyway, that's enough for me. You know, I lift and carry heavy stuff around all the time, but the walking aspect of it has absolutely become a priority for me. A lot of that can be weather dependent, especially if there's not a good spell of weather for a week or two. You can get a bit down on yourself for that. But again, the moment I feel that anxiety come on, I go, I've got to get out, I've got to walk. And whether that's in the mountains. Yeah, I normally I would have to take like a 10 minute drive just to get to a location that is beautiful to walk. So that would be up in the mountains or down by the sea, walking along some peninsula and also without question, taking the camera along with me, you know, because, you know, you just never, never know when you're going to be inspired one way or the other. So, yeah, at minimum three times a week for a good while, you know, and generally a power walk. But I'm always inspired when I do that and I always am able to breathe and feel free and alive and in the moment again, to be able to go back in and go right where we at, you know, and get stuck in again.
- [21:23]
Podcast Host Bryce
I love the teachings of the late Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who is so wonderful. And he talks about it in terms of savoring the moment really. And I think taking that walk allows you to savor a moment as well, don't you think?
- [21:45]
Julian Lennon
I think it's probably the only time in the day bar actually waking up before you go to bed and your mind, you know, reels, you know, about life and your day. I think the walking element is really where you are present, completely present. And again, for me I have to, I would have to say it's not dissimilar to how I started when I started taking photographs, which is back in the old days with long haul flights, know, to America and back in Asia. You know, in the, in, in the old days, you know, you only had one movie on a projector on the middle of the plane. Once that was over, you're done. We didn't have anything to games and things to play with. We didn't have, you know, 50 other films to watch or do. Most people would go to sleep, but I could never fall asleep on the plane. And I would always stare out the window at the clouds, whether that was at night or the sunsets or sunrises. And I'd always be. I started taking photographs of the clouds because I thought these are fleeting moments, these last for a second. They will never be the same again. It's just like our lives. So, so it taught me to be present in the moment and appreciate what was going on at any given point in time. But it also allowed, I think, and the same for me is true of walking, is that it's a moment where you can do one of two things. You can either empty your mind, blow all the cobwebs out, not think about anything, breathe it all in and just look at the scenery around you and appreciate it, or it gives you an opportunity away from everything else to clearly think about what, what you're doing, what, what, you know, your pros and your cons in life, how are you moving, you know, how are you moving forward, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So I, and I think you can achieve both. You know, you can actually go in with a head full of questions and at the end of it come away, you know, with, with a balance and being able to breathe without that stress. I think it without question, is a major stress reliever, you know, and I throw a lot of stress on my shoulders, I really do, because I want the work that I'm doing to be the best that it can be. So I'm always, you know, on myself. So that walking, those walking moments are very, very special. Have become part of the most important thing of my day, really, because it allows me to do everything else.
- [24:40]
Podcast Host Bryce
So I want to talk musical influences if I can. And obviously the Beatles are a major influence in your life. Do you have particular albums or periods of the Beatles or songs that are most important to you in general?
- [24:59]
Julian Lennon
No, not as such. I mean.
- [25:04]
There'S a few artists, I mean, yeah, occasionally I'll catch Beatles stuff you know, on the radio, I mean, because they're still playing it all the bloody time. But, you know, I have a few key artists that I love and I've mentioned these guys many times. You know, it's, you know, it's like Keith Jarrett, the Clone Concert, Steely Dan. Pick an album on its side, you know, that I will always go back to and listen to, you know, if, if, if they come to mind. But in general, I have to say that.
- [25:43]
On a listening front, especially when I'm working here in front of the computer and more often than not editing collections of photographs and putting things together, I'll have. I'll have the radio on. And I do have a particular favorite. I don't know whether I should mention it or not, but.
- [26:05]
You know, you can edit it out, but absolutely not, I won't. Well.
- [26:12]
I'm a particular fan and have been for 10 years plus now since I learned of the station. It's called the KCRW Eclectic 24. And I always have it on in the background because it always has independent new up and coming artists, but generally artists that are really creative, really melodic, really unique and stuff you just don't get to hear on regular radio these days. You know, you're either still dealing with the same kind of top 20, top 40 scenario or you're not hearing any other new, interesting music unless it's a particular station for 70s rock and roll or you name it. So at least that station gives me a wide variety of new artists that come through that. It's generally how I learn of new musicians, new singers, new artists that I become a fan of. And once I hear that and use the app to figure out who it is, and then I'll go and find their album and I'll put that on a plate. I'm one of those guys that once you find a good album, that it'll be on repeat for the next three months until I really. I've had enough, you know, But I'll still always be a fan. But yeah, I've got a couple of key favorites like that.
