The first photograph ever featured on the cover of Rolling Stone by a female artist was captured by an American lenswoman who established her career in the mid-1960s. Beyond her extensive work as a photographer, she gained public recognition as a keyboardist, songwriter, and a committed animal rights activist throughout her life in the United States.
Early Development and Photography
Born Linda Louise Eastman in Manhattan in 1941, she attended Scarsdale High School and later the University of Arizona, where she studied fine arts. Her interest in nature photography blossomed during this time. After moving into an editorial assistant role at Town & Country magazine, she secured a pivotal opportunity to photograph the Rolling Stones on a yacht. This experience launched her career as an unofficial house photographer at the Fillmore East in New York. Her body of work includes portraits of numerous musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Bob Dylan. In 1968, she made history as the first woman to have a photograph published on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Musical Career and Wings
Following the 1970 dissolution of the Beatles, she transitioned into music, learning keyboard instrumentation from her husband, Paul McCartney. The pair recorded the album Ram together before forming the band Wings in 1971. She served as the group's keyboardist and provided harmony vocals throughout their tenure. Additionally, she explored music as a songwriter and lead vocalist under the pseudonym Suzy and the Red Stripes for the reggae-influenced track 'Seaside Woman.' Her musical contributions continued alongside her husband well after the conclusion of Wings in 1981, culminating in participation during The New World Tour in 1993.
Activism and Professional Recognition
Beyond her creative pursuits, she was a dedicated animal rights activist. Her commitment to vegetarianism led her to author two cookbooks, including 'Linda’s Kitchen: Simple and Inspiring Recipes for Meatless Meals,' which earned a James Beard Award nomination in 1996. Together with her husband, she co-founded the vegetarian enterprise Linda McCartney Foods. Her professional achievements were formally acknowledged through the presentation of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Her photographic collection eventually found homes in international galleries and museums, notably the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Fast facts
- Born: 1941, Manhattan
- Died: 1998, Tucson
- Education: Scarsdale High School; University of Arizona
- Primary Occupations: Photographer, musician, songwriter
- Band Membership: Wings; Suzy and the Red Stripes
- Awards: Ellis Island Medal of Honor
- Citizenship: United States
- Religion: Judaism
Questions readers ask
What was Linda McCartney's primary contribution to photography?
She was a prominent rock photographer during the 1960s and 1970s, serving as an unofficial house photographer at the Fillmore East and becoming the first woman to grace the cover of Rolling Stone.
Which bands did she perform with during her music career?
She was a founding member of the band Wings and recorded music as part of the duo Paul & Linda McCartney, as well as the project Suzy and the Red Stripes.
Achievements
- Educated at Scarsdale High School
- Worked as singer, photographer and keyboardist