In the aftermath of his bitter break up with second wife Heather Mills, Paul McCartney is remembering his cherished first wife Linda on the 10th anniversary of her death.
Paul and Linda met on May 15, 1967 at a Georgie Fame concert in London. Linda Eastman, a photographer, was assigned to take photos of the musician. Later, the couple went to The Speakeasy club to see Procol Harum. They met again at the launch party for the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album four days later. After that, Linda flew back home to New York. In May 1968, McCartney and Lennon were in New York to announce the creation of Apple Corps when the two met up again. That September, Paul asked Linda to fly to London. In March of 1969, the two were married at the Marylebone Registry Office, Linda already four months pregnant with daughter Mary. The couple would have two more children (fashion designer Stella and son James) with Paul adopting Heather, Linda’s child from a previous marriage.
This week, Paul opened up to the Sunday Times Magazine about Linda. He said he could still recall their first meeting, even though it was 40 years ago. What pick up line did the cutest Beatle use to meet Linda? “My name’s Paul. What’s yours?” While he recognizes it as a corny line, he told his children without that meeting, none of them would be here now.
Paul credits Linda with teaching him to relax and be more down to Earth, something that must have been difficult for him considering all his fame. He recalled her brave last days, saying that she didn’t know she was dying. After talking to the doctor, the two decided she was so positive that they didn’t think she would want to know. Linda died on April 17, 1998 from breast cancer.
Since his divorce, Paul has been spotted with American businesswoman Nancy Shevell.