Paul McCartney Survives Beatles Disbandment
Even up to now, we still hear people rave about the Beatles, considering that the band only made music together for ten years. A decade is considerably short to make such a huge impact and profound influence in the music industry like what the Beatles did.
After the disbandment, Paul McCartney refused to give up his career. Instead, he gathered his own team of musicians to form Wings. For over a decade, Wings was able to establish an identity without relying on any trace of the Beatlemania.
Paul went on a solo career after Wings’ disbandment. Now over 70 years old, Paul still got his fire burning. He is not looking forward to retirement yet. An artist of his caliber will never ever run out of things to say, hence he will keep writing and singing for as long as his creativity lasts.
Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II back in 1997, Sir Paul McCartney’s music is believed to have touched and inspired generations after generations. This Beatles crooner is also a recipient of the highest musical award vested by the United States—the Gershwin Prize handed by no less than the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Live and Let Die Lyrics
Paul McCartney is a renaissance man. He can paint, write poetry, play any musical instrument, compose, direct, and run a business. There is just probably one thing he admitted he cannot do, and that is to read notes. Yes, this legendary musician creates his masterpieces by simply putting melodies, lyrics, and harmony together. Amazing, right? He did not let his “incompetence”—if you could call it that—get in his way to greatness. What he lacked in technical respect, he compensated in artistry and sheer instinct.
The result: Beautiful music that touches our very soul. Consider the lyrics of this composition:
When you were young and your heart was an open book
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did you know you did)
But if this ever changing world in which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
(Live and let die)
Live and let die
(Live and let die)
What does it matter to ya
When you got a job to do
You gotta do it well
You gotta give the other fellow hell
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did you know you did)
But if this ever changing world in which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Those were the words of his “Live And Let Die” song—the song used for the 1973 James Bond movie of the same title—a pun of the cliché “Live and let live.” His ear for music and flair for words are hard to match. To add to that, he is a fantastic singer (of course that’s an understatement).
The making of a Paul McCartney was no serendipity. As a teenager, Paul knew that he wanted a career in music. Striking a friendship with John Lennon intensified his desire to share his talent to the world. Paul is most alive when performing.
Paul Keeps Working in spite of Gigantic Net Worth
His name is now forever etched in history. Artists of different genre look up to him. They see Paul as a music guru. He’s now valued at 800 million dollars. It’s not easy to achieve what he has accomplished. The esteem he now enjoys is the fruit of hard work and love … love for what he does best.
But what’s in it for him? Why is Paul McCartney not retiring? He’s not in it for money. The royalties he keeps on receiving are enough to keep him live comfortably for the rest of his life. No, it’s not about the money. It’s about achieving more.
Paul is not the type who would settle for what is just there. The way he built his career is a great example of his attitude towards life. He attained his success by continuously improving his craft and learning to play various instruments. This is not an idle man.
Paul is always thinking, always pondering on the many things going on around him. It’s impossible to silence him. He will find a way to express himself—may that be through music, poetry, or film. We could all learn a thing or two about self-expression from Paul.
Paul McCartney’s Early Biography
It is not common knowledge that James “Jim” McCartney, Paul’s father, also had his own band prior to marrying Mary Patricia Mohin. Jim Mac’s Jazz Band played in the 1920s. Mary was a midwife and was almost dubbed as a spinster when she married Jim who, like her, was also resigned to living his whole life in singlehood. Jim was 38 years old and Mary was 31 when the two got married on 15 April 1941.
While Jim was away for a firefighting mission during World War II, his wife gave birth to their first child, Paul James McCartney, on 18 June 1942. Mary then gave birth to another boy they named Peter Michael two years after Paul’s birth. The McCartneys lived a decent and simple life in Liverpool.
Jim was elated when his eldest son showed an aptitude for music at a very young age. He encouraged his boy to take piano lessons in order to nurture his talent. Paul was briefly interested in piano lessons but after having heard of his father’s ability to learn how to play instruments by ear, he no longer paid attention to his piano teacher.
Paul and Michael grew up surrounded by music. Jim made sure that his boys developed a taste for good music. Both of his sons slept with Bakelite headphones while listening to Radio Luxembourg.
