Paul McCarthy has always loved photography. He even in the feature films A Hard Day’s Night and Help! (“Help!”), where The Beatles were filmed, McCarthy often runs across the frame with a camera. Yes, and the first wife of the musician Linda is a professional photographer, thanks to which they met … And now Sir Paul decided to declassify his archives and at the same time delve into his diary entries.
This photo book “Epicenter of the Storm” (as the title is translated) has a subtitle “1964”, that is, it is about the first storm “Beatlemania”.
In fact, in late 1963-early 1964, The Beatles went on their first big tour: they sang, walked through cities, met other musicians, and ran away from violent female fans. And Paul McCartney filmed it all with his camera.
The book will include 275 photographs from that glorious era, taken in six cities: Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington and Miami. It was there that Paul, John, George and Ringo performed.
The Ground Zero preface was written by McCartney himself and Harvard historian and publicist Jill Lepore. Sir Paul also commented on the images, he talked about the episodes that accompanied them.
Why did it take so long to read this book?
As the musician himself explained, the 35mm film was lost almost 60 years ago. And found only last year.
Maybe the 1965 and 1966 movies will also meet soon?
Direct speech
Paul McCartney, musician and writer:
– Everyone who rediscovers a personal heirloom or family treasure is instantly filled with memories and emotions, which then evoke associations buried in the mists of time. It was my experience of viewing these photographs, taken during a busy three month travel period, culminating in February 1964. It was great to be back!
And now I present to you my own account of our first big world tour. In fact, The Beatles’ photo revue of how we visited six cities, starting with Liverpool and London, continuing to Paris (where for three years after that John and I just “hitchhiked”), and continuing with our first visit as a group to the usa
By the way
The first printing of the book will go on sale on June 13, just five days before Sir Paul’s 83rd birthday. And photographs of him can be seen in the exhibition, which opens at London’s National Portrait Gallery on June 28 and runs through October 1.
