I’ve said a couple of times that I think things may shift after Yoko Ono dies — specifically in terms of what Paul McCartney might be willing to say about his relationship with John Lennon — and I want to explain why.
Firstly, whether or not you believe Yoko was controlling during John’s life, it’s undeniable that after his death she positioned herself as the arbiter of his legacy. By her own admission:
“I’ve turned down many things because they weren’t right for John.”
That’s not passive — that’s active control over how John is presented to the world.
You can even see that instinct in personal moments. When Ringo Starr — one of John’s closest friends for nearly 20 years — came to the Dakota after John’s death and said “I know how you feel,” Yoko reportedly replied: “No you don’t.”
That says a lot about how she views emotional ownership over John.
Now put Paul into that dynamic.
deeply concerned with not hurting people
He is not John. He does not “say the first thing in his head.” He filters, protects, softens.
And crucially, Paul has basically admitted there are things he hasn’t said:
“I have some juicy stuff I could tell about John. But I wouldn’t. Not when Yoko’s alive, or Cynthia.”
That line alone tells you:
and who is alive directly affects what Paul is willing to say
Would Paul McCartney pick a public fight with Yoko Ono over something as personal and emotionally loaded as his relationship with John Lennon?
Yoko resisted even something as small as reversing the credit on Yesterday — despite John himself saying:
“That’s Paul’s song. Completely. I had nothing to do with it.”
George Harrison’s dying wish included Paul forgiving Yoko — i.e. not fighting her
Paul’s instinct is protect people, avoid conflict, don’t reopen wounds
Now I do think the second Yoko dies Paul will where a t- shirt saying I 💜 John lennon unfortunately no. I think there are good valid reasons besides yoko for keeping quiet, however I think yoko is a key one.
Remove Yoko, and you remove:
the central gatekeeper of John’s legacy
the person most invested in a specific version of his story
That doesn’t mean Paul suddenly says everything. There are still other reasons for silence:
the sheer weight of what it would mean
But it does change the landscape.
It is clear Sean lennon views his Dad in his entirety, that Sean believes John loved his Mum, but that wasn't the only John- as seen by his loving treatment of Julian and how he describes Paul coming on man in the run and saying a Paul and his Dad had “once-in-a-millennium” chemistry.
Whether the lennon estate changing their mind on how to present John legacy will reframe the decision and allow Paul the space to talk will change Paul decision only time will time, but I believe he will speak more openly even if he doesn't say me and John were in a relationship.
Something I could see happening is Paul releasing a documentary or a book about it and either it being released after he died or refusing to do any interviews on it.
No I don't think yoko the sole reason for hiding their relationship, but I believe she is a big reason - look at how yoko diminished may pang and cynthia lennon role- do you think she wouldn't have warned Paul about revealing the greatest love story of the 20th century that doesn’t contain her.
prguitarman
gummygunk
dailybridgerton
kianamaiart
pixelskylines
germansingergirl
2087
