Beatlemania Hits the de Young at Preview of Paul McCartney Photography Show

On February 27 more than 1,000 donors, members, artists and exhibition sponsors gathered for an unforgettable reception honoring Paul McCartney Photographs: 1963-64 Eyes of the Storm. At the party and exhibit preview, guests caught a glimpse into the breathtaking rise of Beatlemania through the lens of Paul McCartney, who documented The Beatles’ first US trip from December 1963 to February 1964, with his 35mm Pentax camera.

McCartney’s photographs constitute a visual diary of this pivotal moment in popular culture, offering new perspectives on the band, their fans and the early 1960s. The exhibition, organized by the National Portrait Gallery London, also includes archive materials and exclusive video footage to supplement the 250 photos on display. Snapshots of screaming crowds and hordes of paparazzi illustrate the magnitude of the group’s superstardom. These photographs existed as unprinted negatives for 60 years, and can now be seen as a collection for the first time in this show. Paul McCartney Photographs: 1963-64 Eyes of the Storm will be on exhibit at the de Young until July 6. Visit ticketing.famsf.org; tickets start at $35, members have free admission.