The couple was also voracious readers. Mary, instead of reading typical children stories to Paul and Michael, read poetry to lull them to sleep. Jim, on the other hand, spent most of his time completing crossword puzzles with his sons. The family had a complete collection of George Newness encyclopedias. Whenever either of the boys need help understanding some words, Jim would always have them look it up in the books.
Mary was earning a decent keep and as her salary would allow, often transferred to better homes with the rest of her family. The last time the family moved was in 1955. Due to Mary’s services in the hospital, her rent in the 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton was subsidized. Paul and Michael grew up that three–bedroom home littered with dahlias and lavender.
Paul went to Stockton Wood Road Primary School and in 1949, he enrolled in Joseph Williams Junior School. When Paul was 11 years old, he took the Eleven Plus exam. The exam was administered every year to graduating primary students. Passing the exam would mean being able to attend grammar school. Paul was one of the 90 students who took the exam. Only three of them passed enabling him to enroll in Liverpool Institute.
Paul was attending Liverpool Institute when he met a bus driver’s son who shared the same passion with him. George Harrison also liked guitars and music. They easily became friends and the two would often talk about music while on the bus on their way to school and back home.
Writing the Lyrics of I Lost My Little Girl for Mary
In order to give her boys the best quality of life, Mary worked hard. As the town’s midwife, she was always on-call day and night. Whenever a baby had to be delivered, she would ride her bicycle even during bad weather. Although the McCartneys were financially burdened, theirs was a happy home until Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer. When Paul was 14 years old, Mary died of embolism. Her death was so sudden that Paul had nothing to say but, “What are we going to do for money?” Mary was 47 when she died on 31 October 1956.
Mary’s death was hardest for Jim to accept. To give him time to grieve over his loss, Paul and Michael were briefly sent to their Aunt Jin, Jim’s sister. Not knowing how to contain the pain of losing his mother, Paul wrote the lyrics of the song “I Lost My Little Girl” shortly after Mary passed away. It was the first song Paul wrote:
Well, I woke up late this morning,
My head was in a whirl,
Only when I realised I lost my little girl.
Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah.
Well, her clothes are not expensive,
Her hair didn't always curl.
I don't know why I love her
But I love my little girl.
Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah.
Well, gather 'round people,
Let me tell you the story
Of the very first song I wrote.
Well, gather 'round people,
Let me tell you the story
Of the very first song I wrote.
I woke up late this morning,
My head was in a whirl,
Only when I realised I lost my little girl.
Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah.
Playing the Piano, Trumpet, and Guitar
Needless to say, Paul was a smart kid. When he was just learning how to play the piano by ear at 15 years old, he composed the tune of the song the Beatles would later on call “When I’m Sixty–Four.” He practiced playing the piano by himself after his mother died. Months prior to Mary’s demise, Jim gave Paul a trumpet for his 14th birthday.
As much as Paul wanted to learn how to play the trumpet, he could not give up singing altogether. It’s impossible to sing while playing the trumpet. Practicality got the better of him and he decided to trade his precious trumpet with a model 17 Framus Zenith guitar.
He began tutoring himself how to play the guitar by listening to acoustic music and watching guitarists on TV. At first, he hated himself for not getting used to playing the guitar with his right hand like how most guitarists do.
For months, he practiced playing the guitar with his right hand, thinking that it’s how it was supposed to be done. It was only after seeing Slim Whitman, a folk singer, playing the guitar with his left hand that Paul gave up learning how to do it the conventional way.
The Beatles Goes on Tour
Paul became a better guitarist and met John Lennon during a church gathering in Woolton on 6 July 1957. John was the bandleader of The Quarrymen, a band playing popular music ranging from rock and roll to jazz. Paul and John shared something in common—they both lost their mother at a young age. Becoming fast friends, John offered Paul the rhythm guitarist slot in his band.
Surprisingly, Jim was not thrilled about Paul joining John’s band. He told his son that his new friend would only lead him to trouble. Unfazed, Paul kept convincing his father until he allowed him to join them. Eventually, he even gave the band permission to rehearse in their dining room.
In 1958, George Harrison joined The Quarrymen as its lead guitarist. Two years later, Stuart Sutcliffe joined them as bassist. Success remained elusive for The Quarrymen. They kept changing their name hoping that a catchy one would propel them to fame. So The Quarrymen also became known as Beatles, Johnny and the Moondogs, and the Silver Beetles. Just about the time Pete Best joined them as drummer, the band settled for Beatles as their official name.
