When Paul McCartney. Biography of Paul McCartney

The founder of the British rock group The Beatles, Sir James Paul McCartney, was born in 1942 in a small maternity hospital in the suburbs of Liverpool. His mother Mary worked at the clinic as a nurse at the time, and later took a new position as a home midwife. The boy's father, James McCartney, is Irish by nationality; during the war he was a gunsmith at a military factory. With the end of hostilities he became a cotton merchant.

In his youth, James studied music; in the 20s, he was part of one of the then famous jazz bands in Liverpool. Paul's father could play the trumpet and piano. He instilled his love of playing music in his children: the elder Paul and the younger Michael.

Paul McCartney (left) with his mother and brother

At the age of 5, Paul entered a Liverpool school. Here, at the age of 10, he took part in his first concert and received an award. A year later he was transferred to a secondary school called the Liverpool Institute, where he studied until his seventeenth birthday. In 1956, the McCartney family suffered a heavy loss: Mary's mother died of breast cancer. After her death, Paul withdrew into himself.

Music became his way out. Thanks to his father's support, the boy masters playing the guitar and writes his first musical compositions. It was this sad fact of the musician’s biography that largely influenced his rapprochement with, who also lost his mother in his youth.

During his studies, Paul McCarthy manifests himself as an inquisitive student; he does not miss a single significant theater premiere, is interested in art exhibitions, and reads fashionable poetry. In parallel with his studies at college, Paul is engaged in small business: He works as a traveling salesman. This experience became a useful acquisition for his entire later life: McCartney can easily carry on a conversation with anyone, he is open and friendly to everyone around him. At some point, the young man decided to become a theater director, but he failed to enter the institute, since he submitted his documents too late.

In 1957, the significant first meeting of the future creators of The Beatles took place. School friend Paul McCartney invited him to try himself in a youth group called “The Quarrymen”, the founder of which was Lennon. At that time, John was still poor at playing the guitar, and Paul happily shared his knowledge with his new friend.

The relatives of both teenagers were hostile to the strong youthful friendship that had emerged. But this did not affect the relationship of the young people, and they continued to compose music together. Paul McCartney invites George Harrison to the renewed team “The Quarrymen”, who will later become one of the members of the legendary quartet “The Beatles”.

By 1960, the young musical group was already performing in full force at the venues of Liverpool; Paul and John changed their previous name to the more sonorous “The Silver Beatles”, which after a tour to Hamburg was shortened to “The Beatles”. In the same year, Beatlemania began among the band's fans.

The first songs that caused a storm of uncontrollable emotions among the public were “Long Tall Sally” and “My Bonnie”. Despite this, the recording of the first disc at Decca Records failed, and after a tour to Germany musical group enters into a second contract with the Parlophone Records label. At the same time, the fourth legendary member appears in the quartet Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney himself changes rhythm guitar to bass guitar.

Within two years, the group’s first hits “Love Me Do” and “How Do You Do It?” appeared, the authorship of which belonged entirely to Paul McCartney. From the first singles, the young man showed himself as a mature musician; all members of the group listened to his advice.

From the very beginning, the group's image was different from other musical groups of that time. The musicians were focused on their creativity, they looked like real intellectuals. And if in the first albums John and Paul composed compositions independently, then later they came to co-creation.

In 1963, the single “She Loves You” topped the popular music chart in the UK and stayed at the top for almost two months. This fact officially secured the group’s status as the most popular group, and people in the country started talking about Beatlemania.

1964 was a breakthrough year for The Beatles on the world stage. The musicians go on tour in Europe and then travel to the USA. The quartet is greeted by crowds of fans; at their concerts, fans throw real hysterics. The Beatles finally conquered the United States after their performance on the central television channel in the Ed Sullivan Show program, which was watched by more than 70 million television viewers.

