John and May Pang © Michael Hewitson

Yoko and John set up home in the Dakota Building, which overlooks Central Park. May Pang worked for the couple as their secretary ... and also became John's lover.

Separated from Yoko, in October 1973 John and May took off to Los Angeles to embark on what John called his 'Lost Weekend' - eighteen months of wild partying in the company of Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann and Harry Nilsson.

John Lennon & Harry Nilsson © May Pang

During this time there were some West Coast recording projects including the chaotic recording of the 'Rock 'n' Roll' album which the legendary Phil Spector produced. John produced Harry Nilsson's 'Pussy Cats', which he eventually finished off in a New York studio. Back in New York John also began work on his own album, 'Walls and Bridges'.

It was May who suggested to John that he see more of Julian. John also resumed his regular telephone calls to his Aunt Mimi and other members of his family in Britain.

John Lennon & Elton John

For the first time since John had moved to the US, Julian came on a visit. In July 1974 11 year old Julian sailed on the SS France chaperoned by Elton John, who said, "Julian was a dream. He waited for us outside our staterooms, escorted us to the dining room, and always made sure we had good seats at all the events on board."

Walls and Bridges' was still in the process of being recorded and Julian spent time hanging out and jamming in the studio with his father. On 'Ya Ya' the album credits read, 'Starring Julian Lennon on drums and Dad on piano and vocals.' When Julian heard about this he asked his father, "Why did you do that? If I'd known it was going on the album I would have played better!"

Although John spent Christmas 1974 with May and Julian, visiting Disneyland in California, in January 1975 he suddenly informed May that he was returning to Yoko.

It was now that John's ongoing battle with the US authorities to stay in the country came to a head. John fought the deportation order and won. On 5 October 1975 the US Court of Appeal overturned the order to deport John and he was granted residency status. The authorities announced, "Lennon's four year battle to remain in our country is testimony to his faith in this American dream."

In 1975 Julian changed schools and began to attend Kingsmead Boarding School. Here he met Justin Clayton and they became close friends. Mr Wynn, their gym teacher, helped them learn how to play rock and roll guitar and before long they had formed their own band. Julian's instrument was a Les Paul guitar, a Christmas present from his father.

Cyn's drawings recall memorable moments she shared with John

Cynthia remarried in 1978. John Twist and Julian didn't hit it off, "He was much stricter than Dad or Roberto and didn't have the same sense of crazy." The family moved to North Wales and Julian enrolled at Ruthin School. Despite living in different parts of the country the friendship between Justin and Julian survived.

In the same year Cynthia's autobiography, 'A Twist of Lennon', was published. It told the story of her years with John Lennon and featured Cynthia's unique pen and ink drawings.