McCartney Pays Tribute To Late Wife's Work

(CBS)  She may have been best-known as the wife of a Beatle, but she was also a famously vegetarian campaigner for animal rights, and, though many may not know it, Linda McCartney was an accomplished photographer.

Now, 10 years after her death from breast cancer, Paul McCartney is putting his celebrity power behind a tribute to her work on film, reports CBS News correspondent Richard Roth.

"I knew Linda, obviously, (in the) very early days of her photography, so I saw a lot of her work unfold. So I have a personal interest in it obviously, as my family does. It's my wife, it's their mum," McCartney said of his involvement in the upcoming exhibit.

With 28 of the American-born photographer's still pictures going on display, and sale, in London - from images of rock stars to family scenes to a silhouette self-portrait - McCartney says the collection's an illustration of Linda's talent.

Referring to a photo of the band at Abbey Road studios, McCartney reminisced over his late wife's work. "What I like about it, actually, you can see nobody's bothered about the photographer, it's just a moment in time captured.

"And anybody else might have missed that moment and waited till we were looking serious, but she was looking for that kind of thing," McCartney said.

Roth says it's plain to see, given the publicity he's allowed - a newspaper interview and a video-taped, widely released chat with gallery owner James Hyman - that Paul McCartney's driven, as well, by a wish to make a point. "It's great for me just to remind people how great she was," he says.

Conversely, he doesn't directly mention in all the press his disastrous marriage to Heather Mills, or the multi-million dollar divorce that just ended it or Mills' campaign to explain it, except by indirection.

Linda "didn't go on TV and try to ingratiate herself," says McCartney. "Her priorities were private, not public."

British show business commentator Neil Sean says, "It's a rather thinly-veiled attack on, of course, his recent troubles. And she was really a respected photographer. ... The amount of people she did take pictures of -- it is a bit of a 'Who's Who' now. Of course, she did have great connections. But I think his fans, and many fans of her, will like the fact that they're getting a chance to see these rather revealing unpublished pictures."

McCartney says the exhibit's has been in the works for three years, with some photos offering never-before-seen glimpses of private and family moments.

"Privacy didn't matter," recalled McCartney, saying the couple knew they were being constantly watched and photographed, anyway.

Prices, though, may matter. Roth reports that asking prices start at about $9,600 for a single photo, plus tax.

[gspjw]

Linda was a Wonderful Lady, Wife, Mother, Photographer,and more! The Love Paul and Linda have shared goes beyond anything I have ever seen.

[srdesert48]

long live THE BEATLES....the best of the best...got in & got out at the right time...on top & still on TOP...show me a group better, paul once said ....there is NOY one ====never will be.....hey mills ,go F____K your self

[tjcdevfan]

Guilt, hardly, This is a lovely tribute to Linda''s talents. Last time I heard, widowed spouses are allowed to remarry. He remarried several years after Linda''s death. There was no disrespect involved. Funny how we never hear whether Paul approved or disapproved of his children''s relationships. They owe their father the same respect. Adult children should stay out of the their parent''s lovelife.

Most of Paul''s fans, know that he is the ultimate optimist, he moves on. He celebrates the past with respect and love but lives his life in the present and future. I admire this quality tremendously. It''s time to let go of the fairytale image of Paul & Linda. It does do their real and successful marriage any justice. It''s also time to stop bringing up his ex everytime, his name is mentioned. Good luck and good love to you Paul.

[cmp271]

This is a great tribute to Linda. She really was a good wife, and a talented person. Linda had class, and I believe came from a good family. This tribute is long overdue.

I also am tired of hearing about the recent event in Paul''s life. I empathize with his pain of knowing he made a bad decision. The public don''t need an apology. Forgive yourself for this, move on. Get custody of Beatrice.

If we all ignore that person, maybe she will go away. Why is she even on our TV.

[puzzler125]

Almost no man''s children are ever excited about their father''s remarriage. I''ve heard the saddest to the nastiest comments no matter how long the interval too.

[memerider]

Sir Paul enjoyed something rare--a long-term marriage to someone he truly loved and admired, who was talented and loving in return. He''s just human like the rest of us, and I wish him every happiness.

No one can deny the talent of Paul and the other Beatles--and something magical happened for a moment in time.

[hoosiermoon]

None of Paul''s children were real excited about him getting married again so soon after losing their mom. Wonderful guy that he is, it might have been better for him to have a little more respect for their point of view. It takes most people about 10 seconds to determine that Heather was quite the self-promoter.

[charliegirlg]

Sir Paul, you are doing a great thing for Linda. A wonderful wife, mother, and an awesome photographer. Her work deserves to be seen and appreciated. Clearly Linda still lives in your heart. As she should. God bless you and your family.

[ranger1948]

srdesert48
Nothing against Paul and John, they are both great men in what they have accomplished, but i think all four of the Beetls made them great. They each had their own talents. I have never seen another group where each member was a lead singer in different songs. Their talent has never been matched.Their legacy will live forever. I hope their memory does the same.

[srdesert48]

mills is a greedy person...if she wants more ,paul should give her a kick in the as-s & then say carry your as-s ,,''like carry that weight'' in your as-s