Instamatic Karma By Helen Marketti “People will know the truth,” John said to settle into our conversation over the tele- are clear. “We all have our emotions...no May. The time has now come for that truth phone. “John’s inspiration for “Whatever matter how famous you are. These photos to be told. If a picture is worth a thousand Gets You Through The Night” came from are a gift. You are seeing John through my words then each of the photographs included watching Reverend Ike on television. He eyes...the way I knew him...this is the John in Instamatic Karma are worth a thousand also wrote a song for me, “Surprise, Surprise that I remember. I wanted to put things more. (Sweet Bird of Paradox)”... so I have some- together for him. This was for John as well May Pang was the special person in John thing I can think about...something I can as for myself. Life is short and I wish he Lennon’s life from 1973-1975. May had keep,” she said quietly. was still here.” 1973-1975 is a time frame referenced in May has delivered on allowing the public post-Beatle history books as John Lennon’s to see what was once a very private and lost weekend. Naming it the “lost weekend” personal time. “People will know the truth,” was a label that John gave that time because John said to May...and now we do. he knew how the media operated and he felt In addition to Instamatic Karma, May also he needed to call it something before they will have a gallery showing of her pho- did. However, “being lost” was the furthest tography thing from the truth. work on “It’s very important to do this,” May said May, Julian Lennon (John's oldest son with first June 11 in wife, Cynthia) and John (1974) firmly in regards to her book. “I wanted to New York dispel the myth of what has been said about There was also a gentle stir about John and City where John during that time.” Paul writing together again. May remem- nine of her In addition to working in the record com- bers John approaching her and asking what prints will pany industry May also developed a knack she thought about that possibility. She hap- be for sale. for taking photographs. “John encouraged pily recalls saying to John, “The two of you She also me to take more pictures,” May recalls. “He are really good as solo artists but together designs and liked the way I took pictures. The pictures you two are magical!” sells Feng tell the story of what was going on. You can The time that John Lennon and May Pang Shui jew- May Pang, today "Instamatic Karma" book cover (John Lennon) see the vulnerability in him in the photos.” were together were perhaps some of the elry. The photos that capture moments of a very most creative, productive and loving times of his life. Her life stays full and rich in worked in the offices of ABCKO (Apple special time were collectively stored away For more information: www.maypang.com friendships, her children and love for what Corp) in New York City beginning in the in a shoebox underneath the bed and would and www.instamatickarma.com she does. Her heart felt thoughts on John late sixties. Projects, assignments and cir- only be brought out now and then to illus- cumstances guided her in various directions trate a story that would come up in conversa- until she found herself completely working tion about John. May had been encouraged as John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s personal before by close friends to publish the photos assistant. May often traveled to England to and let the public see how it really was. assist them with projects such as being part She always felt she would do so when the of the film, Imagine. time was right and now over thirty years Carpet-Wallpaper-Draperies later the timing is perfect as is the title of It was also a time that tension and strain were Vinyl Floors-Paint-Laminate book. coming between John and Yoko. During Ceramic Tile their separation it was Yoko who suggested “My friend Mario and I were thinking of WWhyhy choosechoose and even encouraged May to be in John’s what to call the book when I finally decided PPortageortage ValleyValley life. As ridiculous as it may have sounded to do this,” May said. “Mario had been and as much as May resisted, the relationship friends with John and I so he was also aware HHearing?earing? between she and John eventually evolved that a play on words would be perfect. I When you walk in our into a loving and trusting union where life wanted the title to be as clever as John would never be the same for either one of was.” doors, you can expect... them again. The moments caught on film are of someone "At Hills We've Got You Covered" The proof is in the photos and in the thoughts enjoying their life with family and friends. • Honesty May was able to capture images of John that were shared with John’s trusted confi- Hours Monday 9am-8pm dants. On one occasion, George Harrison where he is in the moment of “just being.” • Integrity Tues.- Thurs.- Friday had told May, “I’m glad you’re with him.” During this time John reconnected with his 9am-5:30pm On another occasion John and May were oldest son, Julian, from his first marriage • Service Wed. 9am-5pm spending time with Keith Moon (The Who) to Cynthia. At that time John had not seen Rebecca Krukemyer and Keith said to May privately, “I am so Julian in four years. “He needed to see his Sat 9am-3pm AuD, CCC/A glad you’re with him. This is the John that son. Cynthia and I shared a bond which in Doctor of Audiology I remember.” Still there were more trea- part was to get John and Julian together,” Located Next to the sured stones to overturn as author Larry Kane May recalls. “I had John call Julian every 419-287-2201 or (Ticket to Ride) and (Lennon Revealed) had week. It was important for them to spend Norwalk Public Library toll free 866-804-7392 interviewed John Lennon in 1975 where time together.” John refers to his time with May as “the hap- Fans may also be surprised that some of the 38 West Main St.-Norwalk Portage Valley piest times of my life.” treasured photos are of John spending time “John was hanging out with his son (Julian) with Ringo, George and Paul. “He was very 419-668-4828 Hearing, LLC and hanging out with his friends. He had his happy to reconnect with them,” May remem- 1-800-TO-HILLS 133 E. Front St., Pemberville, OH first number one album (Walls & Bridges) bers. “Things were not business related. (800-864-4557) and a number one single (Whatever Gets They shared stories and talked about what www.portagevalleyhearing.com You Through The Night). I was with him projects they were working on.” Small Town offi ce, big city technology. during all of this,” May Pang recalls as we Financing Available It’s worth the drive to Pemberville. 14 Lifestyles 2000 May 2008