- [27:44]
Podcast Host Bryce
I think you're the only person I've ever spoken to who can say there's a range of music that they like, spans Keith Jarrett to acdc.
- [27:56]
Julian Lennon
Why not listen? Why? You know, as you can imagine, I think that a lot of artists and a lot of people get pigeonholed all the time. And I've always hated that concept of pigeonholing. I don't understand it. I don't see the logic behind it. You know, for Me, art is art, photography is photography, music is music. It doesn't matter what genre or where it comes from. If it gets you feeling at all, whether that's energized or whether that's emotional or whether that's deep thinking or. I think everything should be available to you. That's why, again, that I wear many hats. 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. And certainly that's what I've done. And that's why I love every kind of genre of music, but there's not much I don't like.
- [29:09]
I think a lot of kids in their early teens, especially from my era, certainly loved, you know, some serious rock and roll, whether it's, you know, a heavy metal to a degree as well. But, you know, the Ozzy Osbournes, the, the list goes on. But ACDC were the first band that I ever saw live at the age of 16. And that was where, when.
- [29:36]
Bon Scott was singing back in the day and Angus was on his shoulders, that, that was, that was a memorable time. You.
- [29:45]
They'Re still going strong today. It just shows you that, you know, the good stuff sticks around, you know.
- [29:52]
Chase Sapphire Reserve Sponsor
Yeah, I love it.
- [29:54]
Podcast Host Bryce
I first met you in 1984 when Volat came out, and you, you came.
- [30:01]
Julian Lennon
To a another lifetime.
- [30:03]
Podcast Host Bryce
It was a lifetime for me as well, but I was so just impressed with you on how in control of the situation you were, with all the, you know, pressure. You had to be your own person. And obviously then coming into the limelight, how did you make it look so easy?
- [30:27]
Julian Lennon
I, I, I don't know about that. Well, number one, I think I was so shy for the most part, that I kept pretty quiet and pretty much to myself. I, I think, and I've mentioned this a number of times before, that, you know, I had to look to the only person who really I respect and loved throughout my life, which was my mother, Cynthia, you know, and I watched her go through what she had to go through in the public eye with such grace and such poise and elegance. 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. Yeah, I know that sounds like a hair commercial these days.
- [31:23]
But I think you understand what I mean. It's just.
- [31:28]
What other way out is there? You either deal with things gracefully and move forward or it becomes a negative and it becomes distractive and it becomes and then why are you there in the first place? So, you know, it was just a question of learn as you go along, try and hold it, hold it all together and just do the best job you can. And that's all I've ever tried to do, really. You know, I think a lot of the problems in retrospect that happened, you know, was the industry itself. That's why I got out of it so many times. Because sure, the creativity, the work, the recording and live performance 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. And I have to say that.
- [32:26]
There were few and far between good people in the industry and that's just being absolutely honest. You know, there's always a good few, you know, but the the hard to find someone who is true to themselves and to to everybody else.
- [32:45]
Buzz Knight
We'll be right back with more of the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [32:50]
Chase Sapphire Reserve Sponsor
This episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. Travel is one of the most precious things in my life, and the memories of each of the experiences live on forever. Chase Sapphire Reserve allows me to travel with ease with a $300 travel credit and access to a curated collection of hotels through the edit. So no matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding. When with Chase Sapphire Reserve Discover more with Chase sapphire reserve@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [33:42]
Sophie Cunningham
This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snore loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, A medicine company.
- [34:21]
Liberty Mutual Narrator
Limu Game OO and Doug Here we have the Limu emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.
- [34:38]
Julian Lennon
Uh, Limu is that guy with the.
- [34:40]
Ed Helms
Binoculars watching us cut the camera they.
- [34:42]
Liberty Mutual Narrator
See us Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Fairy Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts.
- [34:51]
Podcast Advertiser
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- [35:32]
Ed Helms
Hey everyone.
- [35:33]
Julian Lennon
Ed Helms here and hi, I'm Kal.
- [35:36]
Podcast Host Bryce
Penn and we're the hosts of Irsay.
- [35:39]
Julian Lennon
The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.
- [35:42]
Ed Helms
This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Jenny Garth, host of the iHeart podcast. I choose me to discuss the new Audible adaptation of the timeless Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. This is not a trick question. There's no wrong answer. What role would I play?
