Featuring Photos by Paul McCartney – 1963 – 64
The exhibition began at The National Gallery in June 2023. In early June, 2026, after Toronto, it heads to Aix-en-Provence (France) until January 2027.
With Special Guest Matt Snyder
GEORGE
RINGO
JOHN
NO PAUL? Well, he’s behind the camera. NO selfies back then!
Resa – So Matt, what drew you into the Beatles? I seem to remember you saying you had watched the cartoons when you were a kid.
Matt – No, I’d say my first exposure to the Beatles was their Animated Film, The Yellow Submarine, which I caught shown on tv as a kid in the 70’s & 80’s.
Resa – Oh, the movie, not the cartoon series!
MATT – First off, I forgot about that cartoon. My Father-In-Law who is a huge Beatles fan raves about that cartoon.
Matt – Having been born in April of 1970 I sure didn’t catch Beatlemania while it happened. The animation is very quirky and reminiscent of the French Film Fantastic Planet. I love animation, I love musicals..put em together and ya got a fan.
Resa – Did you have a fave Beatle in those early days?
Matt – As a band I prefer them in the following order by favorite song:
Paul: Let it Be
Photo from when he was dating Jane Asher – At the Ashers – 1963
John: Nowhere Man
In Paris – 1964
Ringo: Yellow Submarine
Paris – 1964
George: Here Comes the Sun
Backstage at the London Paladium – 1964
Matt – Nowhere Man was the first 45 rpm single I bought when I was 12 in 1982 and began to immerse myself into artists from the 1960’s.
Resa – Did you have a fave Beatle after they broke up?
Matt – I equally enjoyed the post- Beatles work of –
John Lennon: Nobody Told Me (I had this song on 45 rpm it was released post humously in 1984), Imagine, Instant Karma, Give Peace a Chance & Beautiful Boy
I was 10 when Lennon was assasinated and vividly recall all the news surrounding it on the tv.
Paul McCartney: The only McCartney LP I ever had was Give my regards to broad street having seen the film of the same name in 1984. Song wise My love & Silly Love Songs (Both with the band Wings), Ebony & Ivory (With Stevie Wonder)…
…The Girl is Mine & Say Say Say (Both with Michael Jackson), The Pipes of Peace, No more lonely nights, My brave face & FourFiveSeconds (With Rhianna & Kanye West)
Through the Limo’s Windows
Many of my fave pics were ones Paul took when they were in a limo, driving through cities.
New York City
Resa – So Matt, I feel somewhat nostalgic about the USA when I see the images from NYC, Washington DC & Miami in the early 60’s. I’d like to know what you think of the America Paul captured.
Matt – Commercialized
Washington
The following images from Washington and Miami are some of Paul’s personal favourites.
Matt – Grimy, Easy & Willing, Stark
Miami
Resa – This police officer was one of many escorting The Beatles in an open top car transporting them from the airport to Miami Beach. I’m fascinated by this shot.
“It was slightly shocking for us to see a gun in real life, as we didn’t have armed police officers back home.” -Paul McCartney
Arriving at The Deauville Beach Beach Resort in Miami Beach, was a crowd of hundreds.
Matt – Fear, Fascination, Overwhelming.
From the Train
Train is my fave mode of travel. I adore what one sees from the coach. I find these pics fascinating.
Matt – The Working Class, perhaps reminiscent of home.
Pics of Paul by Others
Reading the Toronto Star on the plane to Montreal.
Seems he liked reading newspapers. The pic below was taken by his brother, Mike McCartney in 1960.
Miami – Colour Film and R&R
At some point during the stay in Miami, Paul switched to colour film.
Before Paul switched to colour film, there were some black and white Miami shots.
Matt – I will say that photo of Cynthia Lennon definitely captures loneliness in contrast to the fun being captured in colour.
Resa – Interesting comment, Matt. I have to think it was an unnerving experience for her, to see all of the unbridled attention aimed at her husband. A “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” moment.
Presentation
Some of Paul’s photos were made larger than life. As I walked into the rooms, I felt immersed in Beatlemania. Their appearances on Ed Sullivan ran on a loop.
Resa – Matt, would you please compose a Cento Poem of lines from Beatles songs from that 1960-1969 era? Your choice of songs & lines.
Matt – All the songs from 1960-1962 are cover songs. I am only taking original compositions from their albums released. I used lines from the following songs to compose this cento:
And I love her, Eight days a week, You’ve got to hide your love away, Nowhere man, Eleanor Rigby, With a little help from my friends, A day in the life, Happiness us a warm gun, Golden Slumbers, Carry that weight, I’ve got a feeling & Let it be.
