In a poignant revelation from the new documentary Paul McCartney: Man on the Run, Stella McCartney has opened up about the deep hurt her late mother, Linda McCartney, endured due to bullying from fans and critics. Linda, a photographer by trade, joined her husband Paul's band Wings as a founding member in 1971, just a year after he left The Beatles, but her role was often met with harsh scrutiny.
Emotional Toll of Public Ridicule
Stella McCartney, 54, shared heartfelt insights into how the criticism affected her mother, who passed away from cancer in 1998 at age 56. "She wasn't a cookie-cutter example of someone you put in a band. What they, and she especially, had to go through, like when they isolated her voice and ridiculed her? I mean, it breaks my heart," the designer stated in the film. She added, "I know that there was pain there. I knew she hurt. She wasn't like, cold."
Paul McCartney's Defense of Linda
Paul McCartney, now 83, also addressed the backlash in the documentary, recalling how people questioned Linda's inclusion in Wings. He remembered critics saying, "'She can't do this, she can't sing, she can't play piano, she can't do anything. Oh, they're crazy man, what's he got his old lady in the band for? Who the hell is this?'" However, McCartney firmly disagreed, praising Linda's unique singing style for giving the songs a "special sound."
Linda's Resilience and Impact
Despite the negativity, Stella highlighted her mother's strength, noting that Linda's resilience showcased "her bravery and spirit. That side to her boosted a side that [McCartney] had perhaps lost." In a 1973 interview with NME, Linda herself downplayed the public's opinion, saying, "I don't know the public's idea of me, because it varies so much. Sometimes I hear I intrude, then I hear I don't come on enough, then I hear I can't play. I must own up: personally, I don't get annoyed."
Background on Wings and Family
Wings, formed in London as a British rock band, featured Paul McCartney on vocals and bass, Denny Laine on guitar and vocals, and Denny Seiwell on drums, alongside Linda on keyboard and harmony vocals. The band produced hits like Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, and Jet before quietly disbanding in 1981. Paul and Linda married in 1969 and remained together until her death, raising children Stella, Mary, 56, and James, 48, with Paul also adopting Linda's daughter Heather, 63, from a previous marriage.
Documentary Details and McCartney's Reflections
Man on the Run, directed by Morgan Neville, explores McCartney's life post-The Beatles, including his solo career and time with Wings. At a London screening earlier this year, McCartney expressed emotion upon seeing footage of Linda, saying, "Seeing me and Linda interacting is very special because, you know, she is not here anymore. Me and Linda, the kids. The music. Me and John [Lennon]. These memories, it is like a life flashing in front of you." The film is set to stream on Prime Video from February 27.
Legacy and Upcoming Projects
Paul McCartney rose to fame as a bassist and singer for The Beatles during Beatlemania. His legacy continues with an upcoming four-part film series directed by Sam Mendes, where he will be portrayed by Paul Mescal, alongside Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, scheduled for a simultaneous theatrical release in 2028.
