Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–1964: Eyes of the Storm Unveils Rare View into The Beatles’ Legendary Journey to Fame
Nearly 60 years after The Beatles’ final concert at Candlestick Park, Beatlemania returns to San Francisco
de Young museum / March 1 – July 6, 2025
Paul McCartney. Self-portrait. London, 1963. Pigmented inkjet print. Collection of the artist. © 1963 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP
Nearly 60 years after The Beatles performed their final concert at Candlestick Park, Beatlemania is back in the Bay. Organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, and presented exclusively in California at the de Young museum, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–1964: Eyes of the Storm will present more than 250 personal photos by Paul McCartney, video clips, and archival materials, that offer a behind-the-scenes look into the meteoric rise of the world’s most celebrated band.
“In Eyes of the Storm, recently unearthed photographs by Paul McCartney provide a rare time capsule of The Beatles’ world at the moment of their extraordinary rise to fame,” remarked Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “Well known as one of the world’s most famous musical stars, it is a revelation to discover McCartney’s proficiency as a photographer, documenting everything from the band’s quieter moments and friendships to the ‘Beatlemania’ of the time. We’re honored to present this exhibition here in San Francisco, where The Beatles left an indelible mark on our city’s musical and cultural history.”
Eyes of the Storm captures a period from December 1963 through February 1964 when The Beatles performed in concert halls across England and toured in the United States. McCartney’s images reveal the intensity of life on tour, as The Beatles were whisked from concerts to hotels, trailed by enthusiastic fans from New York to Miami. Photographs of screaming crowds and paparazzi illustrate the sheer magnitude of the group’s superstardom. In stark contrast, behind-closed-doors images captured by McCartney highlight the humor and individuality of the band members on their days off. Eyes of the Storm invites visitors to witness The Beatles’ journey to stardom, from local venues in Liverpool to the Ed Sullivan Show and worldwide acclaim. McCartney’s photographs of the four band members existed as unprinted negatives and contact sheets for 60 years. Rediscovered in the artist’s personal archive in 2020, these images offer new insight into the band, their fans, and the early 1960s, as seen through the eyes of Paul McCartney.
“In this exhibition, we glimpse McCartney both behind and in front of the lens, as he bears witness to a pivotal cultural moment through the camera with a keen artistic eye,” said organizing curator Sally Martin Katz. “From portraiture to landscapes and documentary shots, McCartney demonstrates a deep understanding of the formal styles prevalent in early 1960s photography. Throughout the exhibition, nods to New Wave, documentary filmmaking, and photojournalism underscore McCartney’s multifaceted approach to capturing the spirit of the time.”
Opening March 1, 2025 at the de Young museum, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm will run through July 6.
About Paul McCartney
Born in Liverpool, England, Paul McCartney rose to prominence as a founding member of The Beatles. Throughout his lifetime, McCartney has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of popular music and culture.
Exhibition Organization Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–1964: Eyes of the Storm is organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, in collaboration with Paul McCartney. It is curated by Paul McCartney with Sarah Brown for MPL Communications and Rosie Broadley for the National Portrait Gallery, London. The presentation at the de Young museum is organized by coordinating curator Sally Martin Katz.
Presenting Sponsor
John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn
Lead Sponsor
Michael Taylor Trust
Major Support
Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund
Generous Support
Nick and Sandra Javaras
Additional support is provided by Jan and Bob Newman.
About the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, comprising the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public arts institution in San Francisco.
The de Young museum originated from the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition in Golden Gate Park. The present copper-clad landmark building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, opened in 2005. Reflecting an active conversation among cultures, perspectives, and time periods, the collections on view include American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from the 17th to the 21st centuries; arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas; costume and textile arts; and international modern and contemporary art.
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are located on land unceded by the Ramaytush Ohlone, who are the original inhabitants of what is now the San Francisco Peninsula. The greater Bay Area is also the ancestral territory of other Ohlone peoples, as well as the Miwok, Yokuts, and Patwin. We acknowledge, recognize, and honor the Indigenous ancestors, elders, and descendants whose nations and communities have lived in the Bay Area over many generations and continue to do so today. We respect the enduring relationships that exist between Indigenous peoples and their homelands. We are committed to partnering with Indigenous communities to raise awareness of their legacy and engage with the history of the region, the impacts of genocide, and the dynamics of settler colonialism that persist today.
Media Contact
Morgan Braitberg, Publicist, press@famsf.org