Quotes from Julian Lennon

Anyone must remember that dad left when I was 3 years old. Mom and I lived out of the limelight. We lived a totally different life.

As much as I love music, in my mind, photography is what makes me the happiest - that's for sure.

Music's been with me from the get-go. It was always around me as a kid. Dad got me my first guitar when I was 11 and, at school, if you wanted to be cool you had to be in a band.

I don't meditate in any formal way, but I often lie in bed or find myself in nature and enter into that state of quiet where I get images, feelings, or melodies.

I realise myself that hate wastes a lot of time and energy, and I would rather re-direct any energy that I have to good and positive use.

If you bring a child into this world, whether it's planned or an accident, you'd better make sure you can care for it. You have to be around. You make time. It's as simple as that.

I think everyone has the potential to be creative, but they have to find the avenue or avenues that work for them.

I have a short temper - I think it's part of the Celtic background. I used to be a lot more angry, but I was quite discreet with it.

I've been a philanthropist for all my life, and... I've had many involvements in humanitarian and environmental issues.

I find it upsetting to see the erosion of manners. It's very scary. Where are the 'pleases' and 'thank yous?'

I have always felt that I have observed life in a different way to others... Music has always been one creative outlet for me, but now I'm happy to add another one too, that being photography

I live in a small apartment in London, not some big house with a lot of security. I don't like too much security. There's no freedom. I'm a person, not some precious diamond that needs guarding every second.

He wasn't a great father. He was a great musician. That's always been a touchy one, and it will be until I can find the answer, but I don't know if there is one.

I've done every kind of touring known to mankind. I've played the big and the small places.

On the one hand, I've had such a normal upbringing with my mum, who has kept me grounded, but on the other, the wild experiences through my dad.

I am not John Lennon; I never will be!

I am a complete mother's boy. I try to do everything with honour, respect and grace because the last thing I would want to do is hurt her.

I'm one of those people who snake through the crowd, keep my head low. I'm not looking for attention.

Dad could talk about peace and love out loud to the world, but he could never show it to the people who supposedly meant the most to him: his wife and son. How can you talk about peace and love and have a family in bits and pieces - no communication, adultery, divorce? You can't do it, not if you're being true and honest with yourself.

He was like a real dad, you know. We used to sit down with guitars and mess around.

I can't stay mad very long. I get grumpy when I read a bad review. I say, 'How could he say that about my music?' Then I forget about it. If I got mad every time somebody wrote something negative about me, I'd be exploding all the time. I'd be burned out just from reading reviews.

I had always thought of starting my own record company. I haven't regretted the decision - yet!

People are generally badly advised when they're starting out in the creative field.

I've found constancy and balance between creativity and normality.