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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| 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 |
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| Traditional Chinese | 龐鳳儀 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 庞凤仪 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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May Fung Yee Pang, born on October 24, 1950, is an American author and former music professional. She is best known for working with famous musicians John Lennon and Yoko Ono. May Pang was their personal assistant and helped coordinate their music projects.
From 1973 to 1975, May Pang worked very closely with John Lennon. He later called this time his "Lost Weekend." She has written two books about her experiences: Loving John (1983) and Instamatic Karma (2008), which is a book of photographs. A documentary film about her time with Lennon, called The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, was released in 2022.
May Pang was married to music producer Tony Visconti from 1989 to 2000. They have two children together.
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 East Harlem area of New York City with her older sister and an adopted brother. Her mother owned a laundry business.
After finishing high school at Saint Michael Academy, May Pang went to New York City Community College. She wanted to be a model, but agencies told her she looked too "ethnic." Her first jobs included being a "song plugger." This meant she encouraged music artists to record songs owned by music publishers.
In 1970, she started working as a receptionist at ABKCO Records in New York. This company managed Apple Records and three former members of the Beatles: John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
In December 1970, May Pang was asked to help John Lennon and Yoko Ono with their art films, Up Your Legs Forever and Fly. She then became their secretary and helper in New York City and Britain. When the Lennons moved from London to Manhattan in 1971, she became their full-time personal assistant.
On October 9, 1971, May Pang helped organize an art exhibition for Yoko Ono in Syracuse, New York. The show was called This Is Not Here and was held at the Everson Museum. This art show happened on John Lennon's 31st birthday. A party was held at the Hotel Syracuse, and guests included Ringo Starr and music producer Phil Spector.
The "Lost Weekend" Period
In mid-1973, May Pang was working on John Lennon's album Mind Games. During this time, Lennon and Yoko Ono were having some difficulties. Yoko Ono suggested that May Pang spend more time with Lennon. Pang was hesitant because Lennon was her boss and married. However, Ono insisted and helped arrange for Pang to be Lennon's companion.
John Lennon later called the 18 months he spent with May Pang his "Lost Weekend." This name came from a movie and book with the same title.
In October 1973, Lennon and Pang traveled from New York to Los Angeles to promote Mind Games. They decided to stay in Los Angeles for a while. While there, Lennon was inspired to start two new music projects. He wanted to record an album of old rock 'n' roll songs that had inspired him. He also wanted to produce music for another artist.
In December 1973, Lennon began working with Phil Spector on the oldies album Rock 'n' Roll. The recording sessions were difficult, and Spector later took the tapes and disappeared for a time.
In March 1974, Lennon started producing Harry Nilsson's album Pussy Cats. Lennon thought it would be a good idea for the musicians to live together to make sure they arrived at the studio on time. So, Pang rented a beach house in Santa Monica for herself, Lennon, Nilsson, Ringo Starr, and Keith Moon.
During this time, May Pang encouraged John Lennon to reconnect with his family and friends. He and Paul McCartney became friends again and played music together. This was the first and only time they played together after the Beatles broke up. Pang also arranged for Julian Lennon, John's son, to visit his father. It was Julian's first visit in over two years.
Julian Lennon began to see his father more often. John Lennon bought Julian a guitar and a drum machine for Christmas in 1973. He also showed Julian some chords to encourage his interest in music. Julian later said, "Dad and I got on a great deal better then. We had a lot of fun, laughed a lot and had a great time in general when he was with May Pang. My memories of that time with Dad and May are very clear—they were the happiest time I can remember with them." A childhood photo of Julian taken by Pang is on the cover of his seventh album, Jude.
In June 1974, Lennon and Pang moved back to Manhattan. Lennon focused on recording music. They adopted two cats named Major and Minor. In the early summer, Lennon was working on his Walls and Bridges album. The couple moved into a penthouse apartment at 434 East 52nd Street.