The Beatles break up

In many ways, Paul's removal from the group's affairs was influenced by the difference in the philosophical views of the musicians. In addition, the appointment of the dubious Alan Klein to the role of group manager, against whom only McCartney opposed, finally split the team.

On the eve of his departure from The Beatles, McCartney creates several immortal singles: “ Hey Jude", "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "Helter Skelter", which were included in the list of songs on the White Album. The cover of the latter had a special design: it was pure white, without any photos.

Interestingly, this is the only record in the world that was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest selling record. The latest album, “Let It Be,” was Paul McCartney’s final album as part of the quartet.

McCartney managed to finalize the legal cases with The Beatles by the beginning of 1971. This is how the legendary group ceased to exist, which over the several years of its existence created six “diamond” albums and took first place in the list of 50 greatest performers, received 10 Grammy awards and one Oscar.

Solo career

Since 1971, largely thanks to his wife Linda, Paul began a solo career. The group’s first album, “Wings,” in the creation of which the Philadelphia Orchestra took part, took first place at the top of the charts in the UK and second place in the USA, and the duet of Paul and Linda was named the best in their homeland.

McCartney's former colleagues spoke negatively about the musician's new experience, but Paul continued to compose songs for a duet with his wife. The supergroup also included famous British musicians Denny Lane and Danny Savell.

Several times after this, Paul and John participated in joint concerts, they maintained a calm and friendly relationship until Lennon's death, which occurred in 1980. A year after the death of his friend, Paul stopped his musical activities as part of the group “Wings” for fear of being killed, like Lennon.

After the dissolution of the group “Wings,” Paul McCartney created the album “Tug of War,” which is considered the best disc in the singer’s solo career. For his family, the musician acquires several ancient estates and creates a personal music studio. McCartney's new albums regularly receive high marks from critics and are also popular with the public.

In 1982, the singer received another award from the Brit Awards as best artist of the year. He works hard and fruitfully. He devotes his new songs from the album “Pipes of Peace” to the topic of disarmament and peace on the planet.

In the 80-90s, Paul McCartney recorded many collaborations with others famous performers such as Eric Stewart. Paul experiments with arrangements, often recording songs accompanied by the London Orchestra. Often in his work flops are combined with hits.

Without departing from rock and pop music, Paul McCartney writes many works of the symphonic genre. The pinnacle of the British musician’s classical work is considered to be his fairy tale ballet “The Ocean Kingdom,” which was performed by the Royal Ballet in 2012.

The former lead singer of The Beatles creates soundtracks for British cartoons. In 2015, an animated film based on the script by Paul McCartney and his friend Jeff Dunbar, “High in the Clouds,” was released.

Since the mid-80s, the singer has been trying himself not only in music, but also in painting. McCartney exhibits regularly in New York galleries. He has already written more than 500 paintings.

Personal life

At the same time in personal life A girl appears in Paul McCartney, communication with whom greatly influenced the musician’s worldview. It was a young artist, model Jane Asher. For five years, during which it lasted love story, Paul McCartney became close to Jane's parents. They occupied a special position in London's high society.

The young man moved into the penthouse of the six-story Asher mansion. Together with Jane McCartney's family, he attends avant-garde theater productions, he gets acquainted with modern musical trends and listens to classics. At this time, Paul created some of his most famous works - “Yesterday” and “Michelle”. Gradually the musician moves away from his friends in the group. He devotes all his leisure time to communicating with the owners of famous art galleries and becomes the main buyer in a bookstore devoted to the study of psychedelics.

After breaking up with Jane Asher, which occurred on the eve of their wedding due to Paul's infidelity, the musician does not remain alone for long. Soon he meets a girl who becomes his first wife. Linda Eastman was one year older than McCartney and worked as a photographer. With his wife and her daughter Heather from his first marriage, Paul McCartney settled outside the city in a small mansion and began to lead a fairly secluded lifestyle.

In their marriage, Paul and Linda McCartney had three children: daughters Mary and Stella, son James.

