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1964: Eyes of the Storm
“Millions of eyes were suddenly upon us, creating a picture I will never forget.� ―Paul McCartney Taken with a 35mm camera by Paul McCartney, these largely unseen photographs capture the explosive period, from the end of 1963 through early 1964, in which The Beatles became an international sensation and changed the course of music history. Featuring 275 images from the six cities―Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami―of these legendary months, 1964: Eyes of the Storm also includes: � A personal foreword in which McCartney recalls the pandemonium of British concert halls, followed by the hysteria that greeted the band on its first American visit � Candid recollections preceding each city portfolio that form an autobiographical account of the period McCartney remembers as the “Eyes of the Storm,� plus a coda with subsequent events in 1964 � “Beatleland,� an essay by Harvard historian and New Yorker essayist Jill Lepore, describing how The Beatles became the first truly global mass culture phenomenon Handsomely designed, 1964: Eyes of the Storm creates an intensely dramatic record of The Beatles� first transatlantic trip, documenting the radical shift in youth culture that crystallized in 1964. “You could hold your camera up to the world, in 1964. But what madness would you capture, what beauty, what joy, what fury?� ―Jill Lepore 275 images
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 13, 2023
81 people are currently reading
924 people want to read
About the author
Paul McCartney
1,078books473followersSir James Paul McCartney MBE, known as Paul McCartney, is an English singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, entrepreneur, painter, record producer, film producer, and animal-rights activist. He gained worldwide fame as one of the founders and members of The Beatles. McCartney and John Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and "wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history". After leaving The Beatles, McCartney launched a successful solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife, Linda Eastman McCartney, and songwriter/singer Denny Laine. He has worked on film scores, classical music, and ambient/electronic music; released a large catalogue of songs as a solo artist; and taken part in projects to help international charities.
McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. His song "Yesterday" is listed as the most covered song in history and has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. (Three charity singles have since surpassed it in sales; the first to do so—in 1984—was Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", whose participants included McCartney.)
His company MPL Communications owns the copyrights to more than 3,000 songs, including all of the songs written by Buddy Holly, along with the publishing rights to such musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease.
An iconic figure in contemporary culture, he is regarded internationally as an entertainer and humanitarian. Aside from his musical work, McCartney is an actor, a painter, a poet, and an advocate for animal rights, vegetarianism, and music education; he is active in campaigns against landmines, seal hunting, and Third World debt.
McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. His song "Yesterday" is listed as the most covered song in history and has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. (Three charity singles have since surpassed it in sales; the first to do so—in 1984—was Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", whose participants included McCartney.)
His company MPL Communications owns the copyrights to more than 3,000 songs, including all of the songs written by Buddy Holly, along with the publishing rights to such musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease.
An iconic figure in contemporary culture, he is regarded internationally as an entertainer and humanitarian. Aside from his musical work, McCartney is an actor, a painter, a poet, and an advocate for animal rights, vegetarianism, and music education; he is active in campaigns against landmines, seal hunting, and Third World debt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
October 9, 2023
"'We were all on this ship in the 60's, not just the Beatles, but our movement, our generation,'" John Lennon later said. 'And of course we went somewhere.' Quite where is harder to say." -- historian Jill Lepore, on page 31
Well, it's easy to know exactly where the Fab Four went in thanks to Sir Paul's latest offering titled 1964: Eyes of the Storm. Hopping between a sextet of cities (Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington D.C., Miami) throughout January and February 1964, McCartney sparingly documented the Beatles' extended road trip - which notably was the group's first visit to America, including their initial evening on The Ed Sullivan Show, viewed by record-number 73 million folks - by also bringing along his Pentax camera during the candid downtime and offstage moments. Although presented mostly in black-and-white snapshots, McCartney switched to color film during their final brief respite in Miami Beach, resulting in something akin to a blast of warm air. There are a number of great spontaneous pictures - a laughing Brian Epstein (all the more poignant because we now know what a troubled man he was), excited female teenage fans caught in a moment of realization as the limousines arrive, and even a bespectacled John Lennon (as he despised being photographed in his glasses). This was a wonderful book presenting a truly behind-the-scenes glance at Beatlemania.
Well, it's easy to know exactly where the Fab Four went in thanks to Sir Paul's latest offering titled 1964: Eyes of the Storm. Hopping between a sextet of cities (Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, Washington D.C., Miami) throughout January and February 1964, McCartney sparingly documented the Beatles' extended road trip - which notably was the group's first visit to America, including their initial evening on The Ed Sullivan Show, viewed by record-number 73 million folks - by also bringing along his Pentax camera during the candid downtime and offstage moments. Although presented mostly in black-and-white snapshots, McCartney switched to color film during their final brief respite in Miami Beach, resulting in something akin to a blast of warm air. There are a number of great spontaneous pictures - a laughing Brian Epstein (all the more poignant because we now know what a troubled man he was), excited female teenage fans caught in a moment of realization as the limousines arrive, and even a bespectacled John Lennon (as he despised being photographed in his glasses). This was a wonderful book presenting a truly behind-the-scenes glance at Beatlemania.
