Linda McCartney

Rock Singer

September 24, 1941

April 17, 1998

56

Linda McCartney was an American musician, photographer, and animal rights activist. She was best known as the wife of Paul McCartney, the former Beatle. Linda was a member of Paul McCartney’s band, Wings, and played keyboards. Additionally, she was a successful photographer who captured intimate images of rock stars, celebrities, politicians, and everyday life. Linda was also an advocate for animal welfare and published several vegetarian cookbooks. Her other works include charity work, several art exhibitions, and successful commercial photography commissions.

After Linda Eastman met Paul McCartney at a Georgie Fame concert in 1967, she began following the Beatles, and eventually met Paul again in May 1968. They married on March 12, 1969. Linda became Lady McCartney when her husband was knighted in 1997. Interestingly, according to Linda, she was named after her paternal grandmother, Leopoldina, but because of a mistake in a town registry office, her name was recorded as “Linda” instead.

One less known fact about Linda McCartney was that she was a trained musician and played several instruments, including the piano, the organ, the flute, and the recorder. Despite this, she was self-taught on the guitar and bass, and lacked confidence in her abilities. It wasn’t until she joined Paul McCartney’s band, Wings, that she gained the necessary experience and confidence to perform in front of large audiences. She played keyboards and provided backing vocals on many of Wings’ most popular songs.