In 1997, he was awarded an English knighthood and became Sir Paul McCartney. A year later, the singer experienced a great tragedy in his life: his wife Linda McCartney died of cancer.

After some time, the musician will find solace in the arms of a former model Heather Mills, without forgetting his first wife. In her honor, he will create an entire album and release a film with photographs and photographs of Linda. All proceeds from the sale of discs will go towards donations for the treatment of cancer patients.

In 2001, he learns that he is losing another of his old friends, George Harrison. But the bitterness of Paul McCartney's losses was brightened by the appearance of his third daughter, Beatrice Millie, in 2003. The baby instilled hope in her father, and he got a second wind for creativity.

Over time British singer separated from his second wife and soon married for the third time to American businesswoman Nancy Shavell. Paul McCartney knew his third wife during Linda's lifetime. Nancy was one of those who at one time dissuaded the musician from his second marriage to Heather, warning him about the bride’s dishonesty. Such warnings turned out to be prophetic. During the divorce process, Heather condemned ex-husband a decent amount of several million pounds sterling.

Today Paul McCartney with new family lives on his estate in America.

Conflict with Michael Jackson

In 1983, at the invitation of Paul McCartney, he came to him, with whom they began working together on several songs: “The Man” and “Say, Say, Say.” A true friendship began between the musicians. Together they attended several social events.

A British musician, deciding to teach his friend about business, gives him advice to acquire the rights to some music. A year later, at a joint meeting in the United States, Jackson jokingly said that he was going to buy songs from The Beatles, after which he carried out his intention within a few months. With this act he shocked Paul McCartney and became his enemy.

Public position

In addition to music, the artist is actively involved in charity. He invests a lot of money in the movement to protect our little brothers. Together with his first wife Linda McCartney, the singer entered public organization to ban GMOs.

While remaining a vegetarian, the musician performs concerts against the creation of fur clothing, which is the cause of cruelty to innocent animals.

After the start of active operations in the East, Paul McCartney appealed to the authorities about stopping the use of anti-personnel mines.

Together with Ringo Starr, McCartney gave a concert in defense of transcendental meditation.

Paul McCartney in Russia

In the early 2000s, the first tour of the king of rock and roll took place in Russia. The concerts on Red Square in Moscow took place as part of the star’s “Back In The World” world tour. In the Russian capital, Paul McCartney met with the president at his Kremlin residence.

A year later, the leader of the Fab Four spoke with solo concert on Palace Square in St. Petersburg. Subsequent performances of the pop star took place mainly on Vasilyevsky Spusk, as well as at the Olympic Stadium. During these same years, he came to Kyiv with a solo concert.

In 2012, he also came to the defense of the Russian scandalous group"Pussy Riot" and wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin.

Paul McCartney now

In 2016, it was announced that Sir Paul McCartney would participate in the filming of the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, entitled Dead Men Tell No Tales. In this film, the famous British artist played along with the permanent cast iconic painting: , And .

The scene in which the pop star performs her own song will be included in the final version of the film. This is McCartney's first role in a feature film, having previously acted mainly in documentaries. The release of “Pirates of the Caribbean” is expected closer to mid-2017.

Discography

• "McCartney" - (1970)
• "Ram" - (1971)
• "McCartney II" - (1980)
• "Tug of War" - (1982)
• "Pipes of Peace" - (1983)
• "Press to Play" - (1986)
• “Back in the USSR” - (1991)
• "Flowers in the Dirt" - (1989)
• "Unplugged" - (1991)
• "Off the Ground" - (1993)
• "Flaming Pie" - (1997)
• "Run Devil Run" - (1999)
• "Driving Rain" - (2001)
• "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" - (2005)
• "Memory Almost Full" - (2007)
• "New" - (2013)

PAUL MCCARTNEY – KNIGHT OF ROCK MUSIC

This musician needs no detailed introduction. In any country in the world, even people far from music have heard the name Paula McCartney and they know him as one of the leaders legendary group.

