An Interview with MAY PANG |
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- Опубліковано 10 січ 2024
- Matt spends some time with May Pang, whose documentary, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, is now available on streaming services and on disc. May discusses the project and some of the back story.
See The Lost Weekend: A Love Story here: thelostweekendmovie.com/preor...
May's UA-cam Channel: / @themaypang
May's website: maypang.com
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Thank you Matt and to everyone who watched this interview and for your kind support. Happy, Healthy 2024!
My pleasure May! Thank you for guesting 🙂
@themaypang We love you 💗
Thank you, Miss May, for being a beautiful soul and all of the fun pictures that were always in Creem magazine in the '70's. You and John gave me life as I lived in a very small farming community. Peace and love to you, always.
Hi from Sweden! I hope to see your movie some day (soon)! So nice to listen to you, always (and Matt too)!
I've hung with May, along with our mutual good friend who just passed late last year. She's a very sweet person...
What a lovely woman such a contrast from the other one
So beautiful. So enchanting. Unfortunately, John desired a mother and not a lover. So glad May shared her story. And her vocal on "#9 Dream" remains a favorite.
Good point about the mother. He kind of got the mother and father wrapped into one in Yoko.
@@popgoesthe60s52 In a way, I think Yoko also became the manager John needed since Brian Epstein died. We know he wanted Allen Klein to fill that void, but as George wrote and what John eventually realized was, "Beware of ABKCO." I think John, in particular, was devastated by Epstein's sudden death. Seems to me, John loved having someone he could trust to manage the business side of things and having a rough time with that during the row about Lee Eastman (whom in retrospect would have been the best manager for The Beatles, IMHO) he finally realized that Yoko has very effective business instincts. My point is, we tend to characterize Yoko as a mother figure, but she accomplished quite a lot of smart business decisions on Lennon's and her behalf. In the big picture, in the long run, McCartney himself has proven to be incredibly talented in managing his own business interests, turning the financial shambles that The Beatles faced when dissolving their boutique shop into the multi-billions of dollars' empire he presides over today. Just putting Paul in charge of managing and producing the group probably would have been the best move for all of them, in hindsight. In the songwriting department, John & Paul writing together as extremely compatible musical geniuses, in my opinion, will never be equaled or surpassed.
Wow! Another great interview Matt! I saw The Lost Weekend: A Love Story in the theater and as in the case of your interview, May comes across and IS a beautiful soul. She always is genuine. Ignore the naysayers May, the majority of us fans love you. One can only wonder how things would’ve been different if John had stayed with May and had gone to visit the McCartneys in New Orleans.
You’re off to a great 2024 Matt!
Thanks JC!
Just a wonderful 34 minutes. What you say about this modern world is so true and I think that partly why May is such a delight as she doesn't seem to engage in negativity but rather just shares the truth without vice. She has such positvity and and natural communicator. Great interviewer and a great guest. I loved watching this.
Thanks trip! I really appreciate it.
As a Lennon fan….if you haven’t seen May’s doc, do it now! So enjoyable and very well done. Good on ya May!
May Pang - - - -> The ultimate cool chick! What a grounded, straightforward, no-nonsense woman.
Agreed!
May seems like such a lovely lady, and in an era where everyone wants to view people in black and white, she brings a wonderful balance as you say, and you did a wonderful job interviewing her.
She's delightful and articulate. What might have been in New Orleans had John reunited with Paul back then has to make a person wonder.
Thank you for having May on, I love hearing her stories. It reminded me to order the DVD. You're right, Loving John is selling for crazy prices!
I'll never understand why Paul talked to John about going back to Ono.
I think Paul was actually trying to help John, but he was really helping Ono.
This interview should be part one of three! Many more questions to ask. The same with her documentary. She should make a trilogy!
I wish I could have had that kind of time with her! Maybe I can invite her back.
@@popgoesthe60s52 May seems very open. You could talk to her for hours it would never get boring!
Well my mind is blown away. Myself I didn't know that John had asked may about writing with Paul again, and never heard the story about John writing on that card that was sent to Derek about going to see Paul and Linda in New Orleans. 😢
@@melodyfinder101 Yes it really does.
