AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM
NATALIE SENIOR GREENBERG
The band had just wrapped up their tour through the UK, and already had a hit single, but they had no idea that their arrival would be met at the airport by over 4,000 screaming fans. When they arrived at the television studio for the “Ed Sullivan Show,” they could not believe that they would be playing to an audience of over 73 million! The photographs show us what it was like to look through McCartney’s eyes while the Beatles were growing to be the world’s most famous band.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm, now at the Brooklyn Museum, showcases more than 250 of McCartney’s photos, which were recently rediscovered in his archives. Alongside the photographs are video clips and archival materials that serve as a personal and historical record of this period of time in the band’s history. The photos reveal Paul McCartney’s unique perspective from behind the camera lens, while at the same time paparazzi and fans took their own photos of the band members.
Paul McCartney’s archivist, Sarah Brown found the photographs in his library. McCartney thought the photos has been lost or stolen, but always remembered that he had taken them in the early years. There were over 1,000 photographs that the musician had taken from December 7, 1963 to February 21, 1964.
The Brooklyn Museum show, which began in London at the National Portrait Gallery, takes us through The Beatles tour of the United States and Canada from August 19 to September 20, 1964. They held 32 concerts, which included venues in Hollywood, Colorado, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, and Jacksonville and ended in Miami. McCartney used color film for the Miami photos, perhaps because the city was so filled with color and he wanted his photos to reflect the vibrancy of Miami. We need to remember that the Beatles grew up in post-war England, and the country was just getting back to feeling joyful. The Beatles music allowed the Brits to feel happiness after so much wartime misery.
The photographs are nostalgic in the way that a family album might be. The 4 members of the group were so young, and only had each other to lean on during a time when their lives were changing so quickly and so dramatically.
If you are a photography fan, you will enjoy this show because McCartney was skilled with the camera. He had studied photography in art school before joining the band. And if you are a Beatles fan, this show is a must!
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm will be on display at the Brooklyn Museum from May 3, 2024 to August 18, 2024. Advanced tickets are recommended.
Natalie Senior Greenberg is a former Brooklyn College Art History professor. She currently volunteers to teach Art History at the SBH Senior Division.
