I Think We’re All Adrienne from Brooklyn: Visiting Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm at the Brooklyn Museum
By Diana Vidals
“I love the Beatles and I’ll always love ’em, even when I’m 105 and an old grandmother,” first spoken in 1964 by Adrianne, a teenage Brooklyn Beatles fan declaring her unbridled love for the band, this proclamation has been made viral by the infamous Beatles member Paul McCartney who shared the video to announce his new exhibition, “Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm at the Brooklyn Museum.” 60 years later, to Adrienne’s declaration I can attest…same.
Like most of the world, I love a good Beatles tune. With songs such as “She Loves You,” “Twist and Shout,” and “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” they have become synonymous with the 60s, classic rock, and the ultimate fan base, Beatlemania.
As a Beatles fan girl, it is almost a rite of passage to have your devotion picked and probed by men with “name 5 songs,” “Do YOU even know who the Beatles are?” As if they weren’t one of the most iconic bands in the world.
Many of these men fail to realize that my love for the band was preceded by stadiums filled with screaming girls who harbored an even more intense love for the Fab Four. There are countless stories of fan girls sobbing outside of Paul McCartney’s wedding, hiding in trashcans, or scaling fire escapes to sneak a peak at them. Truly, these fangirls brought on the rise of the Beatles and are a massive part of the band’s history.
While my intense adoration for The Beatles had simmered, my obsession has crept back with the announcement of the Brooklyn Museum’s newest exhibition. Featuring more than 250 photographs from McCartney’s archives, the exhibition showcases Beatlemania at its peak during the band’s 1963–64 U.S. tour.
Spanning over three cities, the exhibition shows an insider’s perspective into the band’s dynamic, crazy touring schedule, and life behind closed doors. As a fan, I loved the experience of seeing the photographs, videos, and mementos in person. Some of my favorite sights included Paul’s Pentax Camera, a notebook featuring some ideas for the band’s logo, and a video of the iconic Ed Sullivan performance that had me itching to sing along.
When you’re as seasoned of a fan as me, you think you’ve heard and seen it all but I was pleasantly surprised. Roaming the exhibition as Beatles music echoed through the museum was like a dream for my fangirl heart. Adrienne had a point, I’ll always love ‘em.
For a slice of Beatlemania in the comfort of NYC, visit Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm through August 18, 2024, at the Brooklyn Museum!