What’s great about Matt’s interviews is he lets his guests tell their story. He asks the questions I would always want to ask. Great job as always!
Thank you for saying that!
I've been fascinated with May since seeing the photo, in Time's old People section, of her and John, I think it was poolside somewhere in LA. It must have been 1974, I was in junior high. I thought to myself, things are looking up for John!!! Enjoyed the interview....
I was in high school at the time and I remember seeing pictures of them together and thinking, "Wow, she's amazingly beautiful and sexy!" I thought they looked great together!
Thank you, Wraithby!
If only John stayed with her!
Oh my. You really are becoming a celebrity of your own. Congrats!
Thank you! ☺
You knocked it out of the park with this one, Matt. Thank you to you and May for an interesting and informative time! Oh what might have been had John and May visited the Mac’s in Nola!
Thank you, Galtsghost!
#9 Dream is a lot of people's favorite Lennon solo track because of its Beatlesque arrangement and reflections ("So long ago, was it in a dream? Was it just a dream?"). May's vocals are ethereal on this track! So, it's great that you got the legend May Pang on the show Matt!
Thank you Lawrence!
It coincided with John giving press interviews where John said his Beatles breakup wounds were starting to heal.
Matt, I've seen a lot of May Pang interviews. Hands down, your interview with her is the best. Thank you
I appreciate the kind compliment, Schemel!
@popgoesthe60s52 it's true. So many of these interviewers ask the same questions over and over.
They also act like nervous fans.
I often wondered if I could interview Paul McCartney, what kind of questions would I ask. For the most part, my question would be about Wings because no one ever asks about that band. For the Beatles years, I would ask questions about his involvement with the Indica Book store, or, (without getting too personal), his relationship with Jane Asher. He is only now starting to talk about her. Also, his relationship with George Harrison both as a Beatle and ex-Beatle. Nobody asked these questions. So, getting back to your interview with May, it was refreshing to hear different questions for her to respond to.
What a great inteview Matt !
May Pang is bringing some sunshine. Nice.
So the song "Now and then" was written for Yoko ? for Paul ? ... no, i think it was rather for this lovely lady.
It makes sense specially when we hear John singing the full lyrics of the original demo (the bridge part was removed on the 2023 version)
Funny you should say that about Now and Then. We talked a bit about that off camera.
Thank you for posting this interview. May is the greatest historian. She saw them up close; she saw the artistic side, the business side and even saw a couple of them perform together and in the end, learned that, despite the stardom and music, they were just four lads from Liverpool. In the end, she is the best historian and her artful telling of the Beatles’ story will be passed down to many many generations.
Thanks Matt and May. It was great to get an intelligent rational woman's insight on her experiences with John.
Great job Matt!...60 minutes couldn't have done her interview any better..
I really appreciate that Stephen! Thank you.
Great interview…Ms. Pang was instrumental in facilitating the creation of a lot of the music of that era, a very positive influence on Lennon. Its a very nuanced complicated story of their time together.
Well said! I appreciate the comment.
Wonderful interview! I always liked May Pang and I thought, even back in the beginning, that she and Lennon were a good match. I can imagine him being very happy with her intellect, knowledge of the record business, and the overall companionship they enjoyed together.
Finally the film it's on streaming!
The cinemas over here never show anything of this kind!
Thanks for this interview. I've watched The Lost Weekend several times. I've always respected May - but fell in love with her when I found out how instrumental she was with strengthening the relationship between John & Julian. She's a great lady. LOVE you May!
I appreciate the comments! Thank you.
Epic Matt…EPIC! I didn’t want the interview to end. This has to be one of your top video episodes ever! Loved it, great job! I enjoyed hearing from May immensely. She is very engaging and kindhearted. Fabulous stories and memories shared. I’m ordering her documentary today! Cheers my friend! Thank YOU! Matt Street 😊
Hey Matt! Thank you for the kind words. I happen to notice you were wearing a very interesting t-shirt in one of your videos - how flattering! I'd like to show my appreciation. Why don't you message me through my Pop Facebook page, I'd like to get your mailing address to send you something. Thanks again for commenting!