His work was awarded sixteen Grammy Award statuettes, he became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, was repeatedly included in the Guinness Book of Records, and he also - talented producer, artist and animal rights activist. That's how multifaceted and unique he is - sir.

Liverpool shy guy

Fate decreed that James Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool, which was one of the flagships of the industrial revolution. The future idol of millions was born in the difficult year of 1942. After the war, the McCartney family, although not in dire need, lived very modestly, which reflected on Paul's upbringing and worldview. Even after becoming a millionaire, he always remained frugal.

The boy took his first musical steps back in elementary school, where he first appeared on stage with musical composition, which later, by his own admission, he could not even remember. Paul said that it was a certain song associated with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Then so young musician won a prize for his first performance. Floor experienced fear of the public, but the big stage already attracted him, leaving a mark on the child’s soul.

At 14 years old McCartney with his younger brother he was left without a mother; she died of breast cancer. The father did not allow the children to withdraw and withdraw into themselves with sad thoughts. He surrounded them with care, attention and love, emphasized cultural education, took the boys to concerts and played the home piano with them, because the mother so wanted her children to become outstanding people and speak the language of English aristocrats. Later Floor I often recalled the qualities instilled by my mother. Largely thanks to her efforts, McCartney spoke without a Liverpudlian accent, got along easily with people and had no problems communicating.

Paul McCartney's first guitar

To keep the child occupied even more, the father gave Semi an old trumpet for your birthday. With the permission of McCartney Sr., he exchanged it for the first one in his life acoustic guitar, on which he rearranged the strings to suit his own style, since Paul is left-handed. He began to actively master playing the instrument, copied the stars of that time and tried to play the hits of rock pioneers - Little Richard and. At this time, the young musician began to try to write his own melodies. And then there was his acquaintance with.

It all started when one of my school friends Paula, who sometimes played in Lennon's band The Quarrymen, invited McCartney to a performance by the group in the hall of one of the churches. The first meeting of the two musicians took place in the summer of 1957. It was this acquaintance that became fateful for both. Having performed several compositions before members of The Quarrymen, Paul proved in this impromptu audition that he is worthy of being a member of the ensemble. He remembered these summer holidays for the rest of his life. They got together with John, learned new chords, wrote down their test creations in a notebook, always writing on each page the phrase: “Original Lennon-McCartney composition.” Soon Floor persuaded John to accept his friend George Harrison into the group, and then The Quarrymen acquired a new name - .

As part of the four

Climb to the top musical Olympus The Beatles were by no means so easy young talents from the ensemble went through a difficult path to success. For all the years of the existence of this truly unique group, he was a real creative sparkler, he constantly composed new songs, did not allow the group to succumb to star fever, in every possible way urged his comrades to give up idleness, tried to prevent stagnation and a creative crisis that often engulfs great musicians. Unfortunately, these efforts Paula McCartney It turned out to be not enough, and on New Year's Eve 1971, the musician decided to officially terminate his partnership with The Beatles. Paul filed a lawsuit against his colleagues and the band's manager, believing that the situation simply had no other solution.

Paul and Linda

Thus began his solo career, which continues to this day. He performs compositions from the post-Beatles era and old, time-tested hits of the Fab Four. Creating your own project has become something of an outlet for McCartney. This was a kind of way out of the mental crisis in which he found himself after breaking off creative relationships with the band members. It must be admitted that in many ways Paul remained hostage to the songs created during the heyday of this ensemble.

