Photographer Spotlight, Pt. 1: Linda McCartney
This month’s Photographer Spotlight seems to be appropriate, in a way, considering this month marks the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP. I didn’t choose this artist for her Beatles connection. I had begun work on this spotlight weeks ago, not even thinking about the Beatles. Ever since discovering Linda McCartney’s photographic works, I’ve been a fan, and decided my next spotlight artist was to be her.
Linda as a young girl, photographer unknown (if you do know who shot this image, please let me know, and I will duly credit the photographer!)
A Brief Bio
Linda Louise, Lady McCartney (née Eastman, September 24, 1941 – April 17, 1998) was an American musician, photographer, animal rights activist, entrepreneur and publisher who was married to Paul McCartney of the Beatles. Her father, Leopold Vail Epstein, was born in 1910 to Jewish Russian immigrants.[6] He later changed his name to Lee Eastman.[5] He practiced entertainment law in New York for well-known clients, including bandleader Tommy Dorsey, songwriters Harold Arlen and Jack Lawrence, and fine artists such as Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko.
A young girl who loved horses and was an excellent horsewoman, McCartney grew up in the affluent Scarsdale town of Westchester County, New York, graduating from Scarsdale High School in 1959. Following high school, McCartney attended Vermont College, receiving an Associate of Arts degree in 1961. After graduating from Vermont College, she attended the University of Arizona, majoring in Fine Arts. While there, McCartney's mother died in the 1962 crash of American Airlines Flight 1 in Queens, New York. McCartney later said that because of her mother's death, she hated travelling by air. In Arizona she took up nature photography as a hobby.
She'd had a brief marriage to Melville See, with whom she had a daughter, Heather McCartney. , After her mother died in 1962, and newly divorced from See, she moved back to Manhattan, New York, with their daughterr. McCartney's mother left her money to live on along with a number of valuable paintings.She found a job as a receptionist and editorial assistant for Town & Country magazine.
And that is where her hobby became a career, and her passion.
Brian Jones and Mick Jagger, Linda's first assignment for Town & Country magazine, New York, 1966, © L. McCartney
On one occasion, when the magazine received an invitation to photograph the Rolling Stones during a record promotion party on a yacht, she immediately volunteered to represent the publication as its photographer. The photo shoot marked a turning point in her life:
"I was the only photographer they allowed on the yacht," Linda recalled, " I just kept clicking away with the camera, and they enjoyed it and I enjoyed it, and suddenly I found that taking pictures was a great way to live and a great way to work."
Her father, however, was not impressed with her goal of becoming a photographer on her own. He wanted her to at least take some formal training with a professional. "Well, I never had the patience for that," she said. "I had to trust my feelings." She did however study the photography of horses at college in Arizona under Hazel Larson Archer, and became at that time an avid nature hobbyist, using a high quality Leica camera. A few months after her Rolling Stones shoot, she was allowed back stage at Shea Stadium where the Beatles performed.
Meeting Paul on assignment for Town & Country magazine, at the Bag O' Nails Club, for the Sgt Pepper release, 1967 (photographer unknown, please let me know who and I will gladly credit.)
On May 15, 1967, while on a photo assignment in London, Eastman met Paul McCartney a tthe Bag O'Nails club where Georgie Fame was performing. They met again four days later at the launch party for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band at Brian Epstein's house. When her assignment was completed, she flew back to New York City.
They got together again the following May in New York, while he and John Lennon were there to inaugurate Apple Records. A few weeks after he returned to London he invited her to spend some time with him there. When she arrived, they went to his home where they spent the evening. "He must have been really happy that night," said one of the fans who often loitered outside his home. "He sat on the windowsill with his acoustic guitar and sang 'Blackbird' to us" from his upstairs room."
They were married in a small civil ceremony in the Marylebone area of London on March 12, 1969. During the 29 years of their marriage, they had four children: in addition to her daughter Heather from her first marriage (who Paul later formally adopted), Paul was the biological father of Mary (born in London August 28, 1969), Stella (born September 13, 1971) and James (born September 12, 1977 in London).
Paul and Linda McCartney on their farm in Scotland during sessions for Wings' Ram LP. (Photographer unknown, photo courtesy of Rolling Stone
Paul was attracted to her for a number of reasons, he explained: "I liked her as a woman, she was good-looking with a good figure, so physically I was attracted to her." But he also liked her sense of independence: "Her mental attitude was quite rebellious...[growing up] she was the kind of kid who would hang out in the kitchen with the black maids" to learn cooking. She disliked socializing. They both liked natural surroundings, he said, and they shared a love of nature, which became one of their most important emotional links. He knew that because of her "very free spirit," she was considered a rebel and a black sheep by her family for avoiding excelling in education, unlike her father and brother. "She was an artist," Paul said, "and was not cut out to be an academic." (Wikipedia)
Linda's Portrait Photography
Now that I’ve gotten that bit out of the way, let me get back to Linda’s photography!
In Part 1 of this series, we’re taking a look at some of Linda’s more well-known work, portraits and candid shots, of musicians, family, and other people Linda has known and had the privilege working with throughout her life.
Although I'm not a portrait photographer myself, I do admire McCartney's work. Her collection of portraiture varies widely: from her images of the famous, to the touching, gentle warmth of family moments. I love the way she was able to present her subjects in moods we, the general public and fans, didn't get the opportunity to see, as though with their guard down. Even though their faces, their performances, and their appearances in the limelight were mostly what you and I knew of them, McCartney was able to capture another side of each subject.
I'm not certain all the rambling I could offer here would do justice or explain what I see in her portraits. With that thought, I'll leave you to peruse Linda's photos, and let each speak for itself.
With maybe a little commentary here and there.
I know. Sometimes I can't help myself.
Jimi Hendrix, 1968, © L. McCartney
Mick Jagger, 1966, © L. McCartney
Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw, Jamaica, 1973, © L. McCartney
Eric Clapton in London in 1968, © L. McCartney
Jim Morrison © L. McCartney
Janis Joplin, © L. McCartney
Aretha Franklin, Los Angeles, 1968, © L. McCartney
Al Pacino, © L. McCartney
George Harrison in a lighthearted moment, 1968, © L. McCartney
Neil Young, 1968, © L. McCartney. Linda shot this image of Neil and he used it on his album, "Sugar Mountain Live at Canterbury House".
Keith Moon of The Who, in a pensive mood, 1967, © L. McCartney. A rare quiet moment with the madman drummer.
Forntman Morrison of The Doors, along with Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, New York, 1967, © L. McCartney
Johnny Depp and Kate Moss, London, 1995, © L. McCartney
Paul, Ringo, and George in the studio, © L. McCartney
The Beatles, Twickenham Studios, London, 1969, © L. McCartney
If I have missed iconic portraits here, it is only because there are simply too many to be able to share in a simple blog post. Linda over her career had access to shoot so many well known musicians and actors, both posed and candids, and always managed to portray them stunningly.
Lovely work, agreed? For more of Linda McCartney's photography, and more biographical information, just click the following links, some of which have also been my resources for this Spotlight series:
COMING UP: PART 2, LINDA'S LOVE FOR ALL THINGS FAMILY
In Part 2, we'll take a look at some of Linda's more intimate images. Linda was deeply devoted to family, and as a wife and mother myself, I think my favorite McCartney images are those she took of home and family.
Please feel free to comment below! What have you discovered in Linda McCartney's portrait collection that moves you? Tell me!