How Linda, the Sixties groupie, became a devoted wife and mum; LOVE ME DO: A NEW BOOK REVEALS THAT THE ROCK PHOTOGRAPHER BEDDED SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN SHOWBIZ BEFORE SHE WED BEATLE PAUL.
WHEN Linda McCartney died she was regarded by many as a national icon of virtue rivalled only by Princess Diana.Yet by the time she met Paul McCartney, Linda had notched up a string of affairs with 20 lovers as she relentlessly pursued the top stars of the Swinging Sixties.
When she lost her fight against breast cancer in April, 1998, Linda McCartney was seen as a woman of endless compassion, who fought tirelessly against cruelty to animals.
The image she unconsciously nurtured during 29 years of marriage with Sir Paul was one of a dedicated mother and wife, whose warmth inspired everyone who knew her.
But a book published tomorrow reveals that in her days as a celebrity "groupie", photographer Linda relentlessly and successfully pursued the top sex symbols of pop.
When, as Linda Eastman, she wed Paul McCartney, the last single Beatle, in 1969, she was possibly the most unpopular woman on the planet.
The tag, while rooted in jealousy more than anything else, stuck. She was mocked for her groupie past and lack of musical talent.
Among the men Linda enjoyed torrid affairs with was Jim Morrison, the frontman of The Doors, notorious for his insatiable appetite for drink, drugs and sex.
Such was Linda's pulling power that she was once wooed by Warren Beatty - and she turned down the advances of Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger after a photoshoot.
Mick asked her to an exclusive showbiz party with the rest of his Rolling Stones mates. Although Linda turned up, she took along her then boyfriend, David Dalton. She later went back to Mick's hotel, but left after listening to music when Mick got tired.
The revelations are made in a biography of Linda by her close friend Danny Fields, who first met her in 1966.
Then, Linda was a divorced mother from a wealthy background, working in New York as a photographer.
Fields, an American music editor, knew many big players in the pop scene. His magazine, Datebook, boomed through its coverage of The Beatles.
Fields was one of Linda's few friends from that time with whom she stayed in touch throughout her marriage. He spoke at her memorial service in New York.
He recalls how, after a flirty dinner, both Linda and Warren Beatty hit it off.
Linda went further with Jim Morrison, going out of her way to pursue him and demanding that the boss of Elektra Records set up a date. After smoking cannabis joints, Linda took pictures. After a later date they went back to her house, sent home the babysitter and enjoyed a wild night -- despite being disturbed when Linda's daughter Heather, then four, walked in.
Morrison later recalled: "Linda said 'Mommy is busy dear, go back to bed'. I dig that chick, she's smart."
Fields also recounts how, despite her past as a wild child immersed in the 60s culture of sex and drugs, Linda was the perfect partner for Paul.
Fields said: "Linda Eastman was linked romantically with some of the most successful men in the world.
"There were probably no more than 20 such linkages in the two and a half years before she settled down with Paul.
"I don't think anyone was keeping tabs on Linda. But 20 or so guys is right. The rest of Linda's friends have figured it out."
Fields claims that Linda would even make up the names of famous lovers just to stir up scandal.
He added: "Linda sometimes added people to the list who didn't belong there. But they weren't just guys, they were stars."
Fields revealed how Linda and Paul had no secrets - and how both their pasts of sleeping around had worked in their favour. Linda's "conquests" were men she had photographed - and whose respect she had won in a time of sexual adventure.
He compared Linda to Princess Diana - and contrasted the "perfect" marriage of Paul and Linda to the public sham of Charles and Diana.
Fields said: "Charles wanted a virgin, he got a virgin - and look what happened.
"The family and the Royal tradition and the Church demanded it. The virginal aspect of Diana's being did not give that relationship very much stability. There were so many factors working to distract it.
"Her husband didn't like her very much and he had another woman. That was the difference between them."
Fields argues that Linda and Paul's experience stood them in good stead for a lifelong romance.
He added: "Their life experiences were very similar, hanging out with the same kind of people. If you are searching for your lifetime mate it's an advantage that you meet a kindred spirit.
"They were both very talented people who found each other and history proves they were right for each other."
Fields also reveals that Linda did claim that she would marry a Beatle even before she met Paul. After the wedding, the remark led to claims that she was just a calculating gold-digger.
But in his book, Fields makes it clear that it was Paul who pursued Linda. He said: "Many people misunderstood the fact that Linda used those words purely as a joke. As it turned out, she did marry Paul. But it was a genuine love they shared."
He told how the couple first met. He said: "There was no one that she was into in the same way as with Paul McCartney. It was the first time that she had felt really nervous about something because she felt so strongly about him. It was very different in every way from any other relationship."
In the late 60s, when Linda exploded into the public eye by marrying Paul, she was universally ridiculed.
She was a little known American photographer and a single mum - hardly the profile to attract the world's most eligible bachelor.
Her contribution with Paul's band Wings did little to endear her to the public.
But by the time of her death, she had achieved a quiet revolution in PR terms.
In the years leading up to her death, at the age of 56, she was a dignified mother and wife.
She was also respected as an animal activist, genuinely committed to the cause.
Linda, far from feeding from Paul's wealth, had even made her own fortune from her line of vegetarian meals.
More than a successful showbiz marriage, the partnership of Paul and Linda was one of the most successful in any walk of life.
The couple spent only one night apart in 29 years and raised four unspoilt children. The last pictures of them together were as proud parents, cheering on their daughter Stella's fashion show. Sir Paul gave his backing but has neither contributed to the biography nor been shown it.
Fields, who has plainly not gone out of his way to rake up scurrilous stories, has not had any reaction from the family.
He said: "I hope they are happy with it.
"The emphasis in the book was that she was a great wife and mother as well as a great humanitarian, great animal rights activist and great photographer.
"The most important thing that mattered was getting across that she was a wonderful companion and friend. I don't think there is anything wrong with that."
His chief memory of Linda is summed up in the words of their mutual friend, singer Judy Collins.
Fields revealed: "Judy said that when Linda gave you a hug, you really knew you were being hugged.
"Linda could impart a feeling of love that I never experienced in my life, not even from my mother."
Linda McCartney, by Danny Fields, is published by Little, Brown on February 24, priced pounds 16.99.
THE MEN IN HER LIFE
JIM MORRISON
ROCK 'n' roll legend Jim Morrison lived fast and died young. Doors singer Morrison, notorious for exposing himself on stage, died after suffering a heart attack in the bath of his Paris flat in July 1971. He was 27.
WARREN BEATTY
BEATTY is on most lists of legendary lovers. The American actor's many conquests include Madonna, Joan Collins and Julie Christie. Now 62, Beatty is thinking of running for President of the United States.
MICK JAGGER
UNLIKE Sir Paul, Mick was never known for his fidelity. Wife Jerry Hall stood by him until last year, then she finally dumped him after he fathered a lovechild in his 50s after a fling with a Brazilian beauty.
TIM BUCKLEY
SINGER and songwriter Tim had a fling with Linda in1967, but she was scared off by his growing dependence on hard drugs. She was distraught when he died of a heroin overdose in 1975.
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Author: | McGIVERN, MARK |
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Feb 23, 2000 |
| Words: | 1435 |
| Previous Article: | LAST NIGHT; Goodbye boys head off into the sunset. |
| Next Article: | HAMPDEN LINK TO DINOSAUR FOSSIL THEFT. |