Sean Ono Lennon believes one of the most influential catalogs in music history may no longer be a given for younger listeners.
In a recent interview with Anthony Mason on CBS Sunday Morning, the 50-year-old musician opened up about his growing concern that Gen Z is losing touch with The Beatles—and, by extension, the cultural impact of his late father, John Lennon.
Speaking with Mason, Sean explained that he now sees himself as part of a larger effort to keep that legacy visible. While the music remains widely available, he said cultural memory isn’t automatic. “I’m just doing my best to help make sure that the younger generation doesn’t forget about The Beatles and John and Yoko,” he said, describing the role as both personal and shared. “That’s how I look at it.”
What surprised Sean most was realizing that forgetting is actually possible. He pointed to a recent viral moment in which drummer Ringo Starr appeared briefly on a livestream and wasn’t recognized by the host. “Some people don’t know,” Sean said, noting that it was the first time he genuinely felt the legacy could fade.
To him, the issue goes beyond nostalgia. Sean compared The Beatles’ place in music history to how classic literature used to be taught in schools—crucial cultural work that requires intentional preservation. Without that effort, he suggested, even foundational art can slip out of collective awareness.
Sean said his motivation comes from gratitude. “My parents gave me so much that I think it’s the least I can do to try and support their legacy in my lifetime,” he said. “I feel like I just owe it to them. It’s a personal thing.”
He also described that legacy as more than chart-topping records. For Sean, it’s rooted in an approach to activism that blends conviction with humor and empathy—values championed by John and Yoko during their most outspoken years. That philosophy, he believes, still matters, especially as younger generations engage with social and political issues in new ways.
Now taking on responsibilities once handled by his 92-year-old mother, Sean acknowledged the pressure that comes with stewardship. But he views the work as necessary. “I think the Beatles’ music and John and Yoko’s legacy is something important for the world to cherish and be reminded of,” he said. “So, that’s how I see my job.”