Biography
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"Inductee: Paul McCartney (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, drums; born 6/18/42) Paul McCartney was the first of the Beatles to work on an extracurricular recording project (the soundtrack to the 1966 film The Family Way) and also the first to release a bonafide solo album of songs (McCartney, which appeared as the Beatles were dissolving in 1970). McCartney has been the most prolific ex-Beatle and has also enjoyed the greatest measure of commercial success.
Between his work with the Beatles and as a solo artist and leader of Wings, McCartney has written or cowritten more than 50 Top Ten singles. With and without Wings, McCartney has been extremely prolific, averaging an album a year since the appearance of McCartney. Moreover, he’s been eclectic as well, not only recording pop and rock but also dabbling in various classical forms and ambient dance music. In the post-Beatles era McCartney has cracked the Top Forty 35 times. When combined with the Beatles’ 49 Top Forty U.S. singles, it is a matter of statistical fact that Paul McCartney is the most successful pop-music composer ever and the second greatest hitmaker, behind Elvis Presley. Without question he is one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.
Beyond the numerical achievements, McCartney’s career is noteworthy for the purposeful way in which he demystified himself as a rock star in the wake of the Beatles. During the Seventies-a decade of ego-tripping superstars, flamboyant glam-rockers and defiant punk-rockers-McCartney modestly presented himself to the world as a family man who happened to be a working musician. His songs often celebrated the mundane pleasures of everyday life. As a songwriter who delights in the quotidian, as opposed to edgier rock and rollers steeped in mystique and risk-taking, McCartney has rarely been a favorite of rock critics. However, his body of work-some of it admittedly lightweight, much of it unjustly dismissed-has given boundless pleasure to the music-loving public. Having been the primary melodist within the Beatles, it is not surprising that McCartney’s knack for an ear-catching pop tune remained very much in evidence.
McCartney’s low-key solo debut belied the turmoil that attended the simultaneous breakup of the Beatles. Recorded on a four-track machine, this collection of simple songs and fragments found him playing keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. A one-man show that added up to an evocation of (in his own words) “home, family, love,” McCartney anticipated the singer-songwriter movement that would fill the early-Seventies void after the chaos and clamor of the Sixties. McCartney appeared in April 1970, two weeks before Let It Be, the Beatles’ last studio release. A year later came Ram, credited to Paul and Linda McCartney. (The couple were married in March 1969; it was the second marriage for Linda.) Ram became a favorite with FM rock deejays and even yielded a #1 single, the whimsical, ambitious “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.”
For the rest of the decade, save for the odd solo single, McCartney devoted his creative energies to Wings. Under the banner of Wings, McCartney worked with Linda (who played keyboards and sang) and a fairly stable lineup of musicians. Technically, Wings were an entity longer than the Beatles, though there occurred several personnel changes between their formation in 1971 and disbanding ten years later. McCartney clearly intended Wings to be perceived as a band, and he willingly submerged his identity within the group framework, especially on Wings’ much-maligned 1971 debut, Wild Life. Their best recording-it was, in fact, attributed to Paul McCartney and Wings-was Band On the Run (1973). Recorded in Africa by the McCartneys and singer/guitarist Denny Laine (formerly of the Moody Blues), it struck many as McCartney’s attempt to deflect criticism that his post-Beatles’ work lacked substance. The album and its three Top Ten hits-"Jet," “Band on the Run” and “Helen Wheels"-were catchy, energetic and fun, much like the best of the Beatles.
With the addition of guitarist Jimmy McCullough and drummer Joe English, Wings expanded to a five-piece band for Venus and Mars. preserved on Wings Over America, was a major rock and roll event. Commercially, McCartney had his finger on the pulse of the Seventies. Five consecutive Wings albums-Red Rose Speedway, Band on the Run, Venus and Mars, Wings at the Speed of Sound and Wings Over America (a triple live album)-topped the album charts. At the height of punk-rock in 1977, McCartney must be considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Wings’ sentimental tribute to hearth and home, “Mull of Kintyre,” became the best-selling single in British history. So popular were Wings that in 1978 the group could fill a 13-track best-of, Wings Greatest, with nothing but hits. In 1979, Wings switched labels, from Capitol to Columbia, and released their last album, Back to the Egg. The group officially disbanded in April 1981.