Three years earlier, in a London nightclub, he met photographer Linda Eastman. This meeting did not foreshadow any romance - Linda wanted to do several photographs of the four and dreamed of impressing Lennon. Their next meeting took place a year later in New York, where Paul and John were at the presentation of a new record label. Linda, going for a photo shoot, asked McCartney to spend a couple of hours with her 4-year-old daughter. When she returned, she noticed how, in such a short period, her Heather and the world had become closer. famous musician. Linda made several touching photos. Returning to London, Paul received a parcel containing large photo, in which the girl hugged him so sincerely. This touched McCartney so much that their relationship began to develop at lightning speed. In March 1969, the lovers walked down the aisle, and soon their first common daughter, Mary, was born. It is said that Paul and Linda were one of the most devoted and loving couples in show business. They lived on a large farm, walked through their favorite fields holding hands, raised three daughters and one son, and raised horses and sheep. Linda took care of her husband, and he always serenaded her. This went on for thirty years until Linda's death from cancer separated them.

Solo album

Spring 1970 McCartney returned from Scotland, where he was in voluntary seclusion with his family, and brought material for his first solo album. Just a month later the record "McCartney" topped the Billboard charts.

The album opened with the song “The Lovely Linda.” For McCartney creativity and family life have become inseparable. Floor I didn’t even want to go on stage without my beloved wife. And having created a new group, he “reserved” a place as a keyboard player for Linda, who then did not know how to play any kind of instrument. musical instrument. She was not at a loss and declared that she would sing with her husband, although she had never done this, and would play the piano, although she had never sat down at it in her life. By the way, the idea to give the new group the name “Wings” came to the mind of Linda, who could miraculously combine the responsibilities of a caring mother of four children, a loving wife, a housewife, and now also a keyboard player. In gratitude for this, he dedicated the incredibly sensual songs “Maybe I’m Amazed”, “Calico Skies”, “My Love”, “No More Lonely Nights” and many others to his beloved wife.

New achievements

In 1980, McCartney continued his creative experiments and prepared the album “McCartney II,” in which he recorded all the parts himself. The next new product was released a year later, and then the murder of John Lennon happened, which was a shock for Paul. By that time, their relationship had gradually improved. In memory of John, he recorded the song “All Those Years Ago” with George Harrison, Ringo Starr.

Paul worked very actively, releasing one release after another, for which he deservedly received his musical awards. At the same time, even from the first years of The Beatles' existence, he created many compositions for other musicians. The most famous such “gift” was the song “I Wanna Be Your Man” performed by the outstanding Rolling Stones. One of the latest examples of McCartney’s collaboration with colleagues is the song “FourFiveSeconds,” recorded by singer Rihanna with the participation of Paul and American rapper Kanye West.

Active life position

He also became widely known as a supporter of vegetarianism and an active activist for animal rights. He claims that his position was influenced by the impression produced by seeing the Disney cartoon "Bambi" as a child. In addition, he participates in actions against the spread of genetically modified products, the use of anti-personnel mines, supports the idea of ​​​​banning hunting and organizes many charity concerts.

Another serious hobby of Paul was painting. But his love for this art did not arise immediately. Like his friend John Lennon, McCartney used to think that only people who graduated from the Academy of Arts could paint. The first exhibition of his works was held in 1999, among the paintings of the exhibition were portraits of Andy Warhol, John Lennon and.

Despite his advanced age, Paul McCartney's life is still in full swing; he has not lost his creative energy, continues to create new songs, looks for new forms of expression and never stops his social activities.

DATA

In one of his interviews he said that as a child he was in love with the British Queen. He noted that Elizabeth II was a beauty with an attractive figure. At none of his meetings with the Queen did Sir Paul take the opportunity to tell her about his childhood feelings, although he often mentions this in the press, hoping that she will read it.

He performed at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012 and received a symbolic fee of 1 pound for this. Actually Paul with others famous musicians agreed to play on grand show completely free, but pedantic lawyers demanded that the fee be indicated in the contract. This is how the stars received less than a twentieth of the cost of the cheapest ticket to the opening of the games.

