ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A former lover of a rock legend will share her picturesque history with Asheville next month, offering a new lens for music enthusiasts into the life of one of the most enigmatic artists of the last century.
John Lennon, best known as a member of The Beatles, once spent eighteen months out of the spotlight during what has been dubbed Lennon’s “Lost Weekend.” His lover at the time, May Pang, took a number of candid photos of the musician, capturing the public figure’s private side.
Pang’s photographs will be exhibited at “The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang,” from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. from November 12 to 13 at BlackBird Frame & Art, 365 Merrimon Ave, Asheville. The event is free to attend.
Pang, who will be in attendance, is set to offer attendees the rare opportunity to purchase snippets of rock history captured from 1973 to 1975.
All “private photographs” on display will be for sale, according to event organizer Scott Segelbaum.
Pictures of particular significance on sale include a photograph of “John Lennon signing the contract to dissolve the Beatles” and “one of the last known photographs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney together from March 29, 1974,” according to Segelbaum. Neither picture has been publicly available before.
Historians note the “Lost Weekend” as one of Lennon’s most creatively successful eras. Afterwards, the artist released the albums “Mind Games” and “Walls and Bridges.” Around the same time, Lennon also collaborated with artists including Elton John, David Bowie and Mick Jagger.
Pang seems to have played a pivotal role in Lennon’s artistic renaissance and was featured in the song “#9 Dream.” Her presence is also felt in the song “Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)” which Lennon reportedly wrote about her. Pang encouraged Lennon to reconnect with his son, Julian Lennon, and former band partner Paul McCartney.
A documentary on Lennon and Pang’s relationship called “The Lost Weekend – A Love Story,” with a planned digital release soon, will bring Pang’s story and her pictures to further prominence. Pang has also written books on her experience with the rock legend.
BlackBird Frame will use the photography exhibition as a partial fundraiser for those affected by Hurricane Helene.
“We have been quite fortunate in that the entire team is alive and healthy, the building needs only minor repairs, and all the art under our roof is safe,” wrote BlackBird owner Jean Stryker in a press release. “We will be donating 5% of the sales to charity to help those in need.”