McCartney resumed his solo career with 1980’s McCartney II. He followed it with Tug of War (1982), which reunited him with Beatles producer George Martin and was regarded as his strongest outing since Band On the Run. McCartney duetted with Stevie Wonder on Tug of War‘s “Ebony and Ivory” and sang with Michael Jackson on “The Girl Is Mine,” which appeared on the latter’s Thriller; both songs went to #1. Another duet with Jackson, “Say Say Say,” turned up on McCartney’s Pipes of Peace (1983). Give My Regards to Broad Street, a feature film and accompanying soundtrack, released in 1984, included his reworkings of several Beatles songs.
The McCartney catalog has swelled since the mid-Eighties as he’s tackled an eclectic assortment of projects. These include a solid run of solo albums (Press to Play, Flowers in the Dirt, Off the Ground), live albums from two world tours (Tripping the Live Fantastic and Paul Is Live), an acoustic session for MTV (Unplugged: The Official Bootleg), an album of vintage rock and roll covers (Choba B CCCP, initially released only in the Soviet Union), and a pair of electronic “rave” albums issued under the alias “The Fireman.” McCartney also explored classical forms with his Liverpool Oratorio (1991), written with conductor Carl Davis, and the orchestral piece Standing Stone (1997), composed in celebration of the 100th anniversary of EMI, his record label. Also in 1997 came Flaming Pie, a modest masterpiece that nodded to the past while reaffirming his skills as a pop craftsman. McCartney claimed to have been inspired by his involvement in the Beatles’ Anthology, the 1995 TV miniseries and three-volume retrospective of the Fab Four’s recorded work: “The Anthology was very good for me because it reminded me of the Beatles’ standards and the standards that we reached with the songs,” he said.
Another project close to his heart was Wide Prairie, an album of songs by his late wife, Linda McCartney. Highly regarded in her own right as a photographer, animal rights activist and vegetarian cook-not to mention wife, mother and inseparable companion-Linda died of breast cancer in 1998. McCartney returned to his rock and roll roots for the 1999 album Run Devil Run, whose 15 tracks were cut in only one week-much like the Beatles had worked back in the early days. Erasing any doubts that he’d “gone classical,” McCartney asserted, “I still love my rock and roll.”
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| Trivia |
He is one of Britain's wealthiest men: according to the High Court judgment Sir Paul's total fortune comes to £387,012,000.
Still plays his 1964 Epiphone acoustic guitar which he used to compose "Yesterday".
Although all his songs for The Beatles are still credited as "Lennon - McCartney" he individually wrote almost half of all 200 songs for The Beatles, such as "Yesterday", "Let it Be", "Can't Buy Me Love", "Helter Skelter", "Eleanor Rigby", "Yellow Submarine", "Hey Jude" and many more. Only songs in earlier albums are really joint efforts with John Lennon. The co-credit was because of a handshake deal the two had made in their teens.
He appeared as himself in Tracey Ullman's "They Don't Know" music video.
His younger brother, Michael, is better known as Mike McGear of the satirical group "The Scaffold". Michael chose to take the name of McGear as his professional name so as not to capitalise on the fame of his brother.
During his engagement to Jane Asher, Paul (with John Lennon) wrote several songs for Jane's older brother, Peter Asher, of the singing duo Peter and Gordon, including their #1 hit "World Without Love". He also wrote the song "Woman" for them, under the pseudonym of Bernard Webb.
Cousin of Kate Robbins and Ted Robbins.