In 1960, Allan Williams volunteered to take the group to Hamburg to try their luck there. Jim initially attempted to stop Paul from leaving. When he was told that the group would earn around 15 pounds per week, he finally relented. In Hamburg, Stuart Sutcliffe left the Beatles leaving a reluctant Paul to take his place. He didn’t like playing the bass as it meant not being seen in front.
Before Paul left for Hamburg, he was already in a serious relationship with Dot Rhone. The couple maintained their relationship despite the distance. Paul left Dot pregnant and he intended to marry her soon after they get back from Hamburg. He changed his mind after Dot had a miscarriage that resulted in their break-up.
To help him recover from his first heartbreak, Paul gave his all in every Beatles performance. In 1961, the Beatles were invited to play the music of Tony Sheridan’s “My Bonnie” single. That’s where Brian Epstein met the band. He formally took them under his wing in January 1962. Pete Best left the group and Ringo Starr took over the drums.
The Beatles Songs Become Popular
The first single John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr released was “Love Me Do,” which became a hit not only the United Kingdom but also in the United States.
When the band started to become popular, Paul met British actress Jane Asher. They were introduced to each other during a photoshoot and became a couple in November 1963. Paul moved out from their Liverpool family home and lived with Jane in her parents’ place in London.
Paul and Jane’s relationship lasted for five years. His relationship with the beautiful actress inspired Paul to write two of their hit singles: “Yesterday” and “And I Love Her.” A third party in the person of Francie Schwartz ended the couple’s romance. Paul’s career was not as sorry as his love life, though. “Yesterday” became a hit and Beatlemania soon spread like an epidemic. Fans could not get enough of the quartet and most of them rooted for Paul who most people called the “cute Beatle.”
The Beatles’ second album “Rubber Soul” was predominantly Paul’s brainchild and his creativity soon overshadowed John Lennon’s leadership. It did not take long before Paul dominated the scene, earning his friend’s ire. Despite the strain and factions within the group, their second album was a huge success.
It was followed by their third album “Revolver” in 1966. Besides being busy with the Beatles, Paul found time to do other stuff like composing the musical score of the movie “The Family Way.” It earned Paul his first award as a musician—The Ivor Novello Award.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles soon got tired of the kind of music they were making and Paul thought it would do them good to recreate their image. His idea gave birth to “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Paul’s idea appealed to the public and the project was well-received.
Paul met his first wife at a party. Linda Eastman had a crush on John Lennon before she got to know Paul better and decided she liked him more. She was a photographer and a close follower of the Beatles. Linda married the man of her dreams in 1969. Paul adopted Heather, Linda’s daughter from her first marriage and they soon became parents to three more children: Mary, Stella, and James.
The death of their manager, Brian Epstein, in 1967 led to the Beatles’ becoming more factious. During their recording of the singles for the “White Album,” John and Paul were already exchanging heated words in front of the media. It was easy to see that the greatest band of the 60s was nearing its end. In 1969, the group released their last album “Abbey Road.” It was supported by millions of fans all over the world.
Paul McCartney Releases First Solo Album and Forms Wings
It came as a shock to everyone when Paul announced that he was leaving the band. Paul thought it was high time to start a career of his own. Following the Beatles disbandment, he released his first solo album “McCartney.”
Linda stayed beside Paul during his lowest moments. The only way he could get over the loss of his band was to create a band of his own. With his wife Linda, Denny Laine, and Denny Seiwell, the four of them formed Wings in 1971. Henry McCullough soon joined the band when Wings started touring.
Paul wanted to continue his music legacy. He wanted to prove his own worth as an artist. In order to avoid any association with his former band, Wings performed in university halls. Henry and Denny Seiwell did not like the idea of performing with Linda whom they think was a weak member.
They left Wings but Paul was just happy to get on making music with his wife. After ten years of releasing successful albums, Paul was convinced that he was able to prove himself as a noteworthy musician. He announced the disbandment of Wings in 1981.
Linda’s Death Devastates Paul
What kept Paul busy after Wings were painting, business, poetry, and family. Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged Paul’s contribution to UK’s history and knighted him in 1997. After Wings, Paul had more time left in his hands to spend with Linda and the kids.