@@popgoesthe60s52 Matt… AOL at rubbersoul6568
Loved the interview. Hope May comes back again! Wish John had ended up with her and broke things off with Yoko. He looked happier than he had been in 10 years.
Thank you, David!
I watched her movie and I found her story very credible. He seemed more alive and happy with May. When I think of John' s life and his death, I always think of "what if".
Totally agree. Her story doesn’t seem opportunistic, it appears credible.
What a breath of fresh air and a positive, healthy spirit May Pang is! This was a terrific interview Matt, wow...I loved when she shared that John was always trying to improve, even in light of public detractors, as a person...we could all benefit from this example.
Thank you! I hope I can do another interview with her someday. 🙂
What a wonderful and intriguing interview!! I totally enjoyed it! Thank you so much Matt!!
My pleasure!
Really happy to see this, Matt! The 60s icon Kathy Simmonds became a close friend of mine and had to deal with years of frustration due to a re-telling of history. I’m so happy that May is able to share her story on my favourite UA-cam channel!
Thank you for that, Kristian. May is fortunate enough to be in a position to tell her story, which it sounds like Kathy wasn't.
Great conversation here, Matt. I never get tired of hearing from May. Someone who was actually there. A jewel in your crown for your already excellent channel! Keep up the great work.
Thank you, Tom!
Lennon's years in LA always seemed so other worldly to me. It was always my favorite part of John's story when I read about it during my high school years.
I have watched many interviews with May since the doc dropped. I always love hearing her speak and love her story. Thanks for the interview Matt.
My pleasure, Gonzo.
May Pang IS the gal. Upbeat, positive spirit. You can spot it right away. Down to earth. That's the impression I always got from her.
I think I first heard May Pang speak was most likely around the early 80's on one of those talk shows. I remember being a little surprised at her voice. We all seen her in photos and stuff. Im 60 now and back then I thought she was a pretty girl. Ya still are May! 🙂
Not to change subject, anyway in light of these congressional and Senate committees with hearings on these UFO whistle blowers. Secret Black ops(lol) in reverse engineering these vehicles etc. It makes me think of May and John's sighting experience. Don't worry, I don't have a podcast or anything. May, you and John described that UFO as being really close. Almost like it knew u 2 were there. I know it sounds stupid but if the vehicle was actually a reversed engineered vehicle, it probably DID know you's were there.
I brought it up because before this interview I was listening to Joe Rogan clips talking about this UFO subject, and some clips of Carl Tuckerson. And other 'Disclosure' vids. This stuff...I don't know... profound and wild. I'm no guru or anything. Just a simple sheet metal brake press operator in a labor department of a big manufacturering plant in St. Louis county. I'll veer off to Beatles stuff on YT for some positive vibes. And you're a part of that 'positive' within the Beatle and John Lennon story. And it's interesting subcategory of history. Matt's Pop Goes The 60's is a great 60's music podcast. Which is also my favorite era. 65 thru 68ish. Some really hands on recording effects time frame. Though I like the 50's and 70's too. But I do like that psychedelic 60's period in pop/rock n soul. A kick ass track is Doby Grey's, The In Crowd(65).
Thanks a lot May n Matt for this nice interview. May is good ta go! She's not pulling any BS. I've always known that. And I'm glad she's standing up and getting her story and a huge part of her life, and a love separation. At that age, well that had a huge influence on her, May.
Thanks for the May Pang YT channel link. I didn't know May had one.
🌼🙂🌹
Really enjoyed this Matt. Been wanting to see May's doc film
"The Long Weekend." It's what spouses do in a 2nd marriage: diminish what went before to appease the new partner.
JL did that to MP, did that to Cyn, even to Julian, & to The Beatles, to appease YO.
' *In My Life* ' is remarkably prophetic of JL's propensity for this in 1965.
Everyone hears ' *In My Life* ' as idyllic nostalgia, because the beautiful melody & harmonies sound sweet.
