Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era (Hardcover)

by Linda McCartney (Author), Paul McCartney (Contributor), David Bailey (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Glee at the destruction of convention and morality, "all that made America great," pervades these intense photographs by an entranced chronicler of the 1960s pop-music scene in America. McCartney early on filched an invitation to a Rolling Stones party concert invitation and soon became the main lensperson at Manhattan's Fillmore East and on the road with top groups--Beatles, Stones, Doors, Cream, Jefferson Airplane et al. The photos show McCartney to have been a talented photojournalist, but her subjects here are so busy breaking rhythmic barriers, assuming attitudes, striking poses and being ungroomed that they are pictorial in their own right. Her accompanying recollections, including those of life with husband Paul and the Beatles, are uncluttered and minimally worshipful. An important item for unreconstructed members of the Woodstock generation.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Independent of her status as Mrs. Paul McCartney and former keyboard player/backup vocalist with the post-Beatles group Wings, McCartney has cultivated a successful photographic career. She is an intimate of the rock luminaries documented in this coffee-table album of 221 duotone and 32 color photographs, most of which were previously unpublished. A devotee of natural light and the spontaneous moment, the sum of McCartney's photographs--unlike the highly stylized and technically manipulated rock portraits of Annie Leibovitz--reflect a relaxed and unforced quality. Portraits include a 19-year-old Jackson Browne mugging, a stunning Jimi Hendrix in performance, Bob Dylan scratching his ear, Frank Zappa holding his baby daughter Moon Unit, and Janis Joplin hoisting a bottle of Southern Comfort. The photographs constitute a lush and lovely family album. More often than not, however, the author's accompanying text has the distracting presence of a boring slide show. This is a luxury acquisition for big budgets. The unsurpassed meat and potatoes picture book is still Michael Ochs's Rock Archives ( LJ 12/84).
- Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., Tex.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (October 13, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821219596
• ISBN-13: 978-0821219591
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 11.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #319,659 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Natural Light, Natural Rock, Natural Beauty, November 23, 1999

By A Customer

I first saw this book at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and was amazed at the photographs. Mrs. McCartney didn't seem to take posed pictures with bright lights in the musician's eyes. She used natural light and caught the musicians in their natural state. I love this book so much because of the honest quality to the photos. I'd definately recommend it!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb photos, often revealing text, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era (Paperback)

Linda McCartney was a good rock photographer--this should not be forgotten.

Her book "Linda McCartney's Sixties" documents her abilities as well as the access she had to many critical 60s performers. Being an attractive woman with a camera was a bit of an anomaly back then, and Linda took full advantage of this.

Approaching musicians with a combination of wide-eyed interest and complete understanding of the games involved in the business, she combined an artistic sense with insight into the characters of the scene. Her photos of Traffic are some of the best ever taken of the group; one can also say the same for her photos of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Janis Joplin.

The text doesn't always tell as much as the reader would want to know. Linda McCartney was a fascinating figure who saw an awful lot of history, but doesn't always place herself fully in the stories she relates. This is too bad; it appears that her personality was a big part of the value and success of her work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done!!, March 21, 2005

By	Mary James (Minneapolis MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era (Paperback)

What a unique and delightful compilation Linda has put together in this book. It has a very "homey" feel, very comfortable and relaxed. Linda definitely had a feel for the right moment to snap the picture - these are as natural as anyone could hope for. What a kick to see so many of these people when they were so young and still often unknown. The family photos are gorgeous and a rare treat. Linda's chatty tone with the text makes it seem as personal and ordinary as sitting down in the kitchen together with a cuppa tea.