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Saturday 23 April 2016

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney was born June 18, 1942 in Walton Hospital, Liverpool, where his mother, Mary (1909–1956), had qualified to practice as a nurse. His father, James ("Jim") McCartney (1902–1976), was absent from his son's birth due to his work as a volunteer firefighter during World War II.

Mary McCartney died when her son was just 14 years old. Paul struggled with the grief for around 8 years, until one night she appeared to him in a dream saying things like "Don't worry, live your life, let it be". From this he wrote the world famous Beatles song "Let It Be."

Paul McCartney wrote his first song, "I Lost My Little Girl", when he was 14 in 1956.

The first time Paul McCartney ever sung at stage was at Butlins holiday camp in Wales when he was there with his parents. He played the guitar and sang Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally."

A 15-year-old Paul McCartney first met 16-year-old John Lennon at a St Peter’s Parish Church party in Woolton, Liverpool in 1957. Lennon's group, The Quarrymen were performing at the do whilst Paul, who was baptized a Roman Catholic but was being raised without religion attended the function. Impressed by Paul's ability to tune a guitar and by his knowledge of song lyrics, John asked him to join his band as lead guitarist.

McCartney originally played guitar for The Beatles, he switched to bass when Stu Sutcliffe left. John Lennon and George Harrison both refused to switch from guitar.

McCartney with Lennon, Harrison and Starr, 1964

His Beatles song "Yesterday" has been covered by over 2,200 artists, more than any other copyrighted song in history.

Paul McCartney loved his Old English sheepdog Martha so much he dedicated The White Album song "Martha My Dear" to her.

Paul McCartney married photographer Linda Eastman at Marylebone Register Office on March 12, 1969. None of the other Beatles attended (George Harrison was actually helping police after a drug raid on his home in which he was arrested.)


Linda Eastman had a daughter, Heather, whom he adopted. McCartney and Linda had three more children together, named Mary, Stella and James. Stella later became a popular fashion designer.

The Beatles officially broke up in 1970.  McCartney formed the successful soft-rock group Wings with his wife, Linda. They had many hit records, including "Band On The Run" and "Mull Of Kintyre" before disbanding in 1981.

McCartney performing with wife Linda in 1976. By Jim Summaria - Wikipedia Commons

Paul McCartney's 1971 song "Uncle Albert" was about a real uncle of his, who when drunk would quote and read from the Bible, but when sober would not be seen near one.

In 1972 Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested backstage in Gothenburg, Sweden, for possession of six ounces of cannabis. It had been mailed to them by someone in McCartney's office who thought they would like some weed on the road. The couple were  released after paying a combined fine of $1,200.

In 1972, McCartney wrote "Live And Let Die" for the James Bond movie of that name one Sunday afternoon after reading the 1954 Ian Fleming novel.

McCartney has been a strict vegetarian since 1975; he insists his crew not eat meat either, at least while on the road with him. He and his wife Linda decided to stop consuming meat after Paul saw lambs in a field as they were eating a meal of lamb.

Paul McCartney only agreed to appear on The Simpsons if Lisa's decision to become a vegetarian in that episode was made permanent. He is literally the only reason Lisa is still a vegetarian.

Linda McCartney launched a line of vegetarian frozen dinners, which became popular, and in time made Linda wealthy on her own.

In 1980 Paul McCartney was incarcerated in Tokyo after it was discovered that he had half a pound of weed in his possession. He spent ten days in a Japanese jail before being booted out of Japan with his tour cancelled.

Paul McCartney being interviewed at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, January 1980. By Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, 

McCartney became friends with Michael Jackson, but this ended after Jackson outbid McCartney for ownership of the publishing company which owned most of the Beatles's music.

Paul McCartney's original birth certificate was sold for $84,146 on March 22, 1997. in an auction held by the Fame Bureau in London. The buyer was identified as an American collector who wished to remain anonymous.

The birth certificate was dated June 18, 1942, and was signed by the registrar of births for the City of Liverpool. It listed McCartney's full name as James Paul McCartney, and his parents' names were also included on the document.

 McCartney, holding a guitar, in 2010. By Oli Gill  Wikipedia Commons

Linda Eastman died in 1998 of breast cancer (McCartney's mother also died from the same disease in 1956).

McCartney married former swimwear model Heather Mills in 2002; the couple's daughter Beatrice was born in 2003.

Heather Mills is a disabled-rights activist. Her leg was amputated below the knee in 1993 after she was hit by a police motorcycle

McCartney and Mills separated in 2006, and, after a long battle over a settlement, they divorced in March 2008.

McCartney married New Yorker Nancy Shevell, 51, in a civil ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall, London, on October 9, 2011. It was the same venue as where  the singer and his first wife, Linda McCartney, married in 1969. The wedding was a modest event attended by a group of about 30 relatives and friends.


Paul McCartney was made a Knight by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on March 11, 1997 for his contributions to music and to British culture, and for his charity work. "Proud to be British, wonderful day and it’s a long way from a little terrace in Liverpool," McCartney told reporters.

In 2010, Sir Paul McCartney was honored by President Barack Obama with the Gershwin Prize for his contributions to popular music.

McCartney receiving the 2010 Gershwin Prize from US President Barack Obama.
Paul McCartney performed at the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony for the astonishing amount of  £1 ($1.57).

Source Artistfacts

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