TOO PAINFUL
John Lennon’s sister says the family can’t bear to listen to his music as she opens up on late star’s 80th birthday
BEATLES legend John Lennon's sister has said the family can't even listen to his music because it's too painful.
Julia Baird, 73, opened up about her late brother today on This Morning in a rare interview on what would have been his 80th birthday.
4
Appearing live from her home in Liverpool, Julia was asked if it was difficult for her to hear Beatles songs.
She said: "It was terrible at first - none of the family could listen to anything.
"Even now, if an interview comes on, and it's likely now, and I hear his voice, and it's like 'Oh.'"
Referring to an acclaimed documentary about John and his wife Yoko Ono, she added: "I actually only watched Above Us Only Sky for the first time ever last week because of the piano at Strawberry Field.
4
4
4
"But I watched it and it was quite hard, but by the end I was enjoying it. It's a weird thing. And that film almost felt personal."
Remembering their childhood in Liverpool, Julia explained that it was not unusual to know someone in a band.
She said: "'Everyone had a brother that was in a group. But they all dropped off as they got to 15, their parents got them out, went to university.
"They all wanted to do different things. But John and Paul had a determination the others never had."
Most read in Celebrity
John was shot and killed at his New York home when he was 40 by Mark David Chapman who pleaded guilty to his murder and has remained in jail ever since.
Julia is active in the Strawberry Field community project in Liverpool, which is home to the piano John composed Imagine on.
George Michael bought the Steinway piano in 2000 for £1.45million - the highest price ever paid for a piece of music memorabilia - and his estate has loaned it to be exhibited.
John Lennon at 80: Events held to mark musical legend’s birthday
Topics