Exhibition of more than 250 photographs drawn from McCartney’s personal archive provides a uniquely intimate perspective on what it was like to be a Beatle as they catapulted to fame
A revealing portrait of a multifaceted artist, Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm makes its Canadian debut this winter at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Opening in Toronto on February 18, 2026, the exhibition presents an extraordinary archive of more than 250 photographs made by British musician Paul McCartney at the moment The Beatles catapulted from British sensations to global superstars. Organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, and featuring video clips and archival material, this celebrated exhibition is a unique glimpse into the cultural phenomenon that was Beatlemania.
“These images are intimate and historic and alive with excitement. They highlight an artist whose photography reflects both his own singular vantage point and the growing influence of documentary journalism and new wave filmmaking,” says Shedden. “Greeted by screaming fans and press at every turn, Paul McCartney stood in the eyes of this storm with his Pentax 35 mm camera, and through his lens we see what it was like to be a Beatle at the start of Beatlemania. Canada was at the forefront of Beatlemania in North America in 1963, and I am so excited for Canadian audiences to see that here.”
Organized chronologically, the exhibition covers a three-month period, during which Paul McCartney and his bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr performed in concert halls across England and played in the United States for the first time, culminating in three historic televised performances on The Ed Sullivan Show. A unique portrait of the early 1960s – a moment when photography and music were changing rapidly – these images also reveal a very personal story of four musicians at work, highlighting the intensity of performing and of long days spent in rehearsal, in hotels, and on the road, being followed by the media at every stage.
“These images,” writes co-curator Rosie Broadley, head of collection displays and senior curator of 20th-century collections at London’s National Portrait Gallery, “evoke an affectionate family album, picturing his fellow band members—John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—at a time when their lives were changing irrevocably. Where McCartney appears in the photographs, he had handed his camera to a member of The Beatles’ team, enabling us to capture glimpses of him performing onstage or posing for pictures.”
“RBC is proud to partner with the AGO to showcase an exhibition of such an iconic figure in music and bring their story to life here in Toronto,” says Shannon Cole, Chief Brand Officer, RBC. “We recognize the profound role that art and storytelling play in promoting cultural dialogue and connecting communities in meaningful ways and are pleased to highlight an individual who has made such a lasting impact on the global stage.”
On view on Level 5, AGO Members see Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Stormfirst, beginning February 18, 2026. AGO Annual Passholders can access the exhibition beginning February 27, 2026. The exhibition opens to the public on March 24, 2026, and is free with general admission.
Admission to the AGO is always free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members, and Annual Passholders. For more details on how to book your tickets or to become a Member or Annual Passholder, visit AGO.ca.
About The Exhibition
On Oct. 13, 1963, The Daily Mirror newspaper coined the term “Beatlemania” in response to the wild reaction of fans during a performance on a British variety show. A portrait of a band ascending, the earliest images in the exhibition showcase performances in Liverpool and London, in November of 1963. The next section documents their arrival in Paris on January 14, 1964, and their intense schedule—photo shoots and recording sessions planned around an 18-day run at Paris’s Olympia Theatre, which sometimes included three sets per day.
On February 7, 1964, The Beatles arrived in New York for the first time, and the third section of the exhibition follows the band enroute from London and the frenzied excitement that preceded their first of three televised performances on The Ed Sullivan Show. It features McCartney’s first images of Manhattan, taken through the window of the band’s chauffeur-driven car while fans pursued them down West 58th Street, and the horse-mounted police controlling the crowds outside their hotel.
Traveling across the United States in February 1964, McCartney directed his lens toward fans, workers, police, and press photographers who cheered and hounded the band in equal measure. “In these photographs, McCartney connects with the everyday people he sees, capturing their humanity with empathy. He has said that he has always been drawn to representing the lives of ordinary people in his creative work due to his background. He was raised in a working-class family in Liverpool, where his father worked as a cotton merchant, one of the city’s major trade industries,” notes Broadley.
Arriving in Miami in mid-February, the fourth section of the exhibition makes a startling shift from black and white photography to luscious colour. Here, ahead of their third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the band was able to take some time off. These images capture John, George, Ringo and their friends relaxing by the pool at Miami’s Deauville Resort, boating, swimming, and even attempting to water ski. “Imbued with the spirit of holiday snaps, McCartney’s Miami photographs reflect the fun and novelty of their time there. The band relaxed their usual sartorial standards, swapping suits for ‘Beatles’-branded caps and toweling shirts, provided by the Deauville,” writes Broadley.
Capitalizing on the success of that three-month period, The Beatles returned to North America in August 1964 for their first full North American tour, performing 32 shows across 25 cities, including two sold out shows at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. Photographs from this moment feature some of the musicians who traveled with The Beatles as opening acts. The exhibition closes with a photo of Paul McCartney, reading the Toronto Star, aboard a flight from Toronto to New York.
Programming Highlights
Led by Jim Shedden, AGO Curator, Special Projects & Director, Publishing, Beatlemania! in Toronto is a stand alone installation of ephemera and archival video clips, highlighting how Canada was at the forefront of Beatlemania in North America. Opening at the AGO on February 18, this adjacent presentation features materials from the collection of Canada’s leading Beatles expert, Piers Hemmingsen, as well as photographs and footage from Canadian photographers, filmmakers, and the CBC Archives.On the exhibition’s 24 stop-audio tour, visitors can listen to McCartney’s personal reflections about selected works. Presented by Bloomberg Connects, a free digital app, the audio tour will be available for visitors beginning February 18.
Visit ago.ca/exhibitions/paul-mccartney-photographs-1963-64-eyes-storm for more information on how to download.
Shop & Dine
The Shop offers a curated selection of artful keepsakes inspired by the exhibition — from t-shirts, books, and prints to stationery and more. Highlights include 1964: Eye of the Storm, the 336-page hardcover exhibition catalogue; a double-sided concertina photo book; and limited edition prints of McCartney’s photographs. Starting February 18, 2026, visitors can shop the full range of products online at shop.ago.ca, in-gallery at the Shop and at the exhibition’s dedicated satellite pop-up on Level 5.In celebration of Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm, the Bistro will present a special all-vegetarian Afternoon Tea inspired by the exhibition served in The Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge. The menu will play on nostalgic flavours of British and American cuisine from the 1960s during the height of Beatlemania. AGO Members receive a discount. Stay tuned for full menu and reservations at ago.ca/dine/ago-bistro.
A full list of exhibition-inspired public programs, courses, talks, and family programming will be announced in the new year. Stay tuned to ago.ca for updates.
Exhibition Credit
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm has been organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, England, in collaboration with Paul McCartney. It is curated by Sir Paul McCartney with Sarah Brown for MPL Communications and Rosie Broadley for the National Portrait Gallery. The presentation at the Art Gallery of Ontario is organized by Jim Shedden, Curator, Special Projects & Director, Publishing.lead photo credit
Paul McCartney, West 58th Street, crossing 6th Avenue. New York, February 1964 © 1964 Paul McCartney under exclusive license to MPL Archive LLP
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