John Lennon Lived with His Father in Blackpool

The Fylde coast played a significant role in John Lennon’s early years. As a child, Lennon spent many summers with his cousins, Leila and Stanley, who were at boarding schools in St Annes and Rossall. He would often take the tram to Blackpool, where he enjoyed performances by George Formby, Dickie Valentine, and Arthur Askey. He also learned to swim at Fleetwood’s old open-air baths, and it’s even rumoured that he and Stanley supported Fleetwood Town.

In June 1946, John’s father, Alfred, visited his sister Mimi at 251 Menlove Avenue and took John on what seemed like a long “holiday” to Blackpool, although Alfred secretly planned to emigrate to New Zealand with him. At the age of five, John stayed with Alfred for two months at 25 Ivy Avenue, South Shore, a house that was likely newly built at the time. The street, though somewhat distant from Blackpool town centre, was near the beach.

When Julia, John’s mother, and her partner, Dykins, discovered Alfred’s plans, they went to Blackpool to confront him. Following a heated argument, Alfred reportedly forced John to choose between his mother or father. John chose Alfred twice, and Julia walked away, leaving John in tears. However, this account has been disputed. Author Mark Lewisohn suggests that both of John’s parents had agreed that Julia would take John and provide him with a stable home. A witness to the scene, Billy Hall, later claimed that the dramatic “choose between your parents” moment never happened.

There are several posts on the timeline showing John Lennon’s connection to Blackpool: John Lennon’s Three Fleetwood Summers, Cynthia Lennon – Born in Blackpool, The Beatles Perform at the ABC Theatre and James Hanratty, John Lennon and Stevonia Fish & Chips.

Image by © Deeper Blue Marketing & Design Ltd

Alfred Lennon, (aged 55) is pictured here with 19-year-old Pauline Cole, a former student of Exeter University, who he planned to marry. A full interview with Alfred Lennon accompanied this image featured in The Daily Mirror, 6 January 1968, page 1 and back page 28. It said the following… John Lennon has ended his feud with his father, who left the family home when John was only 4 years old. Alfred went to sea as a ships steward and later learned that his wife, Julia, had been killed in a road accident in 1958. In 1964, Alfred suddenly turned up and met John, who was now a famous Beatle. Now in 1968, John has said on their silence and time apart, ‘we were both partially to blame. That’s why it’s taken all this time. We’re getting to know each other. Through friends and relatives we got in touch. From now on I hope we’ll be in closer contact all the time.’ Alfred was living in a 10 pounds per week apartment in Richmond, South West London, and working as a **barman** (note to editor to check this fact) for 8 pounds per week in nearby Hampton Court. Just before Christmas, Alfred had been lying sick in bed, when a letter arrived from John Lennon with a wad of money notes inside. A few days later a chauffer-driven Rolls Royce arrived and took Alfred to Weybridge to see John and his family. Later he took Pauline to see John. ‘He (John) thought she was great’, said Alfred. Pauline added ‘I’ve met John several times now and he is very sympathetic.’ John told his father to rent a 14 pounds per week flat in Richmond and gave him the weekly money to cover it. Photo taken 5 January 1968.

In 1965, Alfred released a pop single “That’s My Life (My Love and My Home)”. Tony Cartwright, co-author of the song, began writing it with inspiration from Alfred’s stories. It was recorded by a 30-piece orchestra, which included the future members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. When released, the song had some commercial success. However, it suddenly disappeared from the charts, an action suspected by Cartwright to be instigated by John Lennon, which hasn’t been verified. Alfred, apparently disheartened, abandoned further attempts at a career in music. You can hear the song below through the YouTube link and hear how much he sounded like his son when singing.