But it's also ruthless: that's the side of this great song that no commentator ever analyses because no one hears it. Not one book goes near it, near as I can tell.
In one verse & again in the chorus, JL reassures a partner he hasn't even met yet that all the loves that went before can't hold a candle to this new flame:
" *There is no one compares with you*
*And these memories lose their meaning*
*When I think of love as something new* ."
Woah! way to disown the past! & to contradict the rest of the lyrics & redirect the loyalty of a loving melody.
" *In my life, I love you more* ."
More than what? More than every loyalty that went before.
It can also be an apology to the wife when infidelities are raised, thrown under a bus to save a marriage: "She meant nothing to me! it was just a fling! You're the one!"
What's ' *God* ' but a litany of disposable icons tossed aside, not to stand alone, which sounds like where this great song is inevitably headed. but to double back & believe in " *Yoko&Me* " as his reality?
Great comment and analysis of In My Life. I never thought of it that way but you make an excellent point.
Very insightful, but that sort of negative angle is probably why I've always avoided trying to psychoanalyze Beatles' lyrics. I just don't want to feel the negativity. In defense of the lyrics, I would say that one of the most attractive and iconic aspects of Beatles' lyric writing was simplicity, directness, and honesty. How does one feel when falling head over heels in love with a new person? That no one, past or present, compares? I read the other day that a scientific study has found that falling in love is a psycho-physiological process that, once started cannot be stopped because of the continuous rush of oxytocin, seriously clouds all reason and good judgement, and makes a person forget about all other people and circumstances, and is more like catching the flu than thinking logically about keeping things in perspective. It's basically impossible to keep things in perspective when falling in love. So, John simply wrote from the heart about the fact that a new love would mean that no one previously compares to that feeling.
@@continentalgin Actually it wasn't psychoanalysis. Nor wholly Negative. It can't be: 'In My Life' is one of my top 10 fave tracks from my all-time fave band.
" *In defense of the lyrics* " - -but the lyrics are not under attack. They are just under a different interpretation than you & many others put on them. I find the song more fascinating *because* of those undercurrents.
I agree, one of Lennon's strengths as an artist is " *Honesty* " in the moment, which is *why* "simplicity" & "directness" follow - - because there is no sophistry.
(Well, psychedelia challenges this, I may have to rethink that last sentence to allow for symbolism.)
Do I read sophistry in your reply? - - your final sentence "the fact that a new love would mean that no one previously compares to that feeling" sounds positively sneaky & only works by *burying the past* when it was also 'uniquely' said about the last girl - - which is my point.
There IS contradiction over time in comparison to another moment. There's a schizoid incongruence in JL's honesty when you match up the separate moments.
Well, "Honesty" is *not* about being *Positive* all day long - - that's fakery, giving reality a face-lift. John Lennon allowed Negativity into his Art - - half of Life is Negative, & you don't get electricity without that polarity.
Man matt this video is awesome I don't send two comments to the same video very often , but I am almost 70 years old , grew up with the Beatles I usually live in the past and this video really did it for me. I have seen all four of them twice except for John only once at the one to one concert at the garden in ny. Again thank you. My friend....
I appreciate it, Frank! Thank you.
I am so happy you were anle to interview Ms. Pang. I hope this will increase your subcribers a hundredfold. You deserve it!
Thank you, Monk!
Wow. Fascinating guest. Will check this out
Fantastic !!!! Thank you Matt !
Great interview! Thanks!
Fantastic interview! Can't wait to see the movie.
Thanks Matt, great interview!!
Great interview... Thanks!
It's no accident that Walls and Bridges (Johns best solo album) was made while they were together. He seemed not so uptight.
Walls & Bridges John's best? Not for me LA/New York studio musicians - I'd rather have John, Klaus & Ringo (& Phil) on John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band myself!
Totally amazing! ❤ So enlightening to see May’s take and observations on her time with John. Look forward to seeing the film!
This is a great interview!
This was an absolutely LOVELY interview, Matt. Loved every minute.
GREAT interview Matt! Really enjoyed it.