Born at 2:00pm-BDST
His four children with Linda McCartney are Heather McCartney (adopted from her previous marriage), photographer Mary McCartney, top fashion designer Stella McCartney and musician/sculptor James McCartney. Paul was married to rock photographer Linda Eastman on March 12, 1969 at the Marylebone Register Office.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles January 20, 1988. Citing business differences, he did not attend the induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with his former bandmates George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, in 1992.
His later musical compositions have included classical works, such as the acclaimed 'Liverpool Oratorio' and 'Standing Stone'.
Is in the Guinness Book of World Records with 60 gold discs and sales of over 100 million singles.
Owns the double bass that once belonged to Elvis Presley's bassist Bill Black.
Played about 40 various instruments on two of his solo albums, 'McCartney' (1970) and 'McCartney II' (1980).
According to McCartney, the name of the rock group Wings was inspired by daughter Stella McCartney's birth, which was premature and traumatic; Stella and her mother both almost died. As his daughter was being born by emergency cesarean section, Paul sat outside the operating room and prayed that she be born "on the wings of an angel."
Had wanted The Beatles to do a club tour shortly before they broke up. John Lennon disagreed, thinking that if they did tour again, it should have been in stadium-sized venues.
Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001."
Animal-rights activist, vegetarian, and anti-landmine activist. Created Paul and Linda McCartney charity foundation and several other charities. Donated millions to humanitarian causes across the world, and has been involved in charity recordings and concert performances.
Owns the copyrights to Buddy Holly's song catalogue, and also numerous other compositions, including "Ramblin' Wreck From Georgia Tech".
His song "Yesterday" is one of the most popular songs of all time. Whilst he was looking for the right lyrics, he was temporarily using the line "Scrambled Eggs" until he came up with "Yesterday" in the final version of the song, as it is now known to the world. It became one of the most recorded songs of all time, with more than 3,000 known versions.
Claims his nights in a Japanese prison in 1980 were the only time he had been separated from then-wife, Linda McCartney.
Has written several songs about his former bandmate John Lennon, including "Dear Boy", "Too Many People", "Dear Friend", "Let Me Roll It" and "Here Today."
Has a record 29 #1 singles on the American charts with The Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, and as a solo artist (including one duet with Stevie Wonder).
Fined $200 in 1973 for growing marijuana on his Scotland farm. Arrested and jailed briefly in Japan in 1980 for carrying same substance.
Made an honorary detective by the New York City Police Department for the benefit concert he gave for 9/11 victims, April 2002.
Won last-minute court order preventing Christie's from auctioning his handwritten lyrics to the song "Hey Jude." Paper with lyrics scrawled on it had been expected to bring up to $116,000 at auction scheduled for April 30, but England's High Court, ruled for Sir Paul the day before, deciding that the valuable artifact from The Beatles will remain at auction house until ownership is finally determined by agreement or trial.
Won prize for drawing of a church at age 11. In 2002, from May-August, over 70 of his paintings from past 20 years on view at Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, England.
Daughter, Stella McCartney, was born on September 13, 1971.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 (as a solo artist).
His first guitar was a Zenith archtop f-hole acoustic. He got it at the Rushworth and Drapers Music Store in Liverpool when he was 14, as a gift from his father (brother Mike McGear got a banjo at the same time, but broke his arm at Boy Scout camp a few weeks later).
His song "When I'm 64" was written for his father Jim's 64th birthday.
He wrote his first song, "I Lost My Little Girl", when he was 14. It was never recorded by the Beatles, and was not one of the songs McCartney and Lennon lost in 1969, when their publishing company Northern Songs was sold.
His father, Jim, was a musician, and had a band called Jim Mac's Jazz Band. Paul has fond memories of lying on his bedroom floor and listening to his father play piano.
Along with writing "Hey Jude" for Julian Lennon the summer his parents broke up, Paul also jokingly proposed to Cynthia Lennon, in the wake of his own breakup with Jane Asher. Cynthia appreciated the laugh they both shared-- and the single red rose that Paul had brought.
Was the only member of The Beatles to graduate from Britain's equivalent of high-school; he majored in Art.
