Julian Lennon, son of the late John Lennon, performed his father’s iconic ballad, “Imagine,” for the first time, breaking a vow the 59-year-old musician made to himself years ago, Today reported.
“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. #StandUpForUkraine,” the younger Lennon wrote on Twitter, sharing a video clip of his performance.
I’m calling on world leaders and everyone who believes in the sentiment of IMAGINE, to stand up for refugees everywhere!
According to Today, Julian Lennon was accompanied by Nuno Bettencourt on guitar as they performed the song in a dark room illuminated by dozens of candles.
Julian Lennon also penned a message to accompany the video, explaining what prompted him to perform a song he vowed to never sing in public.
“The War on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy... As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could,” Lennon wrote. “So today, for the first time ever, I publicly performed my Dad’s song, IMAGINE. Why now, after all these years? — I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing ‘IMAGINE’ would be if it was the ‘End of the World’…But also because his lyrics reflect our collective desire for peace worldwide.”
“Because within this song, we’re transported to a space, where love and togetherness become our reality, if but for a moment in time… The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for…” he continued.
Julian Lennon is the son of John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia Lennon, but the couple separated in November 1968 when he was only five. The former Beatle married Yoko Ono the following year, and the couple welcomed Sean Ono Lennon in 1975, Today reported.
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Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon, son of the late Beatles legend John Lennon, poses in front of some of the photographs he is displaying in a show titled Alone at the Overture Art Fair, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 in Miami. Art Basel Miami Beach and about two dozen other independent art fairs open Thursday. Tens of thousands of people are expected through Sunday at the fairs throughout Miami and South Beach. Lennon also exhibited his photography during the 2010 art fairs, and he was looking forward to enjoying Miamis social scene. You get every kind of character and every kind of style, he said. I just hope that doesnt detract from the actual work of the artists whove come here. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR CAPTAIN PLANET FOUNDATION - Julian Lennon finishes performing at Captain Planet Foundation's Annual Benefit Gala at Flourish Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Atlanta. (Photo by John Amis/Invision for Captain Planet Foundation/AP Images) (John Amis/John Amis/Invision/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon poses for a portrait on Wednesday, April 12th, 2017, in Manhattan, New York. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP) (Drew Gurian/Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Beatle John Lennon poses with his son Julian, sitting on his lap, and his companion Yoko Ono at an unknown location in 1968. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Julian Lennon through the years FILE - In this July 22, 1967 file photo, John Lennon from The Beatles hold hands with with son Julian, at Heathrow Airport in London before boarding a plane to Athens, Greece. Lennon, the 54-year-old firstborn son of the late Beatle John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia, has co-authored a picture book for kids, "Touched the Earth," covering environmental issues related to water. (AP Photo/Peter Kemp, File) (Peter Kemp/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Rock and roll singers for the group The Beatles John Lennon, right, and Paul McCartney, holding the hand of Julian Lennon, walk with actress Jane Ashre across the tarmac following their arrival in Athens, Greece on July 22, 1967. The woman in the background is unidentified. (AP Photo) (AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Paul McCartney from The Beatles and Jane Asher are with Julian Lennon, 4, - year-old son of Beatle John Lennon, unseen, on their arrival at Heathrow Airport in London, England from Athens, Greece on July 31, 1967. The Beatles had been holidaying in Greece. (AP Photo/Victor Boynton) (Victor Boynton/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Julian Lennon through the years Rock 'n roll pioneer Chuck Berry, left, is joined on stage by Julian Lennon during a concert to celebrate Berry's 60th birthday at St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 17, 1986. The concert was filmed as part of a documentary on Berry's life. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon, son of late Beatles legend John Lennon, gestures as he speaks during an interview at the media preview for his photography exhibit, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 in Miami. The exhibition called "Timeless" features about 30 of Lennon's hand-signed portrait and landscape photographs and will run Dec. 1-5 at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Recording artists Julian Lennon, left, and James Scott Cook pose for a portrait Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen) (Jeff Christensen/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon, son of late Beatles legend John Lennon, gestures as he speaks during an interview at the media preview for his photography exhibit, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 in Miami. The exhibition called "Timeless" features about 30 of Lennon's hand-signed portrait and landscape photographs and will run Dec. 1-5 at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 photo Julian Lennon, left, has his photo taken with Irish rock star of the band U2 Bono at the opening of Lennon's photography exhibit at the Leica Store and Gallery Los Angeles, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) (Richard Vogel/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon, son of the late Beatles legend John Lennon, left, and and his friend, celebrity photographer Timothy White look over some of the photographs Lennon is displaying in a show titled Alone at the Overture Art Fair, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 in Miami during an interview with The Associated Press. Art Basel Miami Beach and about two dozen other independent art fairs open Thursday. Tens of thousands of people are expected through Sunday at the fairs throughout Miami and South Beach. Lennon also exhibited his photography during the 2010 art fairs, and he was looking forward to enjoying Miamis social scene. You get every kind of character and every kind of style, he said. I just hope that doesnt detract from the actual work of the artists whove come here. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (Wilfredo Lee/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years In this April 12, 2017 photo, Julian Lennon poses for a portrait in New York to promote his children's book, "Touch the Earth." (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP) (Drew Gurian/Drew Gurian/Invision/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years File- In this Aug. 3, 1989 file photo. The two wives and two sons of singer John Lennon, from left Yoko Ono, Lennon's second wife and widow; Julian Lennon; Sean Lennon, son with Ono; and Cynthia Lennon, first wife and mother of Julian pose together at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City to celebrate Julian's concert at the Beacon Theater, New York. Cynthia Lennon passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at her home in Mallorca, Spain, following a short but brave battle with cancer.(AP Photo/John Bellissimmo, File) (JOHN BELLISSIMMO/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon performs with Collective Soul during Captain Planet Foundation's Annual Benefit Gala at Flourish Atlanta on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Atlanta. (Photo by John Amis/Invision for Captain Planet Foundation/AP Images) (John Amis/John Amis/Invision/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years The son and wife of singer, songwriter John Lennon, Julian, right, and Cynthia Lennon, left, at the unveiling of a European peace monument dedicated to the memory of ex-Beatle John Lennon in Chavasse Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday Oct. 9, 2010. The unveiling of a peace monument entitled Peace and Harmony celebrates what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday. (AP Photo/Tim Hales) (Tim Hales/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Julian Lennon through the years Songwriter, photographer and philanthropist Julian Lennon participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss his new children's picture book "Touch the Earth" at AOL Studios on Thursday, April 13, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA - Actress Whoppi Goldberg and Global Ambassador Julian Lennon seen at the Lupus Foundation of America's "Evening of Hope" Gala, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for Lupus Foundation of America/AP Images) (Mark Von Holden/Invision for Lupus Foundation of America)
Julian Lennon through the years This Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 photo fans take photos of Julian Lennon, left, at the opening of his photography exhibit at the Leica Store and Gallery Los Angeles, in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) (Richard Vogel/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon speaks at the Empire State Building to light the building purple for lupus awareness on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Julian Lennon through the years The son and wife of singer, songwriter John Lennon, Julian, left, and Cynthia Lennon, right, at the unveiling of a European peace monument dedicated to the memory of ex-Beatle John Lennon in Chavasse Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday Oct. 9, 2010. The unveiling of a peace monument entitled Peace and Harmony celebrates what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday. Inscription reads 'Peace on Earth for the Conservation of Life. In Harmony of John Lennon 1940-1980.' (AP Photo/Tim Hales) (Tim Hales/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Julian Lennon through the years Julian Lennon poses on the observation deck after lighting the Empire State Building purple for lupus awareness on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
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