The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland has opened a new exhibit, “Paul McCartney and Wings,” featuring the largest collection of McCartney's personal artifacts ever publicly displayed. The exhibit, which opened on Friday, focuses on McCartney's life after The Beatles and his band Wings, showcasing instruments, handwritten songwriting notes, and photographs taken by his wife, Linda.
Andy Leach, the museum’s senior director of museum and archival collections, said the exhibit explores McCartney’s reinvention as a husband and father after The Beatles' breakup. Wings, which ran from 1971 to 1981, incorporated family life into its public identity, with Linda McCartney serving as keyboardist and harmony vocalist. Leach noted that this was “remarkable and unusual” for the male-dominated rock era.
Leach travelled to London to work with McCartney and his team to prepare artifacts, including guitars and performance clothing. The majority of items come from McCartney’s personal collection. Visitors can also step into a recreation of the McCartneys’ Scottish farmhouse, where Paul and Linda retreated after The Beatles' breakup and set up a recording studio.
Linda McCartney’s photographs, which highlight her role at the centre of the family and band, are featured prominently. She was an acclaimed artist and the first female photographer to have a photo on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1968. Other artifacts include handwritten scores by producer George Martin for “Uncle Albert” and the James Bond theme “Live and Let Die.”
The exhibit is expected to remain open for at least a year, with hopes of continuing through summer 2027. Leach described the timing as “perfect” due to renewed interest in Wings, spurred by the Amazon Prime documentary “Man on the Run,” a new box set, and the 2025 book “Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run.”
