May Pang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
May Pang
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Pang in 2002
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| Born |
May Fung Yee Pang
October 24, 1950 New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Known for | Professional and personal relationship with John Lennon |
| Spouse(s) |
Tony Visconti
(m. 1989; div. 2000) |
| Partner(s) | John Lennon (1973–1975) |
| Children | 2 |
| May Pang | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 龐鳳儀 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 庞凤仪 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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May Fung Yee Pang (born October 24, 1950) is an American former music executive. She worked for famous musicians John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Her jobs included being a personal assistant and helping with music production.
In 1973, Lennon and Ono separated for a time. During this period, Pang and Lennon had a relationship that lasted over 18 months. Lennon later called this time his "Lost Weekend." Pang wrote two books about her time with Lennon. These were a memoir called Loving John (1983) and a photo book named Instamatic Karma (2008). A documentary film about their relationship, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, was made in 2022.
Pang was married to music producer Tony Visconti from 1989 to 2000. She has two children.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
May Pang was born in Manhattan, a part of New York City. Her parents were immigrants from China. She grew up in the Spanish Harlem area of New York. She lived with her older sister and an adopted brother. Her mother ran a laundry business. The family later moved to another apartment in Manhattan.
After high school, Pang went to New York City Community College. She wanted to be a model. However, agencies told her she was too "ethnic" for modeling. Her first jobs included being a "song-plugger." This meant she encouraged artists to record songs written by others.
In 1970, she started working as a receptionist. This was at ABKCO Records in New York. This office managed Apple Records and three former Beatles: Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Working with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
In December 1970, Pang was asked to help Lennon and Ono. They were working on their avant-garde film projects. These films were called Up Your Legs Forever and Fly. After this, Pang became their secretary and helper. She worked for them in New York City and Britain.
When Lennon and Ono moved to Manhattan in 1971, Pang became their permanent personal assistant. She helped organize an art exhibition for Yoko Ono. This was Ono's This Is Not Here art show. It took place in Syracuse, New York, on October 9, 1971. This date was also Lennon's 31st birthday. A party was held for him. Ringo Starr and other famous people attended.
The "Lost Weekend" Period
In mid-1973, May Pang was helping with Lennon's Mind Games album. At this time, Lennon and Yoko Ono were having some difficulties. Ono suggested that Pang spend time with Lennon. Pang was hesitant because Lennon was her boss and married. However, Ono insisted.
During the next 18 months, Lennon and Pang spent a lot of time together. Lennon later called this period his "Lost Weekend." This name came from a movie and a book.
In October 1973, Lennon and Pang went to Los Angeles. They were there to promote Mind Games. They decided to stay for a while. While in Los Angeles, Lennon got ideas for two new music projects. He wanted to record an album of old rock 'n' roll songs. He also wanted to produce music for another artist.
In December 1973, Lennon started recording the oldies album. It was called Rock 'n' Roll. He worked with producer Phil Spector.
In March 1974, Lennon began producing Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats album. Pang rented a beach house in Santa Monica. Lennon, Nilsson, Ringo Starr, and Keith Moon lived there. This helped them get to the studio on time.
Reconnecting with Family and Friends
During this time, Pang encouraged Lennon to connect with his family and friends. He and Paul McCartney became friends again. They even played music together. This was the first and only time they played together after the Beatles broke up.
Pang also helped Julian Lennon visit his father. Julian is John Lennon's first son. This was Julian's first visit in over two years. Julian started seeing his father more often. Lennon bought Julian a guitar and a drum machine for Christmas in 1973. He taught Julian some chords. Julian later said, "Dad and I got on a great deal better then." He remembered that time with his father and May Pang as "the happiest time." A childhood photo of Julian taken by Pang is on the cover of his album Jude.
Life in Manhattan and UFO Sighting
In June 1974, Lennon and Pang moved back to Manhattan. Lennon focused on recording music. They adopted two cats named Major and Minor. They moved into a penthouse apartment on 52nd Street.
On August 23, Lennon and Pang said they saw a UFO. They saw it from their terrace. Lennon called his photographer, Bob Gruen. Gruen suggested Lennon call the police. The police confirmed that other people had reported a similar sighting. Lennon later mentioned this event in his song "Nobody Told Me".
Music Success and Collaborations
Lennon's album Walls and Bridges became a number-one hit. His song "Whatever Gets You thru the Night" was his only number-one solo US single during his lifetime. You can hear Pang whispering Lennon's name on the song "#9 Dream". The song "Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)" was written about her. Julian Lennon played drums on the album's last song, "Ya Ya."
Pang received an award for her work on Walls and Bridges. She also helped with Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album. She was credited as "Mother Superior" on that album. Pang also worked on albums for other artists. These included Nilsson, Starr, Elton John, and David Bowie.
End of the "Lost Weekend"
In February 1975, Lennon and Pang were planning to buy a cottage in Montauk, New York. They were also planning to visit Paul and Linda McCartney in New Orleans. However, the day before their trip, Lennon reconciled with Yoko Ono. Ono said she had a new way to help Lennon stop smoking.
After meeting Ono, Lennon did not return home to Pang. When Pang called, Ono said Lennon was tired. Two days later, Lennon appeared at a dental appointment. He seemed confused. Lennon told Pang that he had reunited with Ono and their relationship was over. Pang quietly met Lennon a few more times over the years. However, their relationship did not start again.
May Pang's Books
After Lennon returned to Ono, Pang worked for other record companies. She was a public relations manager. She worked on albums by Bob Marley and Robert Palmer.
Pang published her memoir Loving John in 1983. It was later updated and renamed John Lennon: The Lost Weekend. The book shared details about her time working on Lennon's albums. It also focused on their relationship. The book included postcards Lennon had sent to Pang. Pang says she and Lennon remained close until his death.
Pang's book of photographs, Instamatic Karma, came out in 2008. This book has many personal photos. It also includes important historical pictures. One photo shows Lennon signing the official papers to end the Beatles' partnership. Another is one of the last known photos of Lennon and Paul McCartney together. Cynthia Lennon, John's first wife, supported the book. She recognized Pang's role in helping Lennon reconnect with his son, Julian.
The Lost Weekend Documentary
In 2022, a documentary about May Pang's life was released. It is called The Lost Weekend: A Love Story. The film is 97 minutes long. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film was produced and directed by Eve Brandstein, Richard Kaufman and Stuart Samuels. The Lost Weekend was shown in theaters in April 2023. It became available for streaming and on BluRay in October 2023.
Photography and Jewelry Design
Around the time the 2022 documentary was released, Pang also showed a collection of her photographs of Lennon. These photos were part of a traveling exhibition. It was called The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang.
May Pang also started her own jewelry business. She designs stainless-steel feng shui jewelry.
Later Life
May Pang married record producer Tony Visconti in 1989. They divorced in 2000. They have two children.
Pang still keeps in touch with some people from her time with Lennon. Paul McCartney invited her to Linda McCartney's memorial service. She was also a guest at The Concert for George in 2002. She remained close to Cynthia Lennon and Julian Lennon.
In 2006, Pang met Yoko Ono by chance in Iceland. This was on what would have been Lennon's 66th birthday. Ono was in Iceland for a sculpture unveiling. They were staying in the same hotel.
Pang still lives in New York City. She volunteers at an animal shelter called Animal Haven. She also co-hosts an Internet talk radio show. It is called Dinner Specials with Cynthia and May Pang.
See also
In Spanish: May Pang para niños
