See The Beatles like never before through Paul McCartney’s lens. Rare 1963–64 photos debut at Frist Art Museum this fall.
Beatles bass player and co-lead signer Paul McCartney posing for the camera, with his camera, at the Southend Odeon on December 9, 1963, in Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
Beatles bass player and co-lead signer Paul McCartney posing for the camera, with his camera, at the Southend Odeon on December 9, 1963, in Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
An unprecedented glimpse into the Beatlemania storm is coming to Nashville this fall when the Frist Art Museum debuts Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm, a major exhibition of recently discovered images taken by Paul McCartney during the meteoric rise of Beatlemania.
Opening November 6, 2025, and running through January 26, 2026, the exhibition brings together nearly 300 photographs taken by McCartney during a whirlwind three-month period — from late 1963 through the band’s first trip to America in early 1964. The photos, most of which have never been seen by the public, offer a rare insider’s view of The Beatles at the exact moment they went from British sensation to global superstars.
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Organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London, the show is housed in the Frist’s Upper-Level Galleries and requires advance timed-entry tickets. Frist members will get early access on October 7, with general admission available starting October 8.
📷 A Beatle Behind the Camera
Armed with a Pentax 35 mm film camera, McCartney documented the Beatles’ insane lives in that two-year period — from backstage moments in Liverpool and London to the Beatles’ historic arrival in New York, culminating in their now-legendary debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in front of 73 million viewers.
“There’s something wonderfully revealing about these behind-the-scenes glimpses of musicians we thought we knew so well,” said Mark Scala, Chief Curator at the Frist, in a statement. “McCartney’s photographs are both personal and artistically compelling.”
“They evoke an affectionate family album, picturing his fellow band members — John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr — at a time when their lives were changing irrevocably,” added Rosie Broadley, head of collection displays and senior curator of 20th-century collections at London’s National Portrait Gallery. “Where McCartney appears in the photographs, he had handed his camera to a member of The Beatles’ team, enabling us to capture glimpses of him performing onstage or posing for pictures.”
🛫 From Liverpool to Miami Beach
The exhibition unfolds chronologically, beginning with photographs taken on tour in England, then moving to Paris during a marathon three-week run at the Olympia Theatre in January 1964. The mood shifts when the Beatles arrive in New York on February 7. McCartney’s lens captures fans chasing their limousine, mounted police navigating crowds outside the Plaza Hotel, and backstage moments before their Ed Sullivan debut.
A turning point in the photo collection comes with the Beatles’ trip to Miami Beach, where McCartney switches to color film. The photos show the band relaxing by the pool, experimenting with water skiing, and enjoying a brief escape from the press frenzy.
“The color pictures start when we get to Miami . . . it’s like we were living in a black and white world on the rest of the tour and suddenly we’re in wonderland, Florida, the sun, the swimming pools,” said McCartney.
“They have the feel of holiday snapshots,” added Bradley. “You see a side of the band that feels honest, playful, and utterly human.”
🎧 McCartney’s Own Commentary
Visitors will also have the chance to hear McCartney’s reflections through an audio tour accompanying the exhibition. He shares memories tied to specific images and moments — including the chaos, excitement, and sheer intensity of life on the road.
“It was a crazy whirlwind that we were living through,” McCartney recalled. “There were loads of eyes, and cameras, at the center of this storm.”
🎶 Public Programming & Tickets
To celebrate the exhibition’s run in Nashville, the Frist Art Museum will host a series of events, including panel discussions, photography workshops, film screenings, and musical performances. More information can be found here.
Timed-entry tickets will be available to the public starting at 10 a.m. CT on October 8, with Frist members receiving early access one day prior. The museum will also add Wednesday hours (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) for the duration of the show.