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Paul McCartney...the cute BeatleJames Paul McCartney was born June 18,1942 at Walton General Hospital in Liverpool, England to Jim and Mary McCartney. "Jim was allowed to see the baby almost immediately, but was shocked to see that his only son and heir looked in his words 'like a horrible piece of red meat'." The next day Jim "had reconsidered and decided that 'he was looking better and better all the time. He turned out to be a lovely baby in the end you know'." Paul's brother Michael McCartney, also known as Mike McGear, was born two years later. During his childhood Paul moved many times, however when he was 13 his family moved to 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, which was across from a golf course. Little did he know that he was less than one mile from John's Aunt Mimi's house. Unfortunately at the age of 14 while Paul was away at Boy Scout Camp, his mother died of breast cancer. |
Music seemed to run in Paul's family. His father was a cotton salesman by day and a jazz musician
with Jim Mac's Jazz band at night. Unlike John, Paul did very well at school. His dad bought him his
first guitar and encouraged him to play music. Paul just couldn't seem to get the hang of the guitar
until he discovered he was left-handed at the guitar while right handed for everything else. His father
returned the guitar and had it strung the other way around. He began to pick up songs very quickly.
Ivan Vaughan invited Paul to hear the Quarrymen play on July 6,1957. Paul only went because Ivan told
him it would be a great place to pick up chicks. After hearing the group perform, Paul picked up a guitar
and played "Twenty-Flight Rock." John was very impressed. Paul also wrote down the words for "Be bop
a Lula" for John. A few days later he was invited to join the group by Pete Shotten. It was a decision that
would lead Paul to great success
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After the Beatles broke up Paul began a new career. He released 21 albums and staged 3
world tours. He began classical compositions, film making, and actively campaigning. His debut
solo single, "Another Day", first hit 45 and eventually reaching the top ten. He released his second
solo LP, "Ram", in 1970. His second LP of the year, "Wild Life", was not as successful, but was the
first album by his newly created band called Wings. He also released "Band on the Run", "Live and
Let Die", and "Mull of Kintyre" which led Wings to success. In 1972 they released 3 singles, two
banned by BBC. The first is "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" which was banned because of its political
content. The second was "Mary had a Little Lamb" which was not banned because no one would take
it seriously. The third, entitled "Hi Hi/ C Moon" was banned for being sexually suggestive. Wings released
3 albums in 1973, of which My love and Red Rose Speedway both reached number 1.
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In June, Paul's theme to James Bond's Movie "Live and Let Die" was in the top ten. Two members'
left wings and the remaining three recorded 'Band on the Run' in Nigeria. It exceeded 6 million sales.
In 1975 they recorded "Venus and Mars" and in 1976 "Wings over America" and "Wings at the Speed
of Sound." They also released many singles during those years.
During the 80's began Paul's solo years. However in 1980, he was arrested in Tokyo for possession of
marijuana and spent days in prison. His second solo album was released that same year entitled "McCartney II."
Paul gave many charity performances including Live Aid, and the Prince of Wales Trust.
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Since 1990 he has traveled
over 800,000 miles in concert, through 22 countries, and set the Guinness world record for the largest stadium crowd
in history of rock 'n' roll, 184,000 in Rico de Janeiro. He also established the MTV unplugged.
In 1991, he staged a performance of his first classic work entitled, "The Liverpool Oratorio" and it is
being performed in over 50 cities worldwide. In 1995 came the 30th anniversary of the song "Yesterday." His
second classical work "A Leaf" was performed at a benefit concert he organized for the Royal College of Music at
St. James Place. Currently he is composing a major orchestral work, commissioned to mark the 100th anniversary of
EMI records. In recognition for his work he was appointed Fellow of the Royal College of Music, which is England's
highest musical honor.
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Paul recently released his newest album "Flaming Pie", which is wonderful and brilliant. Paul also
spends times campaigning for Green Peace, Friends of the Earth, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
He as his wife are patrons of the British Vegetarian Society. He is chief patron of the Liverpool Institute for the
Performing Arts. He also produced his first film, "Daumier's Law" and wont top prize in 1992 at the British Academy
of Film and Television Arts Awards. When he isn't working, he enjoys painting, sailing and song writing. He has
been married for over 28 years and has four kids. Sadly his wife recently passed away this year, 1998.
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Tanya M. Brethour
Copyright 1998 All Rights Reserved
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