Beatle Paul’s hidden photos

Peter Howell

Movie Critic

As a photographer, Paul McCartney makes an excellent musician.

The many rough and random images in his new photo scrapbook, “1964: Eyes of the Storm,” attest to this.

I don’t mean to slag Sir Paul. On the contrary, I’m relieved that the billionaire musical genius behind “Yesterday,” “Eleanor Rigby” and scores of other classic pop tunes isn’t also a world-class cameraman. That would somehow feel unfair in the cosmic scheme of things. Instead, McCartney proves himself to be a charming photographer and storyteller.

The affectionate recollections prompted by what amount to travel snaps of very famous people are more fascinating than the images, which will also be featured in an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, with plans for a global tour. The book includes an essay by Harvard professor and author Jill Lepore that is heavy with historical context.

There are 275 photos in “1964: Eyes of the Storm,” most of them backstage and in-transit portraits of fellow Beatles John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr (who has released his own books, including 2015’s “Photographs” from Genesis Publications). Most of these images have never been seen publicly. Recently rediscovered by McCartney in his voluminous archives, they fill him — and will fill fans, too — with fond memories.

Beneath two youthful pics of now departed bandmates Lennon and Harrison, McCartney writes, “I love and miss them both dearly.” 🌓

Full review: https://bit.ly/3JvBrre