Usually considered the most "conventional" of The Beatles, but Paul has had his share of far-out ideas, including the germ of the TV-movie Magical Mystery Tour (1967) (TV), and a "self-portrait" published as a 1960s magazine cover, a psychedelic painting a la Pablo Picasso.
Set up John Lennon's "home studio" for him at Kenwood, with its chain of tape decks; Lennon used this setup to make song demos for the Beatles, and later the infamous 'Two Virgins' album with Yoko Ono (which Paul gave its cover quote).
A lyric sheet to his song "Yesterday" is featured on the front cover of the Marillion album "Script for a Jester's Tear" (released 1983).
In 2002 he changed the writing credits to many of the songs he made with The Beatles to "McCartney & Lennon", to a large public outrage. It is a common misconception, however that this was the first time he had done this. He made the same credit change on his 1976 live album "Wings Over America" to little or no public scrutiny, and to no public comment from John Lennon (who was still alive at the time). Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984) also listed the credit "Songs Composed by Paul McCartney" - including the Beatles songs performed in the movie.
Performed "Let It Be" at Live Aid in 1985. During this performance, Bob Geldof, David Bowie, Alison Moyet and Pete Townshend (of The Who) all came on stage towards the end to sing backup vocals.
Eleven years after the breakup of The Beatles, along with Ringo Starr he played on George Harrison's, "All Those Years Ago", about the death of his singing partner, John Lennon. The last Harrison song he and Starr played on was "When We Was Fab", which takes a look back at The Beatle years.
The three surviving members of The Beatles appeared on three separate episodes of "The Simpsons" (1989). Starr appeared in a 1991 episode of "Brush with Greatness," Harrison appeared in a 1993 episode of "Homer's Barbershop Quartet," and McCartney appeared in a 1995 episode of "Lisa The Vegetarian".
Contributes "Calico Skies" to the "Warchild Hope" album (released 21 April 2003).
Met his first wife Linda McCartney in a London nightclub called the Bag O'Nails.
He was respected by The Beatles producer, George Martin for his superior musicianship, musical inventiveness, and multi-instrumental abilities. Martin said that Paul McCartney was the one with enough attention span to sit at the piano, or in the studio as long as it takes to compose the best melody and harmony for their songs.
In 1998, his song "Blackbird" was covered by Marillion for their live album "Unplugged at the Walls".
Is half of the techno duo The Fireman.
In 1971, he produced (but did not perform on) "Thrillington", an instrumental version of the album "Ram" he recorded with his wife Linda. The songs were presented in orchestral versions, and Paul's work as producer and director was pseudonymously credited to "Percy 'Thrills' Thrillington". The album was not well received by the critics, but is now a much sought-after collectable.
First used the pseudonym "Apollo C. Vermouth" when producing an album for the novelty musical group, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (later known as The Bonzos). He used the pseudonym because record contract obligations prevented him from using his real name on a rival record label. The band repaid McCartney's efforts with a composition entitled "Mister Apollo", a song about an impossibly perfect body builder.
The only member of The Beatles to have been nominated for an Academy Award in his own right.
Favorite singers were Little Richard and Elvis Presley.
Met George Harrison on a bus to school, and asked him to join the band that eventually became The Beatles.
Born on the same day as film critic Roger Ebert, and two days before fellow musician and composer Brian Wilson.
Owned a ranch in Tucson, Arizona; this was where first wife Linda McCartney died.
Owns a Hollywood Hills manor property purchased from Courtney Love, and Ellen DeGeneres.
The Beatles were voted the Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artists of all time by Rolling Stone. They also topped a similar list complied by VH1.
Played bass on the Band Aid 20 re-recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?". [November 2004]
At 5' 11", he was the tallest member of The Beatles, being about half an inch taller than the late George Harrison.
Several of his solo albums (and those with Wings) featured cover photos by first wife Linda McCartney, including "Ram", with a picture of him handling a ram at his Scottish farm (John Lennon later parodied this picture in his "Imagine" album, grasping the ears of a pig). The back cover included a photo of bugs mating; while it was unintentional, several fans thought this illustrated a negative attitude towards the Beatles.