- [36:03]
Podcast Host Bryce
You know what?
- [36:04]
Julian Lennon
I can see you as Mr. Darcy.
- [36:06]
Sophie Cunningham
You got a little Colin first.
- [36:08]
Ed Helms
Okay, that's really sweet, I appreciate that. But are you sure I'm not the dad? I'm not Mr. Bennett here.
- [36:18]
Listen to earsay the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.
- [36:31]
Buzz Knight
Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [36:35]
Podcast Host Bryce
Well, you had a couple people though, who were your core background, if you will, your core foundation back then. One is your, your lifelong friend Justin. Right, Justin Slayton. And then also for that work in 84, Phil Ramone. Can you talk about both of them? I mean, obviously you still work and collaborate with Justin, but talk about what those two lads meant to you then and mean to you now.
- [37:08]
Julian Lennon
Well, I mean, Justin and I met when we were 11 years old, so we go way back. I mean, we're literally in touch every other day. Because, you know, just briefly, the last album, Jude, was made up of songs from 30 years ago and, and relatively new songs and we'd been working for five years trying to make those older songs sound new.
- [37:34]
Podcast Host Bryce
By the way, Julian, I think, I think, I think that that album deserves more recognition by the public. I think it's fantastic.
- [37:44]
Julian Lennon
Thank you. I just don't think enough people have got to hear it. And again, I, you know, I don't want to say that's the label's fault, but I did everything I could to get it out there, that's for sure. But, yeah, Justin and I are still working. We still have boxes of old tracks that we. I mean, I said I'd never do another album last time, but I think really this last album, Jude, was the last. But that doesn't mean I'm stopping by any means. I mean, I'm planning to release like a three to five song EP of stuff that we're working on right now that I would say is more in tune with a little more indie, a little more Pretenders meets xtc. So I'm looking to have a little bit of fun. The tracks are there already, so it's just about finessing and cleaning them up a bit. But Justin and I, you know, I think all friends and family members go through their ups and downs. And I'm not going to say it was always roses with everybody. I mean, anybody and everybody in life, that happens. But we're still hanging in there. 40 years later, 50 years later. Oh, don't even get me counting. And I'm happy for that. I'm happy that we're still. He really is my oldest friend and I trust him musically. He's a great producer, he's a great engineer, a great singer, a great writer and performer. Phil, of course, meant the world to me when Atlantic back in the day asked me who I'd love to produce the first album and I said, Phil Ramone, due to Billy Joel's Nylon Curtain album, which. There was some Beatlesque elements to that, but there was a quality in his writing and the production that I just fell in love with. And then I just remember receiving a phone call from Phil Ramone about working together, which I was shocked. I was still a naive young kid at that point in time. Again, we've all had our demons in the past and Phil certainly had a fair amount of those too. One of the things that saddens me the most was the fact that his dear wife Karen had lupus. And I became the US Ambassador for the Lupus foundation of America because my dear friend Lucy, who was the Lucy in the sky with Diamonds, died of lupus. And at the last event that I was at for the Lupus foundation of America in New York, I didn't know Phil's wife Karen had lupus and she was there and he was there. And it had been the first time I Had seen him in years. I'd run into him before, and the relationship was a bit cold. But we saw each other at this gala event in New York, and it was like falling in love again. Because we got on so well and we missed each other so much that we talked about, you know, getting back in the studio together. I was longing for that. And then, of course, it wasn't long after that that he sadly passed, which was a real, real shocker to me because I felt like it was a book that was never finished. The pages had closed on us too soon, which was a real shame because I felt we had more to do together.
- [41:32]
Podcast Host Bryce
I want to talk about the White Feather foundation and your great work there. And so would you. First, would you tell the amazing story about the White Feather, about what your dad said to you and then how you came upon the white Feather ultimately?
- [41:51]
Julian Lennon
Yeah, yeah, I'll tell that in reverse order, but yeah. So I was in Australia. I had the number one song at the time called Saltwater, which was an environmental song, which did very well around the world, except America, but that's another story. Anyway, I was in Adelaide. We were on a promo tour, but playing live shows, too. And I was approached in the hotel by an indigenous group called the Mourning People. And they wanted to see me down in the lobby. I thought, what's this about? I thought it was a joke at first. I thought it was a prank. The management said, no, no, Mr. Leonard, there's an Aboriginal group down here with some TV crews and a number of people, and they really would like to see you. And I said, all right, well, I don't know what this is about, but I'll go down. And the elevator opens and there's this. Took one step up onto this sort of platform and all these people. I'm going, oh, what is this about? And the elder, who was this woman called Iris, she was the elder of the tribe, she walks up to me, and it's on camera, it's on film. And she presents me with a white feather. It's a male swan's white feather. It's about 15 inches long, something like that. And she said to me, you know, can you help us? You have a voice or you have a voice, can you help us? And it was that point in time that I thought, well, or do I continue being a rock and roller, or do I step up to the plate? The real thing about this and the real reason I got. I did step up to the plate and that I got goosebumps at this moment in time. Was the fact that dad had said to me, and I couldn't tell you where or when or what time it was. It just wasn't one of those things. But it was clear as day that he said to me, listen, if something happens to me to let you know that I'm going to be okay or that we're all going to be okay, it's going to be. It'll 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. I'm not a religious guy, but spiritual, yes. So from that, you know, I went away and thought about the situation, and I learned about the plight of that particular indigenous tribe. And then the indigenous tribes all across the globe, I mean, like 80 different tribes, and I made a documentary about them called Whale dreamers. It took 10 years. We weren't supported. We didn't have sponsors, but we won about eight international independent film awards. And I thought, you know, if this film does any good or makes some money, you know, I want the money to go back to the indigenous tribes so that they can keep hold of their culture and buy back their lands that they've been kicked off of, et cetera, et cetera. And the only way I could do that back in those days was to actually do it through a foundation. Hence, the White Feather foundation was born. So the moment the Internet came about, I set up a web page to sell the film and, you know, on videotape and DVDs, eventually. And all of a sudden, you know, I start getting these emails saying, well, can you help us and can you help us? And I'm going, whoa, hold on. I said, listen, you know, I'm not really a foundation. This is a vehicle for the film, if the film makes money, to help the indigenous. But then after so many, I started thinking, well, again, I. I've got a platform here. I should use it to help those who have no voice, basically. And so I decided that the White Feather foundation should be something. It should be more than just that. And that's when I decided to follow through on subjects that affected me the most. Number one was indigenous causes around the world. Number two, clean water. I don't care how many charities there are claiming to do or doing clean water. Everybody deserves to have clean water. So we help where we can. We work with NGOs around the world doing whatever we can, all based on donations by the public, by the way. So it's thanks to my fans and people out there that see what we're doing. Who. Who donate 50 cents, a dollar, every penny makes a difference. The other things have been health clinics and schools. So health and education is another one of our causes.
- [47:15]
I always tend to believe that we're not a big foundation. We never went that route. I never wanted to do that.
- [47:25]
But what I do feel that we do is that a lot of causes, a lot of people get.
- [47:33]
Lost between the cracks. What the White Feather foundation tries to do is catch those causes and again, help those people without a voice. Again, thanks to our audience that we get things done. When mom passed away, I decided to do a scholarship in her name, the Cynthia Lena Scholarship for girls, where we put young girls from Africa and around the world, in fact, but predominantly in Africa, through college and university. Many of them that I spoke to want to go back to their little towns and protect. Be lawyers, to help protect their families and their friends from the villages that they came from. You know, so it's a nice circle that. How that operates. But, yeah, so it's always been a very important thing. And the only other thing I'll say about it is that whatever hat I'm wearing, if I'm making any money, then a proportion of whatever I make, whether it's the book sales, whether it's the documentary, whether it's the music or the children's books, proportion of the money that I make certainly goes to the White Feather foundation to keep it ticking along so I can pay everybody that works there, you know. You know, but that's. That's. That. That's how we. That's how we roll. And again, thanks for the donations, because without people, we, you know, we wouldn't exist.
- [49:06]
Podcast Host Bryce
Bravo, Bravo. So you mentioned, though, spirituality back there, and I produce this other podcast. It's called Music Saved Me. It's about the healing power of music. Bryce, do you personally believe music has healing powers?
- [49:27]
Julian Lennon
Yeah, without question. Without question. I can't be precise in how it does that, but certainly with certain sounds, moods, tones, elevations, arrangements, styles, you can certainly be lifted out of the doldrums. You can certainly become more introspective and be able to work on yourself through that mode as well. Yeah, I mean, music.
