‘I feel John here’: Yoko Ono’s tribute to Lennon as she visits former homes

Yoko Ono has paid a moving tribute to her former husband John Lennon, as she returned to two of his childhood homes on an emotional trip down memory lane.

The 85-year-old appeared frail as she leaned on a male companion’s arm, but flashed a wide smile to fans and photographers in Liverpool on Friday.

The artist, who was married to The Beatles star from 1969 until he tragically died in 1980, had flown from New York to open a museum show in his memory, full of personal pieces she’s kept in her own collection.

Wearing a black thick jacket, white jeans and a hat, Yoko was wrapped up against any potential chill, but looked in fairly good spirits as she walked inside.

Read more: John Lennon’s wish for Yoko Ono finally answered

Once there, she shared a photo on her late husband’s old bed, and wrote: “This is John’s room in Menlove Avenue. I feel John here with me…I love you John. Yoko.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi6fFTbAecd/?hl=en&taken-by=yokoonoofficial

The photo captures one of the late star’s guitars in the background, along with a wood cabinet and a big canvas on the wall. Yoko herself had previously owned the property, having bought it at auction in 2002, before donating it to the National Trust to preserve it.

She also reportedly owns Lennon’s earliest home, at 9 Newcastle Road, and she paid that a visit too after buying it at auction in 2013. Lennon lived there until he was five years old, before he moved to the Mendips home to live with his Aunt Mimi, following his parents’ break-up.

Yoko is due to open her show, Double Fantasy – John and Yoko, in the city – in memory not just of Lennon, but his success with the world famous band too.

According to the Mail Online, it will include Lennon’s iconic wire-framed glasses, a rare Sardonyx guitar he used on the album Double Fantasy, and the pair’s own artwork.

“This is where John was born and I know John would be very happy too,” she previously said in a statement to Liverpool Museums. “We were a very simple couple just loving each other every day and I just wanted to show the simple truth of us.

Read more: It’s been 37 years since we lost music icon John Lennon

“In our personal life we were pretty simple people, and we made all sorts of things with love for each other. Everything was made out of love.

“We found that we were both very strongly interested in world peace. I feel John and I are still working together. I always feel his warmth next to me.”

Do you remember Lennon and Yoko Ono’s high-profile marriage? Were you a Beatles fan?