He did not regret a single second of it. Had he known that he would lose Linda in 1998, he would have spent more time with his family. Linda, like her mother Mary, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She succumbed to her disease in 1998, leaving her devastated husband behind.
Becoming an Animal Activist and a Vegetarian
It took four years before he got into another serious relationship. He dated Heather Mills and married her in 1992. He liked Heather because of her involvement in animal rights. Paul became a vegetarian after seeing how lambs were slaughtered. Like him, Heather had a deep concern for animals and the environment. During the time he was grieving Linda’s death, Paul preoccupied himself by becoming a member of many social organizations. He wanted to make something of his time.
His marriage to Heather lasted for five years. They had a daughter who they named Beatrice Milly before they separated in 2006.
Another five years passed before Paul married for the third time. He became husband to Nancy Shevell in a private ceremony on 17 March 2011. Nancy came from a family of business people.
As proof of Paul’s timeless appeal and fame, he was recently awarded a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Légion d'Honneur by the French Government.
Like us, Paul once dreamt of becoming an accomplished artist. Like him, we could also become who we wanted to be with enough drive and dedication. Unlike most musicians, Paul sustained his spot in the music arena because of his willingness to give his all in the name of music.
To become an effective musician, one has to be intellectually equipped to feel and then effectively translate his or her emotions to lyrics and melody. That’s the key to Paul’s success—talent plus intellect. For that, there could only be one Sir Paul McCartney.
Organisations and Campaigns Supported
- 21st Century Leaders
- Adopt-A-Minefield
- Aid Still Required
- American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
- Band Aid
- Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes
- Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
- Children With Leukemia
- Ferry Aid
- David Lynch Foundation
- David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
- Dorset Wildlife Trust
- Great Ormond Street Hospital
- Greenpeace
- Humane Society of the United States
- Humane Society International
- International Rescue Committee
- Keep A Child Alive
- Kids Wish Network
- Linda McCartney Foods
- Live Aid
- Make Poverty History
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- No More Landmines
- Nordoff Robbins
- ParalympicsGB
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
- Prince's Trust
- Red Cross
- Society for Animal Protective Legislation
- St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters
- STOMP Out Bullying
- TigerTime
- "US Campaign for Burma"
- War Child
- Watering Seeds Organization
- Whatever It Takes
- World Society for the Protection of Animals
- Worldwide Orphans Foundation
Achievements
- Named by Guinness World Records as the "most successful composer and recording artist of all time"
- Named by Guinness World Records as the "most successful songwriter"
- His composition "Yesterday" is the most covered song and most played British song in history
- The only soloist artist, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, and musical ensemble member to make it 1st in the UK charts
- Received a total of four Grammy Awards
- 1966: Received the Best Instrumental Theme from Ivor Novello Awards
- 1973: Band on the Run stayed 124 weeks in the UK charts
- 1974: Band on the Run was named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone
- 1975: The album Band on the Run won the Best Contemporary/Pop Vocal and Best Engineered Album
- 1981: Produced the animated film, "Rupert and the Frog Song"
- 1985: Hosted the documentary, "The Real Buddy Holly Story"
- 1990: Received an award for the highest grossing show of the year from Amusement Business
- 1990: A planet "McCartney" was named in his honor
- 1992: Won BAFTA Award
- 1995: Awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Music
- 1995: Directed "Grateful Dead", a documentary
- 1996: Opened the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts
- 1997: Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
- 1999: Included as a solo artist in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2000: Received Outstanding Contribution to Music from BRIT Awards
- 2001: Published poem and lyrics compilation, Blackbird Singing
- 2003: Back in the World was named Tour of the Year by Billboard
- 2003: Earned the highest income for people in the UK media
- 2005: Published children's book, "High in the Clouds: An Urban Furry Tail"
- 2008: Given the Doctor of Music Honorary Degree by Yale University
- 2010: Considered one of the wealthiest in the UK
- 2010: Given the Gershwin Prize by Pres. Barack Obama
- 2010: Received nomination from Kennedy Center Honors
- 2012: Inducted to Hollywood Walk of Fame
- 2012: Awarded the Légion d'Honneur by French President François Hollande
