Two very different dates. One is a story of happiness, and one of sadness. One proves that love can conquer all, and one is of losing that love to sickness and death. In the past I have written many times about coincidences in music history. Here is one of those examples.
On this day in 1970 former Beatle Paul McCartney would release his first solo album after announcing the break up of The Beatles. What many people didn't know at the time was how difficult this record was for Paul to make, and how if it wasn't for his wife Linda it might've never happened. 28 years later in 1998 this would also be the day that Paul would lose Linda when she would die of breast cancer in Tucson, Arizona.
In September of 1969 right after releasing the legendary Beatles album "Abbey Road" the band would meet for a meeting where John Lennon would announce that he wanted out of the band.
Previous months all three members had threatened to quit only to be coached back by Paul. This situation would be different though. Paul knew things were about to get very ugly in the coming months.
After doing personal audits of the band's financial situation with new manager Allen Klein he became very worried at the way Klein had been handling the band. He had never wanted him in the first place, but was outvoted by the other three Beatles, because Paul wanted his father in law, and the others thought he would favor him. Once he was presented with this information he was told there was only one way out. That was to sue the other three Beatles to bring the partnership with Klein to an end.
History would prove Paul's suspicions correct, and the other three Beatles would be very thankful years later that he did this. Especially after it was proven that Klein was involved in many illegal activities, and could've eventually owned The Beatles. But as it was happening they were furious with Paul.
It got so bad that Paul would take Linda and his stepdaughter Heather to his secluded farm in Scotland. This would be a very bad time for him. For one he was broke, because all of his money was tied up in the Beatles’ Corporation Apple. He also felt worthless and would become very depressed. Drinking and getting drunk day after day, going weeks without a bath. Feeling he couldn't make it as a songwriter without the band, especially John. It would finally be Linda who would not only use "tough love" on Paul, but offer him the love and encouragement he would need to start writing again.
It would be through Linda's encouragement that Paul would begin to make a new record. Using just a 4 track tape machine, he would record most of the record at home, where he would play all of the instruments. When you hear the album you sense that "homemade feel" it has. You hear noises and doors in the background etc. Linda would also provide backing vocals when Paul needed the help.
This album "McCartney" released in 1970 would kickstart Paul's solo career. And through the album you feel the influence from Linda. Songs like "The Lovely Linda”, “Every Night” and especially “Maybe I'm Amazed" show the inspiration Linda was to Paul during this time.
The next 28 years Linda would always be by Paul's side. She didn't want to be part of his band, but Paul told her he needed her to regain confidence in himself. Even though she would be attacked by critics because of her amateur musical skills she still was there for Paul.
She was a woman who loved her family, raised her kids to learn the value of a dollar. Giving them all household chores, not allowing them to rely on the privileged lifestyle. They all went to public school. She loved animals, and fought for animal rights. She was an amazing photographer in her own right, even before she met Paul.
She got to go every place all over the world, and her favorite place ?
It was Tucson, Arizona.
She had gone to the University Of Arizona as a "Fine Arts Major". That's where she wanted to spend her last days, watching the sunrise, and sunsets, looking at the mountains, riding her horses. It’s one of the big reasons that Paul mentioned “Tucson, Arizona” in his song “Get Back”.
It's hard to believe she has already been gone over 26 years. Paul has had to move on, getting remarried, but never has forgotten his "Lovely Linda".
Paul has always dedicated two of his most popular songs to her "My Love”, and “Maybe I'm Amazed" when he plays them live . Beautiful songs for a beautiful woman inside and out.
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