This Friday, April 25, the Gagosian gallery in Beverly Hills will debut a rare and revealing photo exhibition by none other than Paul McCartney. Titled Paul McCartney: Rearview Mirror: Photographs, December 1963–February 1964, the collection features 36 candid photographs taken by McCartney himself during a pivotal period in Beatles history — just before and during the band’s legendary first trip to America.
Shot through McCartney’s personal lens, the images capture not only iconic moments but also intimate glimpses of Beatlemania in full swing. Locations range from Liverpool and London to New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Paris — places where the frenzy of fans followed the Fab Four at every turn. The exhibition showcases a mix of color and black-and-white photos, including spontaneous shots of Paul’s bandmates, crowd scenes, and even self-portraits.
A companion video, now available on the Gagosian’s YouTube channel, gives viewers behind-the-scenes access as McCartney inspects and signs prints at Griffin Editions in Brooklyn. During his visit, he chatted with Joshua Chuang, the gallery’s director of photography, sharing personal anecdotes about the photos and the memories they invoke.
One emotional moment in the video shows McCartney reflecting on a series of photos featuring John Lennon. “He was a great guy,” McCartney says. “I’m proud to have known and worked with him. That part of my life — it’s huge.”
Paul goes on to describe the essence of the era captured in the pictures: “For me, it’s all about remembering the joy. Life moves fast, people come and go — but the good times, the great memories — those stay. That’s what these images bring back.”
Opening Night and Special Features
The opening reception for the exhibit will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. PT on April 25. McCartney worked closely with both Gagosian and Griffin Editions to produce a limited run of signed prints from the collection. A portion of proceeds from sales will support Southern California communities recovering from recent wildfires.
Adding to the experience, the exhibition also features Beatles memorabilia from the early ’60s, plus rare footage from Albert and David Maysles — the documentarians who trailed the band during their 1964 U.S. invasion.
A Glimpse at the Lighter Side
Humor finds its way into the show, too. In one scene from the video, McCartney laughs while examining a photo he snapped of George Harrison lounging poolside in Miami. A woman in a bikini hands George a drink as the camera captures his teen complexion in vivid detail.
“These days, someone would’ve airbrushed those pimples out,” Paul jokes. “But here we are highlighting them. Sorry, George — you’re still a heartthrob.”
He fondly recalls their school days: “George was my little mate. We met on the bus to school, can you believe it?”
Another highlight includes McCartney reminiscing about the band’s landmark appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. “At first, we thought it was just another TV gig,” Paul admits. But just before stepping out for a solo performance, a crew member gave him a jarring heads-up: “You nervous? You should be — 73 million people are watching.” With that, the curtains opened. “And I’m just standing there, thinking, ‘Ahhhh!’” Paul laughs.
The Rearview Mirror exhibit runs through June 21 — a nostalgic, heartfelt, and often humorous window into one of the most iconic moments in music history, captured through the eyes of someone who lived it.
