The Other J. Lennon

Keith Pritchett of Pensacola, Fla., asks, 'Whatever happened to ... '

When "Valotte," his first album, was released in 1984, critics thought Julian Lennon was on his way to duplicating the success of his father, Beatle John Lennon. But the son of Lennon's first marriage, to Cynthia Powell, stumbled with his next effort, "The Secret Value of Daydreaming" (1986). "Mr. Jordan" (1989) and "Help Yourself" (1991) did no better.

This past May, Mr. Lennon jumped back onstage with the European release of "Photograph Smile." He also announced plans to open a series of nightclubs called The Revolution.

Lennon's seven-year hiatus from the spotlight would have been complete except for a cameo role as a bartender in "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995) and a voiceover on a half-hour children's special in Britain. (He played The Little Teapot.)

"After eight straight years of touring," says Lennon publicist Stephen Emms, Julian "had had enough of the music industry and took some time out to travel." Three years ago, Lennon began recording again.

"I have it all in perspective now," Lennon recently told Mr. Emms, meaning that now he knows there is life outside the music industry.