Tribute to Linda

Linda Louise Eastman McCartney

September 24, 1941 - April 17, 1998

On April 17, 1998, Linda McCartney died in the arms of her husband of 29 years, Paul McCartney, and was surrounded by their four children, Heather, Mary, Stella, and James, in their Arizona home. Twenty years ago today. Before and after Linda's death, hardly anything was known of the relationship between Linda and Cynthia (and Julian). I do know that they have met a few times and that's what I am going to explore as a tribute to Linda. So, let's start from the beginning:

Linda was living in Arizona when the Beatles became popular in America- it was where she bought her first album of theirs and became a fan. She also developed a crush on John Lennon. In 1965, newly divorced Linda moved to New York where she was born and raised with her young daughter Heather and in August of that year, she saw the Beatles perform live at Shea Stadium. It wasn't until May of 1967 when Linda met John… and she wasn't exactly impressed

“I guess I wanted to say something controversial, and maybe I thought Linda was being a bit blase about Chris [Stamp, The Who’s manager], so I added, 'After him, you could have almost anybody in the world.' And she said, 'Oh well, maybe I'll marry one of the Beatles.' I asked, 'Which one?' and she answered, 'John Lennon?' So I told her, 'He's married,' and she said, 'Paul McCartney?', and that's how it went.” 

Pete Townshend 

(1998, based on a conversation he had with Linda in the Spring of 1967)

"It was John who interested me at the start. He was my Beatle hero. But when I met him the fascination faded fast and I found it was Paul I liked." 

Linda McCartney

"In retrospect, it's strange to think that back in 1965 John was my favorite Beatle. I can even remember sitting in a car in New York one night and thinking that if I could meet just one person in the world I would like it to be John Lennon because he seemed so confident and so artistic. When I did eventually meet him he was totally lacking in confidence and was very nervous. It showed me that people are often not what they seem at first."

Linda McCartney

"My wife, I wasn't her favorite Beatle, John was" 

Paul McCartney

Julian, Photographed by Linda

By the time Linda became a regular fixture in the Beatles’ Family Circle, John and Cynthia were already separated, divorcing, and John was with Yoko Ono. Somewhere in that time frame, Linda went to John's home in Weybridge and took a photo of Julian- it may be very well the first time Linda met Julian. I should note that the picture of Julian was from Linda's second photography book, Photographs, published in 1982; she listed that it was taken in Weybridge during 1967 but that honestly makes no sense. Yes, John and Linda met in May of 1967 while she was there for a few days to take pictures of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album launch after being invited by Brian Epstein. However, I can't imagine John inviting someone he barely knew to come over to his house to take a picture of his son… then again, he spent a good part of that year high as a kite on marijuana and LSD, he did bring home people from clubs to keep on partying but in this case, Linda was known not to be the best record keeper of her photographs, so they weren't organized, labeled, or anything. In 1968, when Linda became Paul's official girlfriend, Cynthia was moving out of Weybridge and John and Yoko moved back in for the remainder of the year so that time frame makes sense for Linda to take Julian's picture when he visited his dad.

After remarrying to Roberto Bassanini in 1970, Cynthia threw a housewarming party: John and Yoko, George and Pattie Harrison, Ringo and Maureen Starr, Paul and Linda attended. That must have been when Cynthia and Linda first met. Afterwards, Paul and Linda started on their music career, forming Wings, recording, touring around the world, and expanding their family while Cynthia led a private and quiet life raising Julian and trying to make ends meet.

In 1974, John was living in America and separated from Yoko while living with May Pang, alternating between Los Angeles and New York City. In December of 1974, Paul and Linda with their daughters visited John and May while Julian was visiting in New York. Julian also saw George in concert and met up with George backstage while John and May were at Linda's father's home where Julian called with a message from George (there was some drama between John and George, but more about that some other time on a different subject matter). So, I guess Julian may have spoken to Lee Eastman when he picked up the phone to pass over to John?

In 1985, for some reason, Linda sent Cynthia a postcard to say hello and invite her over for tea. I don't know if Cynthia and Linda ever had their tea date, but it's nice to know that Cynthia was invited and thought of by Linda.

On January 14, 1990, Cynthia saw Paul and Linda in concert at Wembley Stadium in London. I wish I can elaborate more on this but that's all I got- I don't know if Cynthia went backstage or to the after party or anything other than attendance.

In April of 1997, almost a year before Linda's death, Paul sent Julian an advance copy of his record Flaming Pie with a note that Linda added her own little love note on the paper. Julian also revealed over the years that he had gotten Birthday and Christmas cards from Paul.

After Linda's death, there were reports on Julian covering the Beatles’ Blackbird for a record dedicated to Linda and proceeds for charity.

"I didn't know Linda that well, but she and Paul showed that it was possible to remain together. It's the only way to survive a relationship in this industry; it's too difficult without that. Either you don't have the support of the distance is too great that in a time of need, you fall apart. The only way that doesn't happen is if you're side by side all the way." 

Julian, 1999

As for Cynthia, she barely spoke of Linda other than a passing mention in her 2005 autobiography book John about Paul marrying Linda after he vowed to remain in touch with Cynthia. I am very certain that Cynthia felt very sad over Linda's death but I can't say that they were very close other than friendly encounters and that bond of Wives’ sisterhood club.

If you have any additional information on Linda and Cynthia's relationship, I very much would like to know more. Please feel free to comment!