Excellent interview! Such a fascinating time when they were together
Excellent interview, Matt! 🙂👍
Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. Thanks.
My pleasure, Dave.
Important interview. Congrats, Matt!
Thank you, Robbie!
GREAT!!! thank You Matt...perrrfect.
Great work Matt! I really appreciate the work that you do. Brilliant interview
Thank you, Zone!
Really cool! Can't wait to watch this. I love your channel so much dude
Thanks treetop!
So GREAT!!! Great anecdotes and perspective! Thank you so much for making this fine video.
Thank you, Jeff!
Thanks again Matt … this interview with May Pang is excellent! You are the best ! Happy New Year to you … and Here’s to 2024 !
Thank you, Lynda!
Amazing interview Matt! Best site on 60s music by far!
Thank you - plenty more to come!
That was an absolutely brilliant interview.
Thank you, Matthew.
Great job Matt, great job.
I still have a copy of her 1st book I bought at a yard sale for $2.95. It has a couple of creases on the spine and a little wear but it's intact. There's a lovely photo of May on the back in color. I'd like to know what she thought of Frederic Seaman's book, he listed her first in the acknowledgements.
great interview
Great interview. She seems so nice! I enjoyed her documentary and have to go back and read her book again. I still have it but have read it in 30 years? Looking forward to part 2 interview down the road.
Thanks Ted!
loved the Lost Weekend film. John seemed very happy.
Great interview! The whole narrative of "Lennon was plastered for those 18 months with May" was too easy.....and obviously manufactured to some extent. Yes, partly by John himself.
That was absolutely excellent! Thank you so much, Matt, for making this happen. I wish all of us could express our personal thanks to May as well. She was wonderful.
Thank you, King - she was a pleasure to speak to. I hope to have her back!
Thank you so much for this interview Matt. I got her first book five years ago and it was so amazing to learn the true story. I'm mad that John didn't go to New Orleans to see the Macs and play on Venus and Mars. John made amazing music because of May.
My pleasure. May was a joy to speak with and I hope I can get her back!
What a beautiful and articulated woman!
She seems to be very honest and kind hearted with a good sense of humor. I found a hilarious clip of Howard Stern singing a parody of Imagine to her and she enjoyed it.
So nice to see and hear May Pang, she is a wonderful person in my opinion! I read her first book and it really expanded my picture of John Lennon.
You out did your self this time matt !!!! Thank you for your work on this one FRANK FROM MONTANA.......
Thank you, Frank!
Great interview! I wonder which album Paul was working on in New Orleans and which album/songs John was doing at the time. No doubt it would've been amazing...which could've included songs by George as well! Wow!
Paul was about to work on Venus and Mars.
@@popgoesthe60s52 I always imagine Paul and John doing Call me back again… both belting that tune out 🤘🤘🤘
Thanks for this, Matt. Very enjoyable.
Like John himself, the loves of his life are a contradiction. Yoko, with her great genius and mystique, fey wisdom and zen artistry, and May with her down to earth realism and friendly charm, and sweet and steady Cynthia; all great women. All very different too.
It's a shame the way Cynthia was treated, but love is blind and sometimes quite hurtful.
Great interview
I could have listened to her all night. Thanks
Thalnks Matt! Very interesting and sad story John never made it to New Orleans. Keep up the good work!
Wow, very cool that you scored an interview with May! Great stuff. I especially liked the bit where she mentioned that John was always seeking to improve himself and do better. It seems like it's become fashionable in recent years to outright trash him and his legacy (often with allegations that are downright slanderous) and I think more people need to hear her take on it.
Very interesting and insightful - well done Matt! Even though it must be sad for her in a way to keep repeating parts of her past life in the hope that people actually believe her. Also I wished you asked her more about the 1975-1980 period as I think she stated at one point that they kept in touch. Looking forward to seeing the documentary if i can manage to find it.
Matt, I'm so glad you did this interview! I was hoping you would. May is a real gem and her stories really typify the 70's.
Thank you, Stu!
