John Lennon’s son Julian stuns the world by singing father’s ‘Imagine’ for ‘the first time ever’

Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon, said he would never perform “Imagine,” the well-known peace anthem. The musician felt that the world needed to hear his father’s words and that he would only perform it if the world was about to end.

However, the 59-year-old felt obligated to publicly sing the song as part of the 2022 Global Citizen’s Stand Up for Ukraine campaign because of the current conflict in Ukraine.

Although Julian’s version was straightforward, his father’s 1971 song was equally as impactful as Julian’s.

Julian wrote that the “unimaginable tragedy” in Ukraine prompted him to “respond in the most significant way I could.”

“The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for…” he wrote. “As a result of the ongoing murderous violence, millions of innocent families, have been forced to leave the comfort of their homes, to seek asylum elsewhere.”

Since the war began in Ukraine at the end of February, more than 4.5 million people have fled the country as refugees.

During Global Citizen’s fundraiser, which Julian performed for, more than $10 billion was pledged in support of refugees from Ukraine.

Governments, companies, and individuals from around the world accounted for half of the donations while grants and loans from public European financial institutions made up the remaining half.

Julian, who is the son of John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia Lennon, called on the people of the world to not just help refugees from Ukraine, but those seeking a better life around the world.

“I’m calling on world leaders and everyone who believes in the sentiment of IMAGINE, to stand up for refugees everywhere! Please advocate and donate from the heart.”