On August 23, Lennon and Pang said they saw a UFO from their terrace. The terrace had a wide view of Queens. Lennon called May Pang to join him on the deck, and they both watched a circular object floating silently nearby. Lennon later referred to this event in his song "Nobody Told Me".
The Walls and Bridges album became very popular, reaching the top of the music charts. Lennon also had his only number-one solo song in the US during his lifetime with "Whatever Gets You thru the Night". May Pang's voice can be heard 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."
While recording Walls and Bridges, the tapes from the earlier difficult sessions with Phil Spector were found. Lennon finished his oldies album, which was named Rock 'n' Roll. May Pang received an award for her work on Walls and Bridges. She also helped coordinate the production of Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album, where she was called "Mother Superior." Pang also worked on albums for other artists like Nilsson, Starr, Elton John, and David Bowie.
In February 1975, Lennon and Pang were planning to visit Paul and Linda McCartney in New Orleans. However, the day before their trip, Lennon reconciled with Yoko Ono. After this meeting, he did not return home or call Pang. When Pang called, Ono told her Lennon was unavailable. Two days later, Lennon appeared at a dental appointment. He seemed confused, and Pang believed he had been influenced. Lennon told Pang that he had reunited with Ono and their time together was over. May Pang quietly met Lennon a few more times over the years, but their close relationship did not restart.
John Lennon later spoke about this period. Journalist Larry Kane, who knew Lennon, wrote about the "Lost Weekend" time. Lennon told Kane, "You know Larry, I may have been the happiest I've ever been... I loved this woman (Pang), I made some beautiful music..."
May Pang's Books About John Lennon
After John Lennon reunited with Yoko Ono, May Pang started working for United Artists Records and Island Records. She was a public relations manager, helping with albums by artists like Bob Marley and Robert Palmer.
May Pang published her first book, a memoir called Loving John, in 1983. It was later updated and renamed John Lennon: The Lost Weekend. The original book focused on Pang's role in Lennon's albums and recording sessions. It was later edited to focus more on their personal time together. The book also included postcards that Lennon had sent to Pang during his travels in the late 1970s. Pang says that she and Lennon remained close friends until his death.
In 2008, May Pang released a book of her photographs called Instamatic Karma. This book includes personal pictures and important historical photos. For example, it has a picture of Lennon signing the official papers that ended the Beatles' partnership. It also has one of the last known photos of Lennon and Paul McCartney together. Cynthia Lennon, John's first wife, wrote an endorsement for the book. She recognized Pang's role in helping John reconnect with his first son, Julian.
The Lost Weekend Documentary
The Tribeca Film Festival announced the premiere of The Lost Weekend: A Love Story in 2022. This 97-minute documentary is about May Pang's life and her time with John Lennon. The film was produced and directed by Eve Brandstein, Richard S. Kaufman, and Stuart Samuels. The Lost Weekend was shown in theaters around the world in April 2023. It became available for streaming and on BluRay in October 2023.
Photography Work
When the 2022 documentary was released, May Pang also published a collection of her photographs of John Lennon. These photos were made available for sale in a traveling exhibition. The exhibition was called The Lost Weekend: The Photography of May Pang.
Jewelry Design
May Pang started her own jewelry business. She designs stainless-steel feng shui jewelry.
Later Personal Life
May Pang married record producer Tony Visconti in 1989. They divorced in 2001. They have two children together.
Pang still keeps in touch with some people from her time with John 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 John Lennon's first son, Julian.
On October 9, 2006, May Pang accidentally met Yoko Ono in Iceland. This was on what would have been John Lennon's 66th birthday. Ono was in Iceland to unveil a sculpture and was staying in the same hotel as Pang.
May Pang volunteers at an animal shelter in New York called Animal Haven. She also co-hosts an Internet talk radio show called Dinner Specials with Cynthia and May Pang. She hosts it with her on-air partner Cynthia Nilson.
Images for kids
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Pang in 2002
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Pang in 1983
See also
In Spanish: May Pang para niños