OBSESSION
(A Cento by: Matt Snyder)
A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me
Guess you know
It’s true
Hope you need
my love babe,
Just like I need you.
…How can I even try?
I can never win
Hearing them,
Seeing them,
In the state
I’m in
“Nowhere man, The world is at your command”
All the lonely
– people
Where do they all
come from?
Does it worry you
to be alone?
How do I feel
by the end of the day?
A crowd of people stood and stared
I need a fix
‘cause I’m going down
Down to the pits
that I left uptown
Sleep,
pretty darling
Do not cry
Boy,
You’re gonna
Carry that
Weight
Carry
that weight
A long time
Everybody had a hard year..
Everybody had a good time
Everybody had a wet dream
Everybody saw the … …….
…And when the
broken hearted people
Living in the world
agree ?
There will be
an answer…
Pics inline blow up if clicked
Resa – I love your Beatles Cento!
There was lots of memorabilia, as well as pics of other celebrities they worked with or met along the way and people who worked for them. All in all, a fascinating experience.
THANK YOU, MATT!
Resa – It’s been great having you here today!
Matt – Always a pleasure to collaborate with you Resa. I kinda hope this exhibit travels to any of the museums my wife & I frequent in Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware.
Resa – I hope so, too! You will love it! I did see it listed on line a few weeks ago, as going to Philadelphia, but now I can’t find it.
Pics taken by Resa – March 4, 2026
Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada
Graffiti Lux Art & More 
I thought I remembered seeing an exhibition of Paul McCartney’s photos coming to Philadelphia, but I don’t see it now either. Certainly some interesting photos. I like the handwritten lyrics, too. Cynthia Lennon looks pensive to me. I can see where the police officer’s gun was startling. It’s startling to me, and I know they carry them! Interesting about the switch to color in Miami. It makes me think of the show, “Miami Vice.”
Yes, Cynthia does look pensive. I can relate to a small (very tiny) degree, as my Norm had bands with some success, was on. the road, had groupies (they’d even show up at the house). So, I am not surprised that she may have not been happy all the time. It’s an unsettling lifestyle.
Yes, Miami does lead to colour. I lived there for a year, and it was fabulous. I was inspired, and designed a lot of clothes … with lots colour, but not a lot of fabric.
Thanks for the fab comment, Merril!
this is utterly amazing! i spent some time looking this over loving it, some pics shocking others mocking, many simply beautiful and candid
It is amazing. I loved this show. It’s the best, bar none, pop culture exhibition I’ve been to, better than the Andy Warhol show I went to. Thanks Beth!
Hi Resa, it’s great see you back with this super collaboration. I enjoyed Matt’s cento and The Beatles photographs and commentary. They all look so young here. The same sort of ages as my sons. I am also more familiar with the work of John and Paul post The Beatles.
i appreciate that Robbie 😊
What an amazing collaboration with Matt – this is wonderful, Resa! The shot of the police officer escorting The Beatles is one of my favorites; it’s so gritty and gives an indication of external factors outside the sphere of the music, the inherent danger of being so famous! I like the pillow fight image of the whole band; it’s uplifting and carefree and seems to capture something inherent to their spirit and drive. Thanks so much for sharing this cool exhibition with us! 🌷🌸🦋
This an incredible post by you and Matt, Resa! Makes me want to take another look at the Beatles “singles” I bought with my allowance when I was a kid. (Still have them in a box.)
Dave, that’s very cool to still have 45’s from back in the day 👍
Yes! Wish I had kept the “sleeves” they came in. 🙂
What a “Luxe” collection of memorabilia here! I particularly like “Here comes the Sun” and “Yellow Submarine. Thank you!
I actually saw this exhibit two weeks ago when I was in Tarrana! I would have liked to have more time, frankly, but at least I got a chance to peruse, even if quickly.
What a wonderful collaboration with Matt this is!
Always a wonderful trip with you, Sorceress.
xoxoxoxoxo
What a fantastic art exhibit and tour! Thanks Resa and Matt. The Beatles were the first musicians I discovered as a young boy in their heyday, and still one my all time favs. I love their music and style.
This is spectacular! Such amazing photography, I especially love the candid pics. Beatlemania consumed the world and Miami went crazy while they were here. Seeing them at the Deauville is such a treat. Hats off to you two for an absolutely fabulous collaboration! Matt, the cento was fantastic! Thank you , Resa and Matt, this is wonderful!
xoxo
I found the post excellent and the photos simply wonderful!
WOW!! So much cultural history in this one post! I would love to be able to see the exhibit in person.
What a fascinating tour of this exhibit! Thank you for the pix and the stimulating conversation.