The 'Lost Weekend' inspired writers, webmasters and bloggers to record rather extremist accounts of Lennon's time with May Pang. It was either totally "lost", Lennon was taking time out... or the 'Lost Weekend' was the "most creative period of Lennon's career".
I doubt if either of those accounts would suffice.
When you consider the earlier days of the Beatles, from their first album 'Please Please Me' through to 'Rubber Soul', Lennon and McCartney were extraordinarily prolific writers. Also, during that period, they were writing successful, chart performing songs for other artists. So the 'Lost Weekend' should be recorded more soberly.
Having said that, the 'Lost Weekend' was a particularly creative period for John Lennon.
David Bowie achieved his first U.S. #1 hit with "Fame" (Jan 1975) which he co-wrote with John Lennon... Lennon also contributed with vocals and guitar.
John Lennon collaborated with Elton John in 1974. Elton John covered the Beatles classic 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' with Lennon (under the name Dr. Winston O'Boogie) providing guitar and backing vocals.
Elton, who had previously played piano and organ plus sang backing vocals on Lennon's 'Whatever Gets You Thru The Night', also covered 'One Day at a Time', a track from Lennon's album 'Mind Games'.
In fact, Lennon's last live performance was with Elton John at Madison Square Garden (November 28, 1974).
Lennon and Elton enjoyed both a professional and a close personal relationship. Elton was the godfather of Lennon's son, Sean... and later, in 1982, Elton would write 'Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)', a tribute to John Lennon.
Lennon also produced Harry Nilsson's album 'Pussy Cats' during the 'Lost Weekend', but generally, reporters considered their drunken incidents at the Troubadour to be more press worthy.
In December 1974, George Harrison was in New York on the 'Dark Horse Tour'. Lennon originally agreed to join Harrison on stage, but the performance never eventuated after they'd argued over Lennon's refusal to sign the documents that would legally dissolve the Beatles, planned for the 19th December 1974, at New York's Plaza Hotel.
While on holiday with May, at Disney World in Florida, Lennon did finally sign the documents that would legally dissolve the Beatles.
The fourth solo album by Ringo Starr 'Goodnight Vienna' (1974) also featured Lennon. 'Goodnight Vienna' was written by Lennon and he contributed on piano. Lennon played guitar on both 'All By Myself' and 'Only You' and he wrote the 'reprise' to 'Goodnight Vienna'.
Paul McCartney dropped by at Burbank Studios and an impromptu jam session began which was later bootlegged as 'A Toot and a Snore'. It also featured Stevie Wonder.
Personal issues were being address during the 'Lost Weekend'. Encouraged by May, Lennon spent considerable time with his son, Julian, whom he had not seen in four years.
Another fact that must be considered about the so called 'Lost Weekend' was that the Lennon/Pang relationship was not altogether secretive. In fact their profile was quite high as they were photographed together many times... both at private occasions and at public venues.
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