Personally, I find it difficult to believe that it has been ten years that we - and, obviously, Paul and their family - have been without Linda. It seems a lot more recent than that and yet the dates don't lie.
The upcoming photographic exhibition in London is a very appropriate way to remember Linda's art and creativity, but there aren't many days that go by during which I don't hear Linda's vocals on one of Paul's tracks and I was reminded (by listening to Bill do a satirical version of Dear Boy on Strawberry Fields Radio) just how difficult some of those vocals were. Although perhaps not the most gifted or natural musician in the world, she was able to make valuable contributions to Paul's music and it has to be said that, without Linda's vocals, Paul's music for almost three decades would have sounded quite different - certainly the feel of it.
The one piece of music I know that Linda is solely responsible for is the bridge in Live And Let Die, the reggae-ish "What does it matter to ya?" bit. It's cool knowing that Linda wrote that bit, because it really helps make the song the classic that it is. Although I'm not exactly in love with Cook Of The House, it has a great deal of charm and, indeed, the Linda McCartney album Wide Prairie is surprisingly good. I listened to it today as a tribute to Linda.
Another huge part of Linda's influence on the world was her love of animals and commitment to vegetarianism. With her name and recipies, she helped launch a range of vegetarian ready meals and foods which, even today, still bears her name and led to many competitors springing up. I seem to remember someone interviewing her and asking if she was concerned about competitors and she replied something to the effect that she was just happy that there was more vegetarian food on the market. That was what mattered to her, not the profits, although I'm sure the McCartneys didn't exactly want to make a loss.
Watching her in interviews alongside Paul - they just made such a great team. Linda would field questions on behalf of Paul and deal with them with warmth and wit. They were obviously very compatible and, although they both had their baggage, they soon became the very model of a loving, caring, devoted couple and I certainly remember, when I was growing up, hoping that I had that kind of thing with someone when I was older. I'm sure, like any married couple, they had their rough times, but they were strong and their love was both inspiring and genuine. I think the past ten years without her has proved - if the fact needed proof, that is - just how good Linda was for Paul.
Anyway, those are my personal thoughts about Linda. I admired her greatly, loved - and aspired to - the kind of relationship and family life she and Paul enjoyed and miss her because of the kind person she was, the art that she produced and because my heart hurts for Paul that he lost somebody so very close to him, so very irreplaceable. Miss you, Linda.
