On 5 August 1991 the single 'Saltwater' from the forthcoming album 'Help Yourself' was released in the UK. Two weeks later the album, Julian's fourth, was released in the US.

'Saltwater' raced to the No.1 spot all over the world, except in the US. The intro to the song is reminiscent of 'Strawberry Fields'. This was a deliberate ploy arrived at by Julian and co-writer Mark Spiro to try to ensure that they caught people's attention. Julian said: "We felt it was very important for people to listen, to get into the song and understand what it is about." For many people Saltwater has become an anthem.

Julian spent much of the early part of 1992 promoting the album in Japan, the US and Australia. Julian has a great affinity with Australia and in February 1992 he performed 'Saltwater' at a school in Sydney during the launch of Green Youth Action. He also planted trees on behalf of the Australian Conservation Foundation. The following month 'Saltwater' spent four weeks at No. 1 in the Australian singles' charts.

By now sales from the four albums topped five and a half million. But Julian was disillusioned by the music business and by his part in it. "I'd gotten really frustrated with the music business. When there are other people involved you always end up doing things that aren't really you." He quit. During the next seven years he lived another life - he now had time for his many other interests; sailing, photography, art, design, gardening, cooking, travelling, collecting antiques, and pursuing his environmental concerns. He also took on some acting jobs and film projects.

In 1993 Julian voiced the character of David Copperfield in the TV animated special of the Dickens' classic. In the 1995 film 'Leaving Las Vegas' Julian played the bartender to Nicolas Cage's Oscar winning performance. In the same year Julian composed 'Cole's Song' for the film 'Mr Holland's Opus' which starred Richard Dreyfus as a high school music teacher. In 1996 Julian played himself in 'Cannes Man', a movie industry spoof which also had Johnny Depp and Denis Hopper appearing as themselves.

In December 1996 Julian joined Sinead O'Connor and other artistes at an UNESCO concert called 'Together in the World: Accomplices Against Intolerance', marking UNESCO's 50th anniversary.

During this time Julian started to seriously collect family memorabilia. His first purchase in 1996 was a batch of heirlooms which included drawings, postcards from John to Julian and the chrome apple car mascot which had been on the front of the Austin Maxi car John Lennon crashed while on holiday with Julian in Scotland. Julian also bought Paul McCartney's handwritten recording notes for 'Hey Jude'. Julian's memorabilia collection grows year on year.

Although Julian had considered the possibility that he might never return to music in the end he started playing again just for the sheer love of it. By April 1997 he was back in the recording studio. He described his latest material as: "organic, with songs done with very few takes." 'Photograph Smile' was released through Julian's own label, Music From Another Room. The new album revealed some of the musical similarities between Julian and John,

and now Julian had the confidence not to hide those

resemblances. "I avoided doing anything Beatlesy for years but there are so many people who expected me to do something close to the Beatles that I thought this time I will."

The album was issued in the UK, Australia and Japan in 1998 and in the US in 1999.

The single 'Day After Day' charted at No. 1 in Japan, and in Australia the single 'I Don't Wanna Know' reached number two, as did the album. In Europe, 'Photograph Smile' charted in the top 20 in at least seven countries and reached number two in the independent album chart. Reviews were good. But most importantly Julian liked it, "It feels like the first real Julian Lennon album."

In early April 1998 the video was shot for 'Day After Day'. Later Julian re-edited it with his friend Anthony Levine. Julian portrayed a World War One soldier who daydreams about the woman he has left behind. Lucy, Julian's real life partner, played the woman.

The following month Julian promoted 'Photograph Smile' with live performances in Rome of 'Day After Day' and 'Stand By Me'. He dedicated 'Day After Day' to his stepfather Roberto Bassanini. On May 11 'Day After Day' was released in the UK.

Meanwhile Julian was doing endless press interviews. Two questions kept popping up, firstly Julian's views about new groups on the music scene. On Oasis Julian said: "Sure they're borrowing from Beatles stuff, but don't we all? The thing is, they write songs that you just can't get out of your head, you know? And that's what makes a good song." To another frequently asked question, 'Would you work with the Beatles?' Julian's previous response had always been "No" but on this occasion Julian said: "Two or three years ago, I would have said no, purely because I had to find my own self first. But if the opportunity arose, I'd be willing to get up and sing a number with them."

julianlennon.com was launched in 1998. The website provides a variety of ways in which fans can interact and has achieved great popularity.

In August 1998 Julian recorded his '10 Of The Best' for Europe's VH1. Shortly afterwards Julian gave an interview to the British television show 'Exclusive'. He performed his latest single 'I Don't Wanna Know' and the show also included a clip of the promo video for the single. It was a hilarious spoof on the Beatles in the Beatlemania period featuring a fictional band called the Butlers. Julian can be spotted throughout the video in the roles of cop, bus driver and a drunk in the audience at a Butlers' performance. 'I Don't Wanna Know' was Julian's response to the many Beatles' fans who often ask when he will cover a Beatles song.

During September 1998 Julian promoted 'Photograph Smile' in Japan. On the 14th 'I Don't Wanna Know' was released in Australia. Three days later the album and single was released in Japan. On September 18, Julian attended a performance by Sean, dispelling rumours that there is a feud between the brothers.

Julian relaxes in Bali. © Nigel Mason/Bali Adventure Tours

In October Julian began the promo tour of Australia. On the12th Sony released 'Photograph Smile' in Australia. On the last day of the month Julian and the band went whitewater rafting in Bali.

'Day After Day' was released in Australia on 11 November 1998.

On 23 February 1999, 'Photograph Smile' was released in the US, which was followed by a summer tour of the US.

In March Julian attended Paul McCartney's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On April 25 VH1 broadcast a one-hour special, 'Behind the Music - Julian Lennon'.

In June 1999 Cynthia and her longtime friend Phyllis McKenzie held an exhibition at the KDK Gallery in Portobello Road, London. Julian was at the opening.