Updated: April 7, 2019 by: Elena

Of all the Fab Four, Paul McCartney's solo career is the most successful. This is evidenced by millions of records sold and regular presence on the charts (especially in the 70s and 80s) on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. James Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942. At fourteen he wrote his first song ("I Lost My Little Girl"), and at fifteen he joined John Lennon's band The Quarrymen. Everyone knows what happened next - The Beatles were born. McCartney formed an excellent writing tandem with Lennon, and most of the songs of the Beatles period were released under the “Lennon – McCartney” brand. In the second half of the 60s, Paul, like his partners, began to look elsewhere, but while John and George embarked on experiments, he was doing more mundane things, and one of his first non-Beatle works was the soundtrack to the film "The Family" Way". But if the corresponding record was released under the name "George Martin Orchestra", then soon after his marriage to Linda Eastman, McCartney recorded his first official solo album, performing all the instrumental parts alone. "McCartney" went on sale two weeks before "Let It Be", and the day before Paul made a statement about the breakup of the Beatles. Having set off on his own, the musician soon released his first hit single, “Another Day,” followed by the “family” album “Ram,” released on behalf of the McCartney couple.

Both the first and second LPs were in good demand, but Paul wanted more, and in 1971 he returned to the team format, creating an ensemble called “Wings”. The debut album of “Wings” was met with distrust by both critics and the public, and the disc found itself outside the top ten. The press that followed it, "Red Rose Speedway", also turned out to be rather weak, but the commercial success of the record was obvious, and in America it became a chart topper. In the summer of 1973, Wings conducted their first British tour, after which a stripped-down lineup went to Nigeria and recorded their best-selling album, Band On The Run. With this album, Paul finally brought the spiteful critics to reason, and his band received a break to search for a drummer and guitarist. Released in 1975, "Venus And Mars" almost repeated the success of "Band On The Run", and its appearance was supported by the "Wings Over The World" world tour.

The next record, "Wings At The Speed ​​Of Sound", became the first album of "Wings", where the songwriter was not only Paul, but the demand for this disc was ensured precisely by the compositions of McCartney himself, "Silly Love Songs" and "Let "Em In" ". The triple live album "Wings Over America" ​​became the fifth American chart topper in a row, after which the group went on vacation. Taking advantage of the moment, Paul recorded an instrumental version of the album "Ram", but released it not under his own name, but under the pseudonym Thrillington. At the end of the year “Wings” launched with the single “Mull Of Kintyre,” which sold two million copies in England alone, and some time later they went platinum with the full-length “London Town.” This album, compared to its predecessors, had a softer sound and was distinguished by a synthetic flavor. The rock and roll on "Back To The Egg" was not particularly successful, and although the record also received platinum status, it did not generate a single serious hit. In 1980, McCartney returned to the do-it-yourself formula, releasing a program stuffed with synthesizers. McCartney II, and the following year officially announced the dissolution of Wings. Returning to solo, Paul regained first place in the transatlantic charts, but "Tug Of War" was snapped up like hotcakes mainly thanks to the duet with Stevie Wonder in "Ebony And Ivory". A little later, McCartney sang on Jackson's single "The Girl Is Mine", and Michael returned the favor by performing the song "Say Say Say" on Paul's album "Pipes Of Peace".

In 1984, the artist started filming the film “Give My Regards To Broad Street”, and although the film itself failed, the soundtrack of the same name, which contained a number of Beatles’ motifs, was a success and even topped the British chart. Despite a fairly good press, the record “Press To Play”, made in a typical eighties spirit, was also unsuccessful, followed by a nondescript collection of rock and roll standards “Back in the USSR”, distributed only in the territory of Soviet Union. Paul managed to regain the lost positions in 1989 with the album “Flowers In The Dirt”, recorded in collaboration with Elvis Costello. Two years later, McCartney decided to try his hand at classical music, releasing "Liverpool Oratorio". And although the work caused controversial responses, throughout the 90s Paul again turned to the serious genre in the opuses "Standing Stone" and "Working Classical".

The album "Off The Ground" continued the line of "Flowers In The Dirt", but at the same time had a more straightforward sound and was distinguished by the musician's increased interest in social problems. After finishing work on the Beatles Anthology, McCartney returned to solo work and released the disc Flaming Pie. Despite its acoustic basis, this program earned a lot of critical praise, and it reached second place in the charts in England and the USA. After Linda Paul's death for a long time hid from the public, but in 1999 he reminded of himself with the album “Run Devil Run”, which mainly included rock and roll covers. In 2001, the musician again began to make original things, but, despite the rather nice material, the disc "Driving Rain" turned out to be a weak seller. Much greater demand was generated by the appearance of "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard", where Paul used a new tactic, recording all the parts himself, but inviting third-party producer Nigel Godrich. In 2006, McCartney again experimented with the classics, releasing the oratorio "Ecce Cor Meum", and in 2007 he won applause with the album "Memory Almost Full", many of the songs from which evoked memories of "Wings". At the end of the decade, the live album “Good Evening New York City” was released, and the ex-Beatle decided to start the next decade with another classic work. But if "Ocean's Kingdom" was his first attempt at ballet, then the disc "Kisses On The Bottom" that arrived soon after was composed of pre-war jazz and pop standards.

In 2012, McCartney performed at the opening Olympic Games in London, and at the end of the year he took part in the charity concert “The Concert For Sandy Relief”, unexpectedly appearing on the same stage with ex-members of “Nirvana”. When preparing the new album, Paul held sessions to arrange a casting of producers, but could not make a specific choice, and all four test subjects had a hand in the creation of "New": Paul Epworth, Ethan Jones, Giles Martin and Mark Ronson. As a result, the material on the disc turned out to be quite diverse, but this did not prevent the disc from debuting in the top ten of a number of countries. The next five years were spent traveling and working on archives, but in 2018 Sir McCartney finally pleased the public with something fresh. Unlike the experiments on "New" with a modern sound" Egypt Station"brought Paul back to a more familiar sound and thus gave him full leadership on Billboard for the first time in a long time.

This great musician is addressed only as sir. The whole world knows him as the founder of the Fab Four - The group The Beatles, and this is McCartney James Paul. Their group's albums sold millions of copies all over the world. They brought a new inspired movement to music and drove all the girls crazy.

short biography

Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942 in Liverpool. His parents were Scots. His mother's name was Mary, she was a Catholic and worked at a local clinic as a midwife and nurse. Paul's father, James McCartney, was a trumpeter and pianist before the war and even had his own small jazz band, but the war ruined all his plans. After the war he worked at a mechanical engine plant and at a cotton exchange. He began to raise his son without involving religion, since he himself had once turned from a Protestant into an agnostic. The McCartney family lived modestly. Paul also had a brother, Michael.

In 1947, James Paul McCartney attended J. Williams Primary School in Belle Vale. After leaving school in 1954, he went to study at a secondary school for boys, which was called Liverpool Institute.

In 1956, Paul was shocked by the death of his mother, who died of breast cancer. Subsequently, this loss brought him closer to John Lennon, whose mother died when he was 17 years old.

Paul had an old trumpet given by his father, but he traded it in for a Framus Zenith acoustic guitar. James Paul McCartney was left-handed and learned to play it using the principle of Slim Whitman, who arranged the strings in reverse order. Paul began to skillfully imitate such world stars as Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

Creative inspiration

One day in Walton, Paul was invited to see John's band perform. Lennon The Quarrymen in the hall of St. Peter's Church. There, on July 6, 1957, McCartney met Lennon for the first time. John was tipsy, but he really liked Paul's guitar playing. Subsequently, McCartney began tuning Lennon's guitar.

Father Paul and Aunt Mimi were wary of this friendship; they believed that Lennon came from “the bottom” and expected trouble from him. But the guys got along very quickly and already in 1957 they began writing songs together in McCartney’s father’s house on Forthlin Road.

