“I
had daydreams and fantasies when I was growing up. I always wanted to live in a
log cabin at the foot of a mountain. I would ride my horse to town and pick up
provisions. Then return to the cabin, with a big open fire, a record player and
peace”
Linda Eastman was born in New York on the 24th September, 1941. As a child she developed her lifelong passions for animals and music. She studied art at university and married fellow student, Joseph Melville See. Whilst studying in Arizona Linda attended a photography class and became fascinated with the medium. Following her divorce from See, Linda and her young daughter, Heather, moved back to New York where Linda found a job working for 'Town and Country' magazine. Whilst working there she came across an invitation to a Rolling Stones press conference. Linda went along with her camera and was the only photographer allowed to photograph the band. Her pictures of the Stones were in high demand and she began taking on free lance work, photographing both local and international groups. In 1967 she travelled to England to do a series for the book 'Rock and Other Four Letter Words'. By chance she met Beatle Paul McCartney in a nightclub and they were instantly taken with each other. A few days later Linda was invited to take photos at the Sgt. Pepper launch party. She and Paul spent the evening talking together and they began a relationship the following year. They were married in March 1969 and welcomed a baby daughter, Mary, later in the year.
In the early seventies Linda and Paul released the album RAM as a duo and went on to form the band 'Wings'. Linda sang, played the keyboard and synthesiser and co-wrote many of the bands songs. She became a passionate vegetarian and animal rights activist and created her own range of frozen vegetarian meals. Throughout her life Linda continued with her photography and published several books and was featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries. Tragically Linda passed away, from a long battle with breast cancer, in 1998. Following her death Paul released an album of her solo work titled, Wide Prairie.
Linda was one of the most successful photographers, in what was a largely male dominated industry, during the 1960s. She was the first woman to have a photo (of Eric Clapton) published on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. Her interest in people's personalities is evident in her work, and many of her subjects commented on how at ease she made them feel, as if she were a friend and not a photographer. She photographed all the major musicians of the day, including, The Beatles, The Kinks, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Doors. Her other favourite subjects were animals, children, nature and, of course, Paul!
Linda was a strong woman who made a life for herself and her child as a single mother. She remained strong when many aimed cruel criticism at her for marrying Paul. She was an American divorcee, and many fans couldn't understand what Paul saw in her. But Linda remained kind hearted and passionate. She didn't pay attention to others opinions of her, she just lived her life. Her relationship with Paul proved to be loving and enduring, they raised four children together and supported each other through everything that came their way. Paul credited Linda with helping him through his nervous breakdown, suffered following the breakup of the Beatles, she supported and encouraged him to start writing again.
Throughout her life Linda remained true to herself. She pursued her interests, photography, music and animals, with her distinctive, passionate vision. She was a loving, caring mother and wife and became a pioneer in her chosen fields. Though she was often dogged by unfair criticism she continued to do what she loved, forging a path for herself in often difficult professions.
“I
don’t need a lot of money. Simplicity is the answer for me”
No comments:
Post a Comment