August 22, 2023
A true Beatles fan, such as myself, never tire of looking at photos of the greatest band in the universe! There is a brief description of the time/place for each section of pictures which added to the overall enjoyment of the book.
Back in the day, when The Beatles were traveling to new and exciting places, they all enjoyed taking pictures with their cameras as tourists. Paul isn’t the first Beatle to publish a book of photos. If interested, Ringo Starr published two, and .
Back in the day, when The Beatles were traveling to new and exciting places, they all enjoyed taking pictures with their cameras as tourists. Paul isn’t the first Beatle to publish a book of photos. If interested, Ringo Starr published two, and .
July 2, 2023
Too personal not to give it 5 stars! I attended the first Beatles concert in the U.S. in Washington, DC courtesy of my high school girl friend - she still has the stubs but can't remember how she came by them. I had forgotten how ugly the weather was that day until I saw Paul's photos. Actually I did not hear much of the music - too many girls screaming for the songs to get through.
I enjoyed the book's pictures and his personal comments - quite a trip down memory lane. The Beatles remain a favorite group to this day.
But the reason this was so personal to me is that it was during this time when I first began my interest in photography. Similar camera to Paul's, stuck with the standard 50mm lens, Tri-X film I often used, some transition to color as shown in the Miami pix and many of similar results. Trying to get a handle on the art of framing, focus, exposure, use of contact sheets, etc. They are not perfect but what a great trip down memory lane! Now, as a "semi-professional" it reminds me that it is better to take a picture that is not perfect, than to not take one at all.
I enjoyed the book's pictures and his personal comments - quite a trip down memory lane. The Beatles remain a favorite group to this day.
But the reason this was so personal to me is that it was during this time when I first began my interest in photography. Similar camera to Paul's, stuck with the standard 50mm lens, Tri-X film I often used, some transition to color as shown in the Miami pix and many of similar results. Trying to get a handle on the art of framing, focus, exposure, use of contact sheets, etc. They are not perfect but what a great trip down memory lane! Now, as a "semi-professional" it reminds me that it is better to take a picture that is not perfect, than to not take one at all.
July 27, 2023
Anyone with even a passing knowledge of popular music history knows what Beatlemania looked like to the fans. But how did it look from the Beatles� perspective?
1964 collects nearly 300 personal photos taken by Paul McCartney during the year when the Beatles became an international phenomenon. Surprisingly, these aren’t just blurry snapshots taken from limos. Many are crisp and beautifully composed. They capture a moment in time that manages to feel both modern and unreachably far away. One lasting impression is how genuinely happy the Beatles made people. The crowd photos capture so many smiles, on faces of all ages and all walks of life.
1964 is truly a gem on the shelves. It’s both surprising and heartening that so many photos have survived for nearly 60 years in this great condition.
1964 collects nearly 300 personal photos taken by Paul McCartney during the year when the Beatles became an international phenomenon. Surprisingly, these aren’t just blurry snapshots taken from limos. Many are crisp and beautifully composed. They capture a moment in time that manages to feel both modern and unreachably far away. One lasting impression is how genuinely happy the Beatles made people. The crowd photos capture so many smiles, on faces of all ages and all walks of life.
1964 is truly a gem on the shelves. It’s both surprising and heartening that so many photos have survived for nearly 60 years in this great condition.
June 14, 2023
I found 1964: Eyes of the Storm outside my front door this morning: a gift from a friend. I tore through the whole thing in a single day—of course, it's mostly photographs, so no big accomplishment, but still, it was a delight. I loved Macca's introductory essays; I felt as though I could see him sliding back and forth between repeating old stories automatically and being derailed by old memories he hadn't articulated in decades, if ever, obliging him to put words for the first time to the thoughts he remembers having had decades before. There's a good amount of unreflective, unimproved emotionality throughout the book, I think, in the short essays but also in the labels to his wonderful, candid photographs: the way he writes about his picture of George with the girl in the yellow bikini in Miami, for example, or a shot of a pensive Ringo leads him to write movingly about him as still the "new guy" in the band. And there's a two-page spread with photos of John and George where it's not hard to imagine the look of their faces weighing on Paul with all the weight of 60 years. The historical essay on 1964 by Jill Lepore is fine, but nothing special; just your standard coffee-table stuff, I suppose. But the photographs? An incredible treasure, and a delight.
