Julian Lennon, son of a famous father, talks with Bill Maher about being compared to his dad, his name change, living in Monaco, the perils of celebrity relationships, why comedians don't get mobbed by fans, Julian's reasons for stopping drinking, and his plans for a memoir.
Julian Lennon discusses the challenges of fame and the pressure that comes with it.
Julian opens up about his struggles with depression and agoraphobia and how he has coped with them.
Julian expresses a desire to embrace his heritage and collaborate with his brother to create music with a Beatlesque sound.
Julian reflects on the challenges solo artists face and the energy that comes from performing live with a band.
Deep dives
The Experience of Fame and the Pressure to Perform
Julian Lennon shares his experiences of fame and the pressure that comes with it. He recounts instances of being mobbed by fans and feeling overwhelmed. He also discusses his preference for being part of a band rather than being a solo artist.
Dealing with Depression and Agoraphobia
Julian opens up about his struggles with depression and agoraphobia. He discusses the challenges he has faced, the support he has sought, and the strategies he has used to cope with these mental health issues.
Embracing Heritage and Sound
Julian talks about his desire to embrace his heritage and the Beatles' sound. He acknowledges the influence and legacy of the Beatles and expresses a desire to collaborate with his brother, Sean, to create music with a distinctive Beatlesque sound.
Reflections on the Music Industry and Live Performances
Julian shares his thoughts on the music industry and live performances. He discusses the challenges solo artists face and expresses his preference for being part of a band. He also reflects on the energy and connection that comes from performing live.
Discussion about memories and recollection
The podcast episode explores the speaker's difficulty remembering their own songs and lyrics, as well as their lack of recollection of certain periods of their life. They mention how others often remember their life better than they do, causing them to gather anecdotes from friends and musicians to help jog their memory. The speaker also discusses their upcoming book and animated movie project.
Reflections on the impact of a famous song
The podcast episode delves into a conversation about a famous song, highlighting the emotions and personal significance behind it. The speaker expresses ambivalence towards the song, acknowledging its positive aspects but also revealing its darker undertones and connection to a difficult period in their life. They emphasize the yin and yang of the song's meaning and how it resonates with personal experiences.
Personal anecdotes and reflections on music history
Throughout the podcast episode, the speaker shares personal anecdotes and insights into music history. They recall writing a book review for the New York Times about a Beatles-focused book, discussing revelations they had learned about the band's history, such as the dentist who introduced them to acid and Yoko Ono's letters to John Lennon. The conversation also touches on Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and experiences from the speaker's childhood and family interactions.
Bill Maher and Julian Lennon on: Julian being compared to his famous father, the Peter Jackson documentary and George Harrison, Julian’s complicated relationship with his father, Julian’s recent name change, the awesome benefits of living in Monaco, the peril of celebrity relationships, why comedians don’t get mobbed by fans, the lone wolf nature of being a comedian, Julian’s reason for stopping drinking, and Julian’s plans for a memoir.