- [50:01]
It'S not my go to on a personal level, but certainly there'll be moments where I just decide that I want to sit down and I'll say, you know, I'll just open the windows and open the doors and play a bit of music. And that, again, will allow me what I will now call a cloud moment, which is where you find those moments of peace and think about nothing or you think about everything, you know. And I think just having that connection alone allows you to move forward and be motivated and make some important decisions in life. So yeah, definitely music affects your rhythm, your soul, your heart, your mind. Absolutely without question.
- [50:51]
Podcast Host Bryce
Can you take me back to your first experiences with a camera?
- [50:57]
Julian Lennon
The first I recall it's a bit difficult to say but because I just remember as a kid that pretty much every family on the planet, whether they had a real camera or whether they had one of those throwaway cameras that you used to buy at the pharmacy or the airport, you know, and you take it back the next day and they'd, they, they print it out for you, you know, those, you know, those, those were take. For taking a snap of a moment in time. They weren't, you know, you weren't focusing, you weren't dealing with any of the technical aspects of it. Yeah, I remember used to that I used to have one of those or mum used to have or we shared the camera. I think the first time a camera became relevant tool was probably visiting dad in, I think it was in New York. I know that there were cameras around and I know that also when he had his lost weekend with May Pang that you know, she was a photographer. So there were cameras around. But I think the one thing, and it's funny I was talking about this before, the one thing that excited me the most was a camera that dad had called the Polaroid SX70 land camera, which is the one I have here. The reason I was intrigued about this because I was fascinated by its look and its feel and how it unfolded and from a flat block became this really quite unique camera. And I loved the fact that you didn't have to do any developing and you see. So I fell in love with this camera and played around with it a lot. I have many, many filed away pictures. A lot of black and white, high contrast, but color stuff too. But then that kind of fell to the wayside and I was far more involved in music again. Da da da da da. But I think the true interest in photography came back for me. Although I did try working with film and camera but I was a bit clumsy on that front. And although I have great patience for some things, I have little for others. So fiddling around with film and trying to get that right. Oh no. And blowing, you know, losing the pictures and the. So when digital came along, digital cameras, I went, there you go, there we go. That's for me, that's When I fell in love with taking pictures again and the fact that it was that instant gratification of knowing that you'd got something pretty much straight away. And then my job, my challenge to myself was how do I make digital pictures look like they're film? That was something that I worked on for a number of years in trying to finesse digital photography to look like real film. How the realization of what I was doing was the right thing came along was I was part of a Brit pop exhibition in Amsterdam of a number of British photographers. And I was cornered by this fine art critic from America, this older lady, and she'd cornered me for some time and I, and I couldn't get out of the conversation. I was a bit shy. Anyway, at the end of it she said to me, so tell me, do you work with film or digital? And I went, you tell me. I realized at that point in time that I'd done it, that I'd risen to that challenge. And so from that point on I just try to do better and better and better and better.
- [54:59]
Every time I'm doing something, photography work from now on is trying to finesse it that much more, that much more relatable, that much more focused. And again, doing the photography book and the exhibition really was a learning curve on how to be more focused and more precious about the work that you're delivering. How can you tell the Same story of 50 images in 5 images? Know that kind of thing. It really helped me hone my craft more than before having done the book and the exhibition. So that was, that was a, a win, win for me, all that hard work. There was a. I learned a lot from that.
- [55:46]
Podcast Host Bryce
Do you have a go to camera for those quick walks that you can, you know, just sort of have with you just in.
- [55:53]
Julian Lennon
I hate to say it, I hate to say it. You know, even well known photographers that I know that love their cameras admit that sometimes you just take a shot on your phone and the quality these days is almost, not quite, but almost as equal to a good camera. You know, you don't quite have the lens quality or quite the.
- [56:24]
Depth of field and many a few other things, but certainly you can nab some pretty darn good shots on your phone. And obviously the ease of just having it in your pocket, it just makes life a lot easier, I'm afraid to say. You know, I mean, they're so far ahead now that people are doing movies on their phones. You know, it's crazy, but leaps and bounds, certainly things have come along leaps and bounds, but I still have a couple of go to cameras that I. And I've said this before, you know, well, what's your favorite camera? Well, listen, it's not really the camera at the end of the day. It's not the hardware. It's what you see and what you get out of what you're trying to relate emotively and what the story is and the message. So the camera doesn't really matter at the end of the day, but certain cameras do certain things a little better than other cameras. But at the moment. And I've always been a fan of Leicas, you know, because they are classic cameras. I've done exhibitions around the world with these guys. I think I'm up to. With. With Venice, I'm up to exhibition 42 in the last 10 years or whatever. So I've been working.
