PSYCHEDELIC DADDY | PHOTO DESCRIPTIONS

PSYCHEDELIC DADDY: This archive features photos from the mid-60s of John Lennon and his son, Julian, taken mostly at their home in Kenwood, Weybridge, England. John spent a lot of time at home in 1966-1967, since the Beatles had stopped touring and were focusing their creative juices in the recording studio at Abbey Road in London. When not recording, John literally vegetated at Kenwood and after many years on the road, he got to spend some time with his wife, Cynthia, and their young son. The majority of photos in this album were taken in one photo session, but they provide a look into the “psychedelic life” that John Lennon was leading during the swinging sixties. Enjoy! ~ladyjean

1: John Lennon reads one of the underground papers in the privacy of his sunroom at Kenwood. Reportedly this is where John spent most of his free time when relaxing at home (when he wasn’t upstairs in his recording studio. Note on the cupboard behind him two bumper stickers for Captain Beefheart’s "Safe As Milk" LP.

2: John Lennon and his son, Julian, pose with John’s famous psychedelic Rolls Royce at their home in Kenwood. This Rolls Royce has passed through many hands over the decades and at last account was being taken on tour for fans to have the opportunity of seeing it up close. Note John’s groovy tennis shoes!

3: John Lennon shows off his psychedelic Rolls Royce at his home in Kenwood, Weybridge, England in 1966. By this time, John had taken to wearing the round-lensed glasses that became his ultimate trademark. John used the National Health style spectacles as part of his wardrobe for the film, How I Won the War, and continued to wear them afterward (with some exceptions) for the rest of his life.

4: John Lennon embraces his young son, Julian, near the swimming pool at his home in Kenwood. Moments like this between famous father and sensitive son were not often captured on film. This photo session took place in 1966.

5: John Lennon sits with his young son, Julian, near the swimming pool at his home in Kenwood. Even at this early age, it was obvious that Julian had inherited his father’s striking good looks. This photo session took place in 1966.

6: John Lennon, dressed in a 1960s-style Nehru shirt, perches on a wall near the swimming pool at his home in Kenwood.

7: John Lennon and his son, Julian, take a ride on an elaborate rocking horse in their home at Kenwood, Weybridge, England. It was hard to hide the fact the father and son had a somewhat distant relationship with each other. This photo session took place in 1966.

8: A lovely portrait of John Lennon with his young son, Julian, in 1966. The photo is from a photo session taken at their home in Kenwood.

9: A somewhat candid shot of John Lennon with his son, Julian at their home in Kenwood, circa 1966. Lennon was in his psychedelic phase, spending quite a lot of time at home with his wife, Cynthia, and their young son.

10: John Lennon sits with his young son, Julian Lennon, in their home in Kenwood, circa 1966. For younger generation fans, note the rotary dial desk phone in the background.

11: John Lennon and his son, Julian, strike a relaxing pose together amongst some of Julian’s oversized stuffed animals. This photo session took place in 1966 at John’s home in Kenwood, Weybridge, England.

12: John Lennon and his son, Julian, strike a relaxing pose together amongst some of Julian’s oversized stuffed animals. This photo session took place in 1966 at John’s home in Kenwood, Weybridge, England.

13: John Lennon, dressed in psychedelic fashion, perches upon a wall at his home in Kenwood, Weybridge, England, in 1966.

14: John Lennon sings and plays in his private recording studio in his home at Kenwood, circa 1966. Note John’s psychedelic painted guitar.

15: John Lennon sunbathes with his young son, Julian, at their home in Kenwood, circa 1966. Note the trademark necklace John is wearing, despite the fact that he was basically undressed. He would also wear it (and nothing else!) in the controversial nude photos that would later be taken of him and his future wife, Yoko Ono.

16: John Lennon leads his son, Julian, by the hand, as they return to England from a trip to Greece in 1966. Note John’s amazing giant flower-covered psychedelic jacket. Far out, man!