When Did John Lennon Find His Way Back to Himself?

When one ponders the intriguing question, 'When did John Lennon start to re-discover himself?', the answer often travels to a specific date that marks a turning point in his life: October 9, 1975. This transformation was not merely a solitary event, but rather a journey marked by personal milestones, creative renaissance, and the arrival of his youngest son, Sean Taro Ono Lennon.

From Stints to Struggles

John Lennon's path to re-discovery was not a linear one. The 1960s saw a challenging period in his life, where his reputation and personal life were often intertwined. His comments about Jesus in 1966, reflecting a growing disillusionment with the countercultural celebrity status he had achieved, stand as a significant moment of reflection for the Beatle. However, the true journey towards re-discovery began when he welcomed Sean into his life and finally found his footing in parenthood.

The Early Years: A Distracted Father

Growing up in the conservative 1950s-era, John Lennon was not deeply involved with his son Julian when he was young. The 1960s witnessed a shift where John, now a 22-year-old with a flourishing career, still struggled to balance fame, fortune, and fatherhood. During the 1960s, Julian was largely left to the care of his mother, Cynthia Powell, and Aunt Mimi, with John visiting occasionally. Despite the occasional reconnect through May Pang, the bond between father and son remained strained, with Julian often resenting his father's absences and neglect.

The Turning Point and Rebirth

By 1975, John Lennon was at a new phase in his life. He had overcome the Beatle days, and his solo career was in full swing with a number one hit and a series of significant career achievements. 'ROCK N ROLL', a covers album that celebrated his musical roots, marked a return to his early influences. Additionally, he secured a release from all contracts with EMI, Apple, and other major recording companies, paving the way for creative freedom. The U.S. government's attempts to deport him had also ceased, and he had reconciled with his wife, Yoko Ono, during her Thanksgiving 1974 performance at Madison Square Garden with Elton John. It was in this context that John's world took a new turn with the birth of Sean Lennon on October 9, 1975.

Handing Over the Fatherhood

With Sean's arrival, John Lennon embarked on a new chapter, where he embraced the role of a devoted father. He stated, 'Then on October 9, 1975, the very day he turned 35, John received a second chance. Free of career mandates, contractual obligations, and touring schedules, he settled into the role of "house husband" and dedicated himself to baking bread and raising his new-born son.' This period, extending for the first five years of Sean's life, saw John fully immersed in fatherhood, a role he had never truly fulfilled before.

A Retrospective

In 1980, a decade into his career with new inspirations and personal growth, John Lennon reflected, 'Eventually, he had a sense that it was like he was "Starting Over." ' This quote itself is an echo of his earlier journey and a reaffirmation of the transformative power of fatherhood and personal growth.

John Lennon's return to himself was a complicated and multifaceted journey. It was marked by a deeper personal and artistic renaissance, a new found appreciation for home and family, and the trials and triumphs of parenthood. October 9, 1975, stands as a turning point when he found his way back to himself, through the love and responsibility of fatherhood.