Is portrayed by Mark J. Richardson in Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story (1995) (TV)
As of 2005, has released 32 studio albums, of which 30 feature pop music and 2 feature classical compositions. He has stated that he hopes to compose more classical pieces in the future, as well as a desire to venture into jazz at some point.
Showed his paintings at Concert at HP Pavilion in San Jose (November 8th) leading up to his performance as apart of his US Tour
One of the guitars he used in his US tour (2005) was the one he used on The Beatles' appearance on "Toast of the Town" (1948) (aka The Ed Sullian Show) in the early 1960s.
Though a huge fan of 'Weird Al' Yankovic's work, turned down his request to parody Paul's James Bond song "Live and Let Die" as "Chicken Pot Pie" for vegetarian reasons.
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industries in 2006, The Beatles are the biggest popular music act of all time, with over 400 million albums sold officially, while the total number of all Beatles' records sold was over 1 billion copies.
Released his new album 'Memory almost full' in 2007.
Created a collection of oil paintings, and had a one man art show in London.
He still owns an interest in Apple Corps, the Beatles's company. His own company MPL Communications owns a sizable publishing catalog, with over 25 thousand copyrights (songs, poems, images, recordings, etc.).
He and John Lennon quibbled bitterly in the press after the break up of The Beatles. However, in 1977, they met in New York, and watched the episode of "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in which Lorne Michaels offered $3000 to see The Beatles get back together. He and Lennon considered turning up that night together as a joke, but were too tired to follow through.
All 34 of his solo albums have made the Billboard Top 200, something very few solo artists have achieved. 12 of them, including "Wingspan", went to #1.
Had a remarkable 62 top 100 singles from 1971-2005, under a variety of categories. 17 of them went to #1.
Won five Grammys, including two with The Beatles. His "Eleanor Rigby" was Best Pop/Rock and Roll or Contemporary song. His "Michelle" won for Song Of The Year. "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsy" won for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)/Best Background Arrangement, "Band On The Run" won for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and "Rockestra Theme" won for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
He loved and was flattered by Ray Charles's cover of "Eleanor Rigby", but John Lennon did not like the version.
Friends with Neil Young, who inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He and his long-time wife, Linda McCartney, said that Young was their favorite performer. His favorite song of Young's is "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".
Father-in-law of Alistair Donald and Alasdhair Willis.
Has five grandsons and one granddaughter: Mary McCartney's three sons Arthur Alistair Donald (b. 3 April 1999) Elliot Donald (b. 1 August 2002), and Sam Aboud (b. 11 August 2008), and Stella McCartney's sons Miller Alasdhair James Willis (b. 25 February 2005) and Beckett Robert Lee (b. 8 January 2008), and daughter Bailey Linda Olwyn Willis (b. 8 December 2006).
During his engagement to Jane Asher, Paul (with John Lennon) wrote several songs for Jane's older brother, Peter Asher, of the singing duo Peter and Gordon, including their #1 hit "World Without Love". He also wrote the song "Woman" for them, under the pseudonym of Bernard Webb.
Winner of the Sony Award For Technical Excellence in 1983.
Winner of the British Phonographic Industry Award for British Male Solo Artist in 1983.
Named "Man of the Year" at the GQ awards ceremony. (6 September 2006)
The Scissor Sisters' second album, Ta-Dah, has a song entitled Paul McCartney.
His grandchildren Arthur and Elliot are older than his daughter Beatrice.
Is portrayed by Gary Bakewell in The Linda McCartney Story (2000) (TV).
[Sunday 13 November 2005] Became the very first musician to perform live music for an audience in space. This music milestone occurred during his concert in Anaheim, California, when he sang "Good Day Sunshine" and "English Tea" for NASA Astronaut Bill McArthur and Russian Cosmonaut Valery Tokarev who were orbiting some 220 miles above earth in their Space Shuttle Discovery.
