Eleven years after what he thought might be his final album, and two years after the world changed forever, Julian Lennon returned to music this year in what he says is the most realized version of himself.
When Julian released his first solo album in 1984, he stepped firmly into his father's shadow. By the early-2010s, he wanted to branch out in his life and "prove" to himself that he could build something successful outside of the music industry.
Speaking with Q104.3 New York's Out of the Box with Jonathan Clarke, Julian says his hiatus allowed him to return to music a more well-rounded person and a more focused artist. His new album, Jude, brings together ideas from throughout Julian's career.
"The title is a coming of age in many respects and just saying, 'I am Jude right now.' You know I've really taken on that role," Julian says. "My name was originally John Charles Julian Lennon, and I changed it in 2020 to Julian Charles John Lennon. ...I always wanted to be me, and I never was [with the first name John]."
Outside of music, Julian says it was a lifelong burden presenting documents in his everyday life that said 'John Lennon' on them. Changing his name legally lifted a weight from his shoulders, he says.
"It was about owning it ... I think we've reached a point now where I'm Jude, where are we going from here?" he adds. "And for me the only way is up, it's hopeful, it's forward and I'm trying to take people on the same journey in that respect."
Watch the full conversation via the player above.
Photo: ROBERT ASCROFT
Listen to Julian's song "Lucky Ones" via the player below: