Sir Paul McCartney was once known as the cute Beatle because of his youthful looks. He despised the moniker, saying that he didn’t want to be recognized as an attractive musician. He wanted to be known as a great artist, and he achieved his goal.
Sir Paul McCartney became one of the most successful artists of all time. He is the only artist who reached the top of the UK charts as a solo artist in a duo, triplet, quartet, quintet, and part of a musical ensemble.
Paul McCartney’s Musical Career
Sir Paul McCartney’s interest in music sparked during the formative years of his life. His father, James McCartney, was a worker in the Liverpool Cotton Exchange and the lead performer of Jim Mac’s Jazz Band. It said that when McCartney was young, the family would gather around the family piano in the evenings and enjoy his father’s music. (Source: Britannica)
McCartney’s father encouraged the young musician to try out different musical instruments. He also took formal lessons in music as a boy, but McCartney preferred learning by ear. He taught himself how to play the Spanish guitar, the piano, and a trumpet. And when he was just fifteen, he met John Lennon while attending a church festival. Lennon’s band, the Quarrymen, invited McCartney to be part of their band. (Source: Biography)
The band underwent several name changes, and the group eventually settled for The Beatles, where they cemented their fame in the music industry. Their music significantly contributed to the sixties’ rock ‘n’ roll genre. Lennon and McCartney wrote most of the songs the band played, and in some songs, McCartney played various instruments as opposed to the bass guitar he always has.
After the band’s breakup in 1970, McCartney continued as a solo artist, releasing his first solo album McCartney. He then formed the band Wings with his wife, photographer, and musician, Linda Eastman. The band also enjoyed commercial success, but their touring stopped in the early eighties after the death of his longtime friend John Lennon.
But McCartney’s work in the industry didn’t stop, and he continued to play and record new music. He also collaborated with many famous artists like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. McCartney resumed touring in 1989 and started a collaboration project with Elvis Costello. The great songwriter was also commissioned to compose an orchestral piece by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society.
His Liverpool Oratorio reached number 1 in the UK classical chart. In 1994, he reunited with the other surviving Beatles members to create The Beatles Anthology. He then released a rock and a classical album in 1997. He has written, recorded, and released many albums after that and continued to tour and collaborate with many more artists. McCartney is still active in the music business today.
McCartney’s Success in the Industry
Only a few artists match McCartney’s popularity as an artist in the history of rock music. His dedication and passion for music helped him hone his skills and produce songs that many people would enjoy. He recorded many songs that reached the number 1 spot in several charts, only being beaten by Elvis Presley and Stevie Wonder. (Source: Paste Magazine)
McCartney has a total of 23 top 10 hits under his belt and has still maintained the power to produce music that younger audiences would appreciate. His capability to play any instrument and the fact that his voice has barely changed in his almost fifty-year career. And in his tenure in the business, he has earned several distinctive awards for his talent.
- The Guinness World Records recognize Paul McCartney as the most successful songwriter of all time.
- He was inducted to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame twice – as part of The Beatles and as a solo artist.
- McCartney earned 18 Grammy Awards.
- President Obama awarded him the Gershwin Prize – the highest award for any musician. He is the first non-American musician to receive this award.
(Source: Roadie Music)