- [57:44]
My favorite Chuck it in my bag camera is, I have to say, is the Leica Q3 at the moment, which you can use on auto or manual. So it gives you the best of both worlds. And, you know, the work, the quality is beautiful. You know, the pictures are gorgeous.
- [58:03]
Podcast Host Bryce
Who are some photographers you admire?
- [58:06]
Julian Lennon
That's a difficult one because a lot of names I don't remember. I know that sounds terrible, but if I was to give you one, just one guy, that has been a mainstay for me. Obviously there's Timothy White because he got me into this mess in the first place. Although, you know, his photography is more celebrity orientated and more fashion and celebrity and film orientated, he's still a tremendous, tremendous photographer. But, you know, my kind of cup of tea, dare I say, would be the likes of Elliot Erwit, Ansel Adams, you know, the classics. I mean, there's some other great, great stuff out there. But I, you know, whenever I'm asked who's. What's your favorite? Who's your favorite? My mind goes blank. It's one of those, what can I say? It just, you know, useless. I'm bloody useless.
- [59:08]
Podcast Host Bryce
I don't think so. So I know you're pals with the boys and U2 and they had that run at that place in Las Vegas called the Sphere.
- [59:21]
Julian Lennon
Yeah, yeah, I was there.
- [59:22]
Podcast Host Bryce
Yeah, yeah, you were there. So what's your impression of that experience?
- [59:27]
Julian Lennon
It's a bit of a weird one, I have to say, because your attention is certainly drawn to the visuals. Cause you're seeing little people that look like ants running around on this little stage down below. But you're taken in by the actual visuals of the experience. On one hand, I'M not sure what to make of it, and I'm not sure that is it worth having a live band there, because I think the reality is, obviously you're listening to the experience, but it's more of a visual experience, too, from at least my perspective and my, you know, I just wanted to see this wraparound 3D or, you know, this almost 360 degree screen, you know, where you're being drawn into this otherworldly experience. And yeah, it was nice having the band there, but I don't want to say they were insignificant because that would be totally and wholly incorrect. But it was, for me, predominantly a visual draw at the end of the day than a live band draw. You know, you could, for me, you could have just played the music from their albums and put the visuals on and it would have been no disrespect, but it would have been just as exciting in many respects. Not that there weren't a few moments, certainly with the live situation, but again, I think it was. This is very early days with this kind of setup and this technology, and I think it'll only get better and improve even more as they hone down what it actually means to do a show like that there. I know that they're building smaller versions of the sphere, which may be more helpful for the band, so that there's still that relative relationship between the live music and the audience and, you know, the expanse of some of the visuals. But with the spear, it's kind of ott, you know, it's mesmerizing. And I just think the live band scenario gets a little lost. But still. Still a bit jaw dropping, you know, But I, you know, with. With the, With a band like you too, they've always been at the forefront of unique stage presentation. So in many respects, I expected nothing less, you know, like, what did you think I said? Well, I expected nothing less. That's what I expected. Yeah. Yeah, I was blown away. But, you know, I. It was, yeah, I kind of expected it, which is a weird thing to say, but that's how I feel, you know.
- [62:19]
Podcast Host Bryce
Well, congratulations on life's fragile moments, which is going to make a great, I would say, stocking stuffer, but it's a little bit big.
- [62:30]
But it could be a stocking stuffer. It'll look nicely under. Under the tree. And congratulations. Congratulations on it. And I have to just tell you, when. When I think of how grateful I am doing this podcast, this is one of those moments where I'm doubly grateful for doing this podcast for an opportunity to speak with you. Julian. I appreciate everything about you and that you continue to give us. I'm so grateful and thank you for being on the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [63:07]
Julian Lennon
Thank you Buz. It's been my absolute pleasure and I hope to see you sooner than later. Maybe on a walk one day.
- [63:15]
Podcast Host Bryce
I'd love it.
- [63:17]
Buzz Knight
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.
- [63:36]
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- [64:30]
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- [66:04]
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Ed Helms
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- [66:20]
I
What a matchup we got y'.
- [66:22]
Julian Lennon
All.
- [66:22]
I
This is that classic HBCU vibe. Non stop action. The band is rocking and the crowd lit Chance echo drum beat everybody showing that school pride. Game like this. Yeah, it calls for an ice cold Coca Cola. Ah, crisp and refreshing. That's a game changer right right there.
- [66:42]
Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work so grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
- [67:06]
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