Composer, singer, writer, and even painter – all these titles describe Paul McCartney, the eminent Liverpudlian who arguably brought more fame to the city than anyone else. Perhaps only his Beatles bandmate, John Lennon, could challenge that claim. Next on liverpoolski, we analyse the success story of this remarkable man who lived and worked here.
Early Life and Education
Sir James Paul McCartney, who would later co-found the world-famous rock band The Beatles, was born in a suburb of Liverpool in 1942. His mother, Mary, was a nurse at the clinic where her ‘star’ child was born. His father, James, who was of Irish descent, worked in a munitions factory. He was also a musician and, in the 1920s, had even been part of a well-known Liverpool jazz band. James played the trumpet and piano and passed on his love of music to both his sons: Paul, the elder, and his younger brother, Michael.
Paul started school at the age of five. He learned to play music from a young age and received his first award at ten after a school concert. A year later, he moved up to secondary school, the Liverpool Institute, where he studied until he was 17. In 1956, Paul’s mother died of breast cancer, which had a profound emotional impact on the young man, causing him to become withdrawn.
Nevertheless, music became a lifeline for McCartney. His father continued to support his son’s passion, and Paul absorbed his guidance well. He quickly learned not only how to play the guitar but also how to write musical compositions. As for his regular schooling, the future musician was very diligent and attentive. He loved literature most of all and it was the only subject in which he achieved a top grade in his exams, which is unsurprising given his love of poetry. Paul was also interested in exhibitions and theatre premieres, showing a love for the arts in general. At one point, he even considered becoming a theatre director but was too late in submitting his university application and couldn’t get a place.
While still at college, McCartney had a small side business working as a travelling salesman. This experience shaped his character, as the young man learned how to hold a conversation with anyone and to be friendly, open, and positive with people.
The Beatles
A pivotal moment in the musician’s life was meeting John Lennon. This happened in 1957 when a school friend of Paul’s invited him to join the youth band The Quarrymen, which Lennon had founded. At least two factors contributed to their friendship. First, John, like Paul, had lost his mother at a young age, which gave them a lot of common ground. Second, McCartney helped his friend master the guitar, as Lennon didn’t yet have a good command of the instrument, playing it more like a banjo.
Paul had known another future band member, George Harrison, even earlier. In 1958, he was also brought into The Quarrymen. Paul inspired John to not just cover songs but to create their own. The young men also worked well together, creating arrangements, melodies, and lyrics. They were already focused on rock and roll rather than skiffle, looking to role models like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly.
Eventually, this trio became the foundation of The Beatles (a play on “beat” and “beetles”), which had gone through several name changes. Other members came and went: some got bored, while others found it difficult to get along with John. At the end of the 1950s, gigs at venues in Liverpool gave the talented lads their first experiences, and from the 1960s, true Beatlemania began. Soon, another legendary member, Ringo Starr, joined the group, and McCartney switched from rhythm guitar to bass guitar.
It was Paul McCartney who wrote the group’s first hits, “Love Me Do” and “How Do You Do It?”. These were the works of a mature musician, although there had been some setbacks before. He was also an undisputed authority within the group, and the others listened to his advice. The musicians were literally on fire with creativity and were also true intellectuals, which set them apart from many of their peers.
In 1963, thanks to the song “She Loves You,” The Beatles became the most popular band in Great Britain. 1964 was their breakthrough year on the world stage, first in continental Europe and then in the USA. At their concerts, fans would descend into hysterics, with McCartney and Lennon being particularly adored. But soon, in the early 1970s, the band broke up.
At the time, many believed that McCartney was the one who initiated the split. But much later, Paul himself said that Johnny was the one to blame. One day he walked into a room and said:
– “I’m leaving The Beatles.” It’s quite thrilling, like getting a divorce.
The Band Wings and His Solo Career
From 1971, partly thanks to his wife Linda, Paul McCartney began a new phase of his career. The musician’s wife formed a duo with him, which performed under the name Wings and was acclaimed as the best in Great Britain. However, Paul’s former colleagues spoke negatively about his new project. Paul continued to play and sing, and also brought famous musicians Denny Laine and Denny Seiwell into the group.
Paul and John remained friends until the latter’s death following his murder in 1980. They also occasionally took part in joint concerts. After Lennon’s death, McCartney ceased his activities with Wings because he feared that he too could be killed one day. The most successful Wings project was the album “Band on the Run”.
Next came his solo career, with its first major achievement being the album Tug of War. It is considered the best of the singer and musician’s entire subsequent career. McCartney created many works with outstanding contemporaries like Tina Turner, Elton John, and Eric Stewart. But these tracks were not all equally successful; huge hits were interspersed with some less successful releases.
Although pop and rock were his main genres, he also wrote classical symphonic works, such as the fairytale ballet “Ocean’s Kingdom,” which is considered a true masterpiece. In 2012, it was performed by the Royal Ballet company. The former Beatles member also wrote soundtracks for British animated films. In 2015, the animated film “High in the Clouds” was released, with a screenplay by Paul McCartney and his friend Geoff Dunbar.
This creative genius also showed up in cinema. In 2016, it was announced that the Liverpool legend would be filming a role in the 5th instalment of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The film was released in 2017, with McCartney singing one of his songs in an episode. Before this, he had appeared mainly in documentary films.
Occasionally, Paul would recall his youth and team up for a creative collaboration with his former Beatles colleague, Ringo Starr. This happened, for instance, in 2010 and 2017.
Awards and Accolades
Paul McCartney is a true legend of Liverpool and all of Britain. He has countless awards, here are just a few:
- He is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most successful musician and composer in the history of pop music. His figures are astounding – 100 million singles sold and 60 gold discs.
- The song “Yesterday,” written by Paul, is the most covered song by other musicians, and it has been played a staggering 7 million times on American radio and television.
- In 1983, McCartney received an award from the Brit Awards for Best British Male Artist.
- In 1999, the singer and musician from Liverpool was recognised as an outstanding solo artist. Since then, he has been a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he joined the likes of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.