Paul once, while still at school in 1954, accidentally met George Harris, who became his friend, and so he invited John Lennon to take him into his band.

The Beatles and Paul McCartney

And already in 1960, in Hamburg, their group performed for the first time under the name The Beatles. There they found themselves under the tutelage of entrepreneur Bruno Koschmider (a former clown).

After some time from ordinary musician Paul has turned into a true professional. It is believed that 800 concert hours spent on the stages of clubs in this city made The Beatles group with a worldwide reputation.

In the early winter of 1960, the Beatles gave a concert at Litherland Town Hall, which became a turning point in their future fate. The Beatlemania boom began.

Until 1961, Paul played rhythm guitar, then, after being fired as a musician due to scandal, he became a bass guitarist.

Albums, concerts and hits

The megahit that opened wide doors for them was the song She Loves You. The group then performed on television in the Royal Variety Show, a program that was viewed by 26 million people. This was the trigger for their enormous fame.

Lennon's death

After death famous singer Lew Grade offered Lennon's wife Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney to buy the rights to the Lennon-McCartney songs, since they were owned by the publishing company Northern Songs, for 20 million, but Yoko refused due to the very high price.

In 1983, McCartney became friends with Michael Jackson, who eventually bought the rights to their group's songs for 47.5 million. Paul considered this a betrayal. Now he had to pay for the performance of his own songs on tour.

Many agree that the 2000s finally brought revival, stability and success to Paul's life. Sir James Paul McCartney gives concerts, shoots videos and writes albums, and is widely involved in charitable activities. His name has long become a classic brand that cannot be compared with anything.

A short biography of Paul McCartney will help you learn about the life of a musician and prepare for the lesson.

Paul McCartney biography short

I became interested in music in elementary school, where I first appeared on stage.

The future musician graduated primary school Joseph Williams, after which he became a student at the Liverpool Institute. In 1956, he experienced a terrible tragedy - his mother died suddenly of breast cancer.

In 1957, he met and became a member of the group The Quarrymen. In 1959, The Quarrymen mutated into the Silver Beetles, and a little later into simply The Beatles.

In the fall of 1962, Paul wrote the song “Love Me Do,” which became the single through which the whole world learned about The Beatles.

Their debut album was called The Beatles Please Please Me. During his recording, Paul met sound engineer Geoff Emerick, who later contributed huge contribution into the musician's work. Basically, the authors of all compositions were John Lennon And Paul McCartney.

In November 1963 The Beatles released their second album. By this time they were already attracting crowds of millions at their concerts. The best compositions McCartney's songs of that time included "Can't Buy Me Love", "And I Love Her" and "Another Girl".

In August 1968 Paul McCartney wrote the song "Hey Jude".

In May 1970, the group released their last album"Let It Be"

After the collapse of the legendary band, the musician and his family moved to the west coast of Scotland. The feeling of devastation did not leave him for a long time, but thanks to the support of his wife Linda, Paul McCartney was able to overcome his depression.

In April 1970, he released his first solo album, which went double platinum. A year later he founded the group Wings.

In total the group Wings released seven albums and Paul McCartney in the late 1970s he was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the owner of 60 gold discs.

In the spring of 1981, the Wings group broke up. His first solo collection was McCartney II, released in May 1980.

The musician was actively engaged solo work, collaborated with Michael Jackson and in 1987 released a collection of his hits “All the Best!” Ten years later, he presented the disc “Flaming Pie,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

In 2000, he dedicated the album “Driving Rain” to his second wife. Heather Mills. Two years later he went on a tour around the world. Winter 2008 Paul McCartney was awarded the BRIT Award for his historical contribution to the development of music.

He was married three times and is the father of five children.

McCartney is widely known as an animal rights activist and vegetarian. He also became famous as an opponent of the spread of genetically modified foods, anti-personnel mines, a ban on hunting, and as the organizer of many charity concerts supporting medicine or other good causes.