June 20, 2023
I was fortunate enough to get an early look at this book because I have two librarians in my family! I was determined to get my hands on it before most of the McCartney-loving public!
I wasn’t able to read every description in the book…but I looked at every single photo. Having lived through Beatlemania, these photos were amazing to see after all these years. I had the commercial versions of these photos in my collection of Beatles bubblegum cards. Sir Paul’s private photos blew me away!
Try as I might, I cannot imagine his perspective on all of this pandemonium. There were only four Beatles and the rest of the planet was watching their every move. I cannot comprehend fame on such a scale.
Every Beatle fan and every McCartney fan must read this book. It’s a treasure trove. You will not be disappointed.
I wasn’t able to read every description in the book…but I looked at every single photo. Having lived through Beatlemania, these photos were amazing to see after all these years. I had the commercial versions of these photos in my collection of Beatles bubblegum cards. Sir Paul’s private photos blew me away!
Try as I might, I cannot imagine his perspective on all of this pandemonium. There were only four Beatles and the rest of the planet was watching their every move. I cannot comprehend fame on such a scale.
Every Beatle fan and every McCartney fan must read this book. It’s a treasure trove. You will not be disappointed.
June 26, 2023
Remarkable photographs that take me on a journey of what it’s like to be a Beatle � and gosh I miss John and George more than ever .
June 28, 2023
Increíble recolección de fotos y contexto de la que fue la época dorada de los Beatles. Increíble composición y únicas imágenes
May 2, 2024
Fascinating visual time capsule of McCartney photos taken during The Beatles first U.S. trip and city visits to NYC, D.C., and Miami. Pictures span solo and group pics, policemen, Brian Epstein, and regular folks. Paul learned a lot about photography from a handful of band photographers and absorbed a lot from artists around during that time.
December 20, 2024
A good time with McCartney. Some peeks at the Beatles during the chaos that was 1964 accompanied by some revealing photographs.
August 17, 2023
Love, love, love.
August 7, 2023
This is the closest we will ever get to seeing 1963-64 Beatlemania from the Beatles� perspective . Accompanying text by several authors , including Paul McCartney, is quite good also.
July 28, 2023
I am once again in love with Ringo Starr. That is all.
July 5, 2023
Best coffee table book ever. Heard about this and went right out to buy it. Through the lens of Paul McCartney, his photos of the Fab Fours first look at success. Pages 282-283 got me. Look then read that caption. 😔🥰. Reads better than any history book. 1964!
October 29, 2023
I hate to be the one to say this, but one day all the Beatles will be gone. I don't want to think about it either, so we must cherish the content our remaining Beatles can provide while we can. As a lifelong Beatles fan, I was very grateful to find Paul McCartney's new collection of writing and photographs at my local library.
I thought there would be more photos in this volume than there are (and almost knocked off a star in my disappointment), but the ones we see are still incredible. The book consists mostly of essays and personal reflections, and the most enjoyable ones to read are those written by Paul himself. This is not to imply that the ones written by others are not enjoyable, informative and noteworthy; they're just not nearly as personal or candid (for obvious reasons). Still, they capture the zeitgeist of Beatlemania and the 1960's in a fresh, new and intimate way.
Just when you think nothing else new could be said about this group and this period, there's this: the "eyes of the storm" aren't the cameras of journalists or portrait photographers but the amateur snapshots of the individuals who lived the events captured. For that, it deserves five stars. Thank you for inviting us to peek behind the curtain, Sir Paul!
I thought there would be more photos in this volume than there are (and almost knocked off a star in my disappointment), but the ones we see are still incredible. The book consists mostly of essays and personal reflections, and the most enjoyable ones to read are those written by Paul himself. This is not to imply that the ones written by others are not enjoyable, informative and noteworthy; they're just not nearly as personal or candid (for obvious reasons). Still, they capture the zeitgeist of Beatlemania and the 1960's in a fresh, new and intimate way.
Just when you think nothing else new could be said about this group and this period, there's this: the "eyes of the storm" aren't the cameras of journalists or portrait photographers but the amateur snapshots of the individuals who lived the events captured. For that, it deserves five stars. Thank you for inviting us to peek behind the curtain, Sir Paul!
April 29, 2024
Am I coming at this with stars in my eyes for the world we had sixty years ago? Yes.
Am I wallowing in a bit of nostalgia? Yes.
Am I biased because I'm an idiot for anything Beatles related? Yes.
Did I get caught by surprise on a span of two pages and the words "I love and miss them both dearly" and tear up? Yes.
