Paul McCartney: Introduction
Paul McCartney is a British singer, songwriter, and musician who was originally the bass guitarist with The Beatles, of course. McCartney was born in Liverpool on June 18, 1942, with the full name of James Paul McCartney. In 1997, he received a knighthood from the Queen for services to music, and so he became Sir James Paul McCartney.
Paul McCartney: Early Life
McCartney’s mother, Mary, was a midwife, while his father, James ‘Jim’ McCartney, was a volunteer firefighter in World War II when Paul was born. In 1955, the family moved to a house in Allerton, 20 Forthlin Road, which still exists. In fact, in 1995, the National Trust took ownership of the property.
The National Trust still markets the property as “the birthplace of the Beatles.” This is because the composing and rehearsals of many early Beatles’ songs took place there.
The McCartney family moved out in 1964 as Beatlemania kicked into gear.
Paul’s father was a musician and indeed led the “Jim Mac’s Jazz Band” in the 1920s. They had an upright piano in the living room, and Jim would encourage his sons, Paul and Michael, to play it.
Indeed, Paul composed an early tune on this piano, which later evolved into “When I’m Sixty-Four.”
When Paul McCartney reached the age of 14, his dad bought him a trumpet. But he would soon trade this in for an acoustic guitar. Indeed, he wanted to be able to play an instrument while singing at the same time.
Since McCartney uses his left hand to play, he had to reverse the strings on his guitar. He was then able to write and sing his first song, “I Lost My Little Girl.”
He also joined the choir at St. Barnabas’ Church in Mossley Hill after his failed audition with Liverpool Cathedral at the age of 11. His first public performance was in a talent competition at Bultin’s holiday camp in Filey, North Yorkshire. There he played a Little Richard song called “Long Tall Sally” since the American singer had a big influence on him.
Quarrymen Connection
Shortly after they moved into 20 Forthlin Road, while McCartney was only 14, his mother died. This was obviously a great loss to him. Then, when Paul met up with John Lennon there was a point of connection since Lennon’s mother, Julia, died when he was 17.
McCartney was 15 when he met Lennon, who had a band called “The Quarrymen.” Soon after that meeting on July 6, 1957, McCartney became the rhythm guitarist for the band. The music they played then was a mixture of skiffle and rock and roll.
In 1960, the band changed their name to The Beatles, but not before trying other names such as Johnny and the Moondogs, The Beatals and The Silver Beetles. Imagine if they had stuck with one of those names!
George Harrison was soon to join the band as the lead guitarist, with Stuart Sutcliffe as bass guitarist and Pete Best on drums.
The band would travel to Hamburg, Germany, a few times as a resident group. Then, when Stuart Sutcliffe left the band, Paul reluctantly became the bass guitarist. They were also the backing band for British singer Tony Sheridan. However, in 1961, when they recorded the song “My Bonnie” with Tony Sheridan, the credit for the backing group was The Beat Brothers.
This record caught the attention of a few influential people, and in 1962, after Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best on drums and Brian Epstein became manager, The Beatles signed up with EMI. Of course, The Beatles then became the biggest and best band in the world.
Paul is Dead: Theory
In 1967, a great hoax and conspiracy theory came to the fore. The allegations were that Paul McCartney died in a car crash in November 1966. So, The Beatles replaced him with a look-alike character.
Conspiracy theorists slowed down songs and even reversed them in order to find clues. For example, in the track “Revolution 9,” we hear John Lennon repeat the words, number 9 regularly. However, in reverse, some people believe it says, “Turn me on, dead man.” Indeed, it was this piece that gave the conspiracy theorists their first clue.
From then on, they overlooked nothing. They would inspect everything from album covers to the colours of the interior record sleeves. The “Abbey Road” album itself provides conspiracists with many clues. From the registration number on the parked VW Beetle to McCartney being in bare feet as he walked the crossing.
Of course, Paul McCartney didn’t die in a car crash, but some conspiracy theorists still won’t accept this. Read more about this theory here.
Girlfriends
While still in Liverpool, McCartney had a two-and-a-half-year relationship with Dot Rhone. They were due to marry, but things didn’t quite go to plan after Dot suffered a miscarriage and the relationship ended.
He then met actress Jane Asher in London. This was while the Beatles were performing at the Royal Albert Hall on April 18, 1963. By November, Paul and Jane were living together in her parents’ home at 57 Wimpole Street, London.
While living at Asher’s home, Paul would write many songs, including “Yesterday.” However, the couple would move into Paul’s home in St. John’s Wood in March 1966, and they planned to marry. Then, after a five-year relationship, Jane broke off the engagement when she found out about Paul’s involvement with an American woman called Francie Schwartz.
Paul also had a “secret” relationship with model Maggie McGivern, which lasted for three years until early 1969.
Wives
Linda Eastman
Paul McCartney married American photographer and musician Linda Eastman in March 1969. The couple had met a few times, first at the Shea Stadium in 1966 and then formally at a Georgie Fame concert in 1967. Paul and Linda then formed the band “Wings” in 1971.
Linda died from breast cancer in 1998 at the young age of 56. Together, the couple had three children, and Paul officially adopted Linda’s daughter, Heather.
Heather Mills
In June 2002, Paul married Heather Mills and they had one child together called Beatrice Milly. However, they legally divorced each other in March 2008.
Nancy Shevell
Paul married American Nancy Shevell on October 9, 2011, after being together as a couple since November 2007. Their marriage took place in Old Marylebone Town Hall, London, with around 30 friends and relatives in attendance. This was indeed where his first wedding took place, in 1969.
Paul McCartney and Wings
The individual Beatles were heading in different directions in the late 1960s. By the time they recorded the “White Album,” this became more noticeable. However, The Beatles continued recording together right up until 1970, when they finally broke up. By this time, the marriage of Paul and Linda Eastman was still going strong.
In 1971, drummer Denny Seiwell joined up with Paul and Linda to make some recordings.
Then, in the same year, guitarist Denny Laine joined the trio to form the band “Wings.”
The band released many albums and was a massive success. Perhaps their best song was “Mull of Kintyre” from 1977, which at the time was the biggest selling single ever in the UK. Wings disbanded in April 1981 after Denny Laine quit the band.
Paul McCartney: His Solo Career
Paul McCartney is a multi-talented musician and can play many instruments.
When The Beatles broke up in 1970, Paul had the option of continuing with a music career or giving in. However, he loves music so much that we are very lucky to see his career go from strength to strength. Firstly as a solo artist, then with Wings and back to a solo act.
The enthusiasm and energy that Sir Paul McCartney has becomes evident in his concerts and other performances. Indeed, he released an album in 2018 called “Egypt Station” that also went to number one on many charts around the world!
McCartney has become the “most honoured composer and performer in music” according to the “Guinness Book of World Records” (1979). The same book in 2009 also gives Paul the title of “most successful songwriter.” His song “Yesterday” has over 2,500 recorded versions, making it one of the most covered songs ever.
Paul McCartney is, without doubt, a genius. Using his musical talent and humour, he has given the world possibly more pleasure than anyone else ever. More popular than Jesus? Not quite, but very close!
Paul McCartney is a living legend. His commitment to the Beatles could never be in doubt. In fact, forget about others; Paul McCartney is the best musician ever. We have a living legend with us right now!
Paul McCartney is my favourite Beatle.
He always has been and always will be.
I fully agree with Ringlet; Paul McCartney is with us now and is a living legend.
His name will go down in history with the best of them.