Has a stepsister Ruth McCartney, adopted by his father when he married Ruth's mother.
The Beatles were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]
The hit Yesterday does not feature any of the other members of The Beatles. It's just McCartney and a string section. As such, the record company considered releasing it as a McCartney solo song, but decided not to because of objections by John Lennon.
Is portrayed by Gary Bakewell in Backbeat (1994).
Inducted with John Lennon into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987.
In 1957, his knowledge of song lyrics , most notably Eddie Cochran's 1956 recording of "Twenty Flight Rock" with its 12 bar blues format, as well as Paul's superior ability to play guitar (including being able to tune one) impressed John Lennon so much that he invited McCartney to join his band the Quarry Men, which later became The Beatles.
Although he was clearly The Beatles' lead vocalist and bass player, he was also an accomplished lead guitarist whose vibrato-laced solos can be heard on "Taxman," "Drive My Car," "Ticket to Ride," "Another Girl," and other Beatles' hits.
Winner of the 2007 Q Icon Award.
Because of his 2008 divorce, he became the fourth and final member of The Beatles to get a divorce. Among the four, McCartney had the longest marriage (to Linda McCartney), although Ringo Starr is still married to his second wife (and has been since 1981).
28 October 2003: A daughter named Beatrice Milly was born to Paul and wife Heather Mills. She was named after Heather's late mother Beatrice and Paul's Aunt Milly.
In July 2001, shortly after their engagement was announced, his fiancée Heather Mills lost her $21,000 diamond and sapphire engagement ring, which was later found on a golf course.
In 2007, before completion of the film Across the Universe (2007), director Julie Taymor brought the post-production copy to a private screening with Paul McCartney, and he liked the film. Yoko Ono also approved the film.
In 2006, he donated $2 million to Adopt-a-Minefield.
Turned down the offer to write a new James Bond song for Quantum of Solace (2008), and recommended singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse for the job.
Winner of the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2008. The Beatles previously won the award in 1977 and 1983, putting McCartney in a select group with John Lennon, Sting and Freddie Mercury as the only people to have won the award in a band and as an individual.
In September 25th, 2008 performed in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the first time, after more than 40 years after the ban of the Israeli government on the Beatles performing in Israel. The concert was titled "Friendship First".
He and the Beatles were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
He and the Beatles were awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1965 Queen's Birthday Honours List for their services to music.
Was good friends with professional Wrestler Giant Haystacks aka Lochness.
Plays left-handed guitar.
Paul played all the instruments and did all the vocal tracks on his 1970 recording of "Maybe I'm Amazed".
He was the only "ex Beatle" to appear on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with his 1970 video of "Maybe I'm Amazed".
In one of his first solo recordings following The Beatles breakup in 1970, Paul played all the instruments and did all the vocal tracks on "Maybe I'm Amazed".
He was the only "ex Beatle" to appear on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with his 1970 video of "Maybe I'm Amazed".
On 15 May 1968, Paul McCartney and John Lennon appeared as "talk show" guests on NBC TV's "The Tonight Show" with guest host Joe Garagiola. They mentioned that the two of them walked through NYC's Central Park the previous Sunday unnoticed by the many passersby.
He reportedly turned down a part in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet (1968/I). McCartney didn't believe he would be good enough and the Beatles were recording Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band at the time.
The 2009 Sunday Times List estimated his net worth at $720 million.
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| VITAL STATS | Paul McCartney Information:
| | Eye color: | Hazel | | Height: | 5'11" (1.80 m) | | Nickname(s): | Macca, the cute Beatle | | Notable feature(s): | His Gorguse Face | | Education: | Liverpool Institute, Liverpool, England | | Family: | Four daughters and a son | | Resides in: |
| | Religious affiliations: | Baptized Roman Catholic, though not practicing | | Political affiliation: |
| | Personal interests/hobbies: |
| | Charities/Causes: |
| | Other: |
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monkee2178posted 72 days ago