But, for all of that, did I enjoy this book? Absolutely. It's one I am absolutely going to pull off my shelves and browse through often.
Am I wallowing in a bit of nostalgia? Yes.
Am I biased because I'm an idiot for anything Beatles related? Yes.
Did I get caught by surprise on a span of two pages and the words "I love and miss them both dearly" and tear up? Yes.
But, for all of that, did I enjoy this book? Absolutely. It's one I am absolutely going to pull off my shelves and browse through often.
October 30, 2023
Simply beautiful!!
December 27, 2023
Pretty much a must have if you like the Beatles, with very insightful words from Paul during this brief period of Beatlemania.
August 22, 2024
Lovely book. Background information from Paul McCartney on the context of these pictures he took. Great photographs in a very exciting time for The Beatles.
September 4, 2024
Las fotografías de Miami mis favoritas💞😭
December 22, 2023
Collection of McCartney Photos
A nice collection of photos from Paul McCartney’s camera. Beautiful, sharp and meaningful as The Beatles arrived in the United States.
A nice collection of photos from Paul McCartney’s camera. Beautiful, sharp and meaningful as The Beatles arrived in the United States.
June 2, 2024
There’s enough words in this picture book for me to rate it on here
September 10, 2023
The title is brilliant: the book feels exactly like that. It's like time travelling and being part of the incrowd. A must for those interested in The Beatles.
September 10, 2023
The photos are fabulous!
May 17, 2024
The view from the other side of the manic wave that swept England and the US in the early 60s, featuring intimate shots of Paul's mates, and some terrific vignettes of Americana. Jill Lepore's introductory essay is brilliant.
December 26, 2023
Emotioneel en waarschijnlijk erg zorgvuldig gepropagandeerd maar nog steeds een mooie schets van the Beatles in 1964 en de figuren die het dichtst bij hen stonden. Vooral het laatste stuk "Another Lens" geeft wat meer context die McCartney zelf niet geeft. Aan de fotografische stijl, aan de jaren 60 en aan de fotografie van die tijd. Sommige taglines doen me laten lachen en McCartneys introducties van de periodes geven inzicht in zijn ervaringen en zijn herinneringen.
September 14, 2023
Photography is Fair
Interesting times. Beginnings and travels. The start of an amazing era of discovery, changes in music style with each album and a bit of advocacy along the way. Essentially an age of early Beatle madness and innocence.
And this book may have the largest collection of photos of Ringo since the original Ringo fan club.
But while I like a number of the photos, Paul is not Robert Frank, Gary Winograd or Henri Cartier-Bresson. His decisive moments are likely when he and John became friends and formed a band. And if course deciding that the drummer named Pete was not the best and that Ringo was going to be best.
The writing is good. The photos are nostalgic. But they do not add to the field of photography. Sorry to have this downer of a review. And I did grow up and remain a Beatles fan.
Interesting times. Beginnings and travels. The start of an amazing era of discovery, changes in music style with each album and a bit of advocacy along the way. Essentially an age of early Beatle madness and innocence.
And this book may have the largest collection of photos of Ringo since the original Ringo fan club.
But while I like a number of the photos, Paul is not Robert Frank, Gary Winograd or Henri Cartier-Bresson. His decisive moments are likely when he and John became friends and formed a band. And if course deciding that the drummer named Pete was not the best and that Ringo was going to be best.
The writing is good. The photos are nostalgic. But they do not add to the field of photography. Sorry to have this downer of a review. And I did grow up and remain a Beatles fan.
October 19, 2023
Probably not fair to rate this a 2 as I didn’t read the text, which consists of a Foreword by McCartney himself, a Preface, a lengthy introduction by Jill Lenore, and a final essay by Rosie Bradley. I skimmed through these reading only pulled quotes and the context around selected song lyrics.
I did look at every photo and read the captions when present. These provide a look behind the scenes of hectic fan fever known as Beatlemania from October 1963 to December 1964. They are candid and relaxed shots of mostly the other 3 band members with occasional pictures of their assorted crew and friends and family. Also some of other acts and artists they performed with. But unless you’re still enamored with everything Beatle, these are just a lot of pictures of these guys as the mop-topped kids they were at the beginning.
I did look at every photo and read the captions when present. These provide a look behind the scenes of hectic fan fever known as Beatlemania from October 1963 to December 1964. They are candid and relaxed shots of mostly the other 3 band members with occasional pictures of their assorted crew and friends and family. Also some of other acts and artists they performed with. But unless you’re still enamored with everything Beatle, these are just a lot of pictures of these guys as the mop-topped kids they were at the beginning.
November 12, 2023
I love photography and this collection doesn’t disappoint in its casual nature. Loved the essay by Jill Lepore
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
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