May Pang remains one of the most compelling and often misunderstood figures in rock and roll history, fifty years after her infamous "Lost Weekend" with John Lennon. Today, in December 2025, her story is experiencing a massive resurgence, not as a footnote, but as the subject of a major documentary and a highly successful photography exhibition that is touring galleries across the United States. This renewed attention is driven by Pang's decision to finally tell her side of the story, revealing intimate, candid, and often surprising details about the 18 months she spent as Lennon's companion.
The conversation around Pang is more current than ever, fueled by the digital release of the critically acclaimed documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story and a series of public appearances and interviews she has conducted throughout 2024 and 2025. Pang is actively showcasing her personal photographs of Lennon—images that capture a relaxed, joyful, and rarely-seen side of the former Beatle. This article provides the most up-to-date look at her life, career, and the enduring legacy of the period that irrevocably changed her life.
May Pang: A Comprehensive Biography and Profile
May Fung Yee Pang was born on October 24, 1950, in New York City, New York. She is an American former music executive, personal assistant, and production coordinator, best known for her romantic relationship with John Lennon during a separation period from his wife, Yoko Ono, which became known as the "Lost Weekend."
- Full Name: May Fung Yee Pang
- Born: October 24, 1950 (Age 75 in 2025)
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Chinese-American
- Early Career: After growing up in New York, Pang’s first job in the music industry was at ABKCO Industries, the management firm run by Allen Klein, which handled the Beatles’ Apple Corps business affairs.
- Role with Lennon/Ono: She was initially hired in 1970 as a personal assistant to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
- The "Lost Weekend": This was the 18-month period (1973–1975) when John Lennon separated from Yoko Ono and lived with May Pang in Los Angeles and New York.
- Post-Lennon Career: Following her time with Lennon, Pang continued her career in the music industry, working as a music executive for Island Records.
- Marriage and Family: Pang married legendary record producer Tony Visconti in 1989. They had two children together. She and Visconti divorced in 2000.
- Publications: She is the author of two books: Loving John (1983) and Instamatic Karma (2008), a collection of her candid photographs of Lennon.
The Lost Weekend: A Love Story and May Pang's Recent Truth
The biggest catalyst for May Pang's current visibility is the documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, which premiered in 2022 and has seen a major digital release in the years since, driving a new wave of interest in her life. The film finally gives Pang an unvarnished platform to share her perspective on the "Lost Weekend," a period she feels has been largely "erased" or distorted by others.
1. The Shocking Origin of the Relationship
The documentary confirms a detail that still surprises many: the relationship was initiated by Yoko Ono. In 1973, when Lennon and Ono were experiencing marital difficulties, Ono suggested that Lennon begin a relationship with Pang, who was their personal assistant at the time. Pang, who was only 23 and considered Lennon her first serious boyfriend, initially resisted the idea, finding the situation bizarre and uncomfortable. However, she eventually agreed, and what was intended as a temporary arrangement turned into a nearly two-year romantic partnership.
2. The Truth About Lennon's "Lost" Period
The term "Lost Weekend" has historically implied a period of drunken debauchery and creative stagnation for John Lennon. Pang's account, supported by her photographs and interviews, paints a different picture. While there were certainly moments of excess, the period was also incredibly productive and creatively fulfilling for Lennon. During this time, he:
- Produced Harry Nilsson's classic album Pussy Cats.
- Released his own successful album, Walls and Bridges, which featured the No. 1 hit "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night."
- Co-wrote "Fame" with David Bowie and Carlos Alomar.
- Reconnected with his estranged son, Julian Lennon, after years of minimal contact.
Pang's photographs, which are the centerpiece of her current exhibitions, show a happy, smiling, and engaged Lennon—a stark contrast to the troubled image often portrayed.
May Pang's Active Life and Exhibitions in 2025
Far from retiring from the public eye, May Pang is more active than ever in 2025, primarily through her traveling photography exhibition, "The Lost Weekend: Photographs of John Lennon." This exhibition has become a major draw for Beatles fans and music historians alike, showcasing candid, limited-edition prints from her personal collection.
3. The Touring Exhibition: A Glimpse into Private Life
Pang's exhibition is not just a display of photos; it is a personal narrative. She often attends the shows in person, giving fans the opportunity to meet her and hear the stories behind the images. The photographs capture intimate moments, including Lennon with Julian, Lennon in the studio with rock legends, and simple, everyday scenes of domestic life. Recent and upcoming exhibition dates in 2025 have been announced in multiple locations, including Alabama and Maine, demonstrating the sustained public interest.
4. The Julian Lennon Connection
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Pang's story is her role in facilitating John Lennon's reunion with his son, Julian. Pang actively encouraged and arranged for the two to spend time together, a relationship that had been severely strained since John's divorce from Cynthia Lennon. This re-connection is a major theme in both the documentary and her public discussions. One of Pang’s photographs of Julian Lennon even graces the cover of Julian’s latest album, a powerful testament to her lasting positive influence on their family dynamic.
5. Yoko Ono's Role and the Sudden End
The relationship ended as abruptly as it began. In early 1975, John Lennon returned to Yoko Ono, and the "Lost Weekend" was over. Pang has been candid about how Ono's influence permeated the relationship, even during their separation. Pang has stated that she believes Ono has actively tried to minimize or erase her role in Lennon's life, a sentiment that the documentary aims to correct. Despite the pain of the sudden breakup, Pang has consistently maintained that she cherishes the time she spent with Lennon, viewing it as a genuine love story that allowed Lennon to grow, create, and heal.
The Enduring Legacy of May Pang
May Pang's legacy extends beyond her famous relationship. She is a published author, a successful music executive who worked with major artists at Island Records, and now a celebrated photographer whose work offers an invaluable historical record. Her willingness to share her story—on her own terms—through her book, the documentary, and her touring exhibition, has cemented her position as a crucial voice in the history of The Beatles and 1970s rock music. Her narrative provides essential context to the final, productive years of John Lennon's life, proving that the so-called "Lost Weekend" was actually a period of profound re-discovery and creativity for the music legend.
In 2025, May Pang continues to travel, meet fans, and manage the narrative of her life. Her ongoing public appearances and the success of her documentary ensure that her unique perspective on the life of John Lennon will continue to be discussed, analyzed, and appreciated by a new generation of music enthusiasts.
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