Wonderful vid as always! Completely random and unrelated question I was just wondering kinda out of nowhere: by any chance were you ever a user over at the Steve Hoffman music forums?
Hey Babe, good to see you here! I never contributed any comments to the Hoffman forum but I occasionally search it for certain topics.
A-1 interview Matt👍👍 Loved every second of it!!! I really enjoyed May's story of of her & John on the NYC bus -LOL!!!
Thank you, Ernie!
I really like May ,ive gotta see the doco.
Thanks Matt, I really enjoyed this and I'm glad you gave May some time on your channel, I'd love to see this period take its rightful place in John's story. I have a copy of the documentary and May's book "Loving John" it's strange that it still feels like this section of his life though well documented still seems to be widely disregarded. It feels like there is supposed to be this happy narrative love story of John and Yoko, which has some truth to it, but it obviously isn't that simple and there is more nuance to it. That later period after he got back together with Yoko is not as ideal as it is supposed to be, I don't think it was terrible, but I do think John and Yoko put out an idealised vision of that period and Lennon fans are attached to the ideal and don't want an quibbles about their "double fantasy".
I appreciate the comments, keriford!
Classy lady, wish her only the best. Hope she enjoyed New Orleans, the other city that doesn't seem to sleep.
This was a beautiful interview, Matt. What a nice person May seems to be. How fun to be able to pick her brain! Thank you for all your work, getting guests like May, and others. I learn so much, and I love your style. 👍🏻❤️
Hey Jilly - thank you so much!
May is adorable!! Can't wait to see her documentary.
Thanks for having her on Matt!!🎸🎼😊
Thank you, Tony!
@@popgoesthe60s52 i thought you were very kind and Gentle with her Matt. She seemed very comfortable and so willing to answer questions with you!🎸🎼
Thanks. I never knew about all this.
Great video! Greetings from Costa Rica
Welcome Costa Rica!
Tell her - Thank Your!
Tim
Will do, Tim - thank you!
Awesome interview! Congrats on getting May to come on your show. She's a super cool lady, without question. No pretense and tells it like it is. One thing I was always curious about and found rather disturbing was when John and May were together in L.A. and Yoko called about the quit smoking hypnotist. May reported that after that hypno session, he was suddenly back in love with Yoko, and, as May herself reported, John didn't seem quite the same. It makes you wonder. I'd love to ask her about that and if she had suspicions about that moment. It really seemed strange.
Hey Vinnie! Yes, the the smoking cure was basically like Monarch mind control. Very disturbing the way she described it in her book.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Oh, she DOES go in more depth in the book. I'll have to read it then. Just wow. That's VERY disturbing indeed. Especially since it was done to one of my musical heroes. She only hinted at it in one of the interviews she did. I'm gonna recommend the book to Corbett as well, since that's in his wheelhouse as well. Thanks for the reply. Oh, and Happy New Year, Matt!
Thank you very much for the video. Exploded a few myths there. May comes across as a very personable, nice lady.
I appreciate the comment, David! Thank you.
GRAND SLAM MATT! I could listen to you and May all day. That was a big "what if" with Paul and John. Would have changed history. This is great, that's why I'm a patreon. Best channel on UA-cam! Hope you can get May back in the future.
I appreciate that St. Rose!
I think Walls and Bridges was a great album, and feel May's influence and inspiration on Lennon had to be a part of that. Enjoyed the interview Matt. Thank you both.
Holy shit, 'Pang Goes The 60s!!!'...
Love it!
Love her NY accent.
Matt, you are such a great interviewer. I always feel like I'm sitting in your living room listening to an easy-going exchange between you and your guests, maybe enjoying a beer or two with you. And in this case, May Pang is such a fun and lively person, she makes it seem easy! Thanks for all the work you put into these conversations. You are a gift to us Boomers!
Thank you, MKeller!
Excellent segment Matt. As May says, lyrics matter, going back to what I told you about disco. And yeah, I say the same thing about Morrison's substance abuse that May says about Lennon's - the Doors movie portrays Morrison as drunk or stoned 24/7, 365 1/4. How could he possibly have achieved what he did if that was the case?