Paul McCartney, former bassist and lead singer of the Beatles, has been in the spotlight since he was 18 years old. And at 76 years old, he’s still receiving new honors and awards every year,
with his song Love Me Do being recently named the most influential love song in the past 50 years by Billboard Magazine. So it may not be surprising that McCartney still thinks about what music shaped him into who he is today.
Early Life
Paul was born in Liverpool, England to working class parents who loved music. His mother used to take him to see his favorite performers at The Cavern Club, a local hotspot. Her support and love of music motivated Paul early on and helped solidify his own musical interests when he was old enough to pick up an instrument himself.
With a father who worked as a milkman by day and played drums for his rock band at night, it's no wonder that playing in bands would become such an integral part of his life.
Beatles Years
It’s hard to say that any other musician—or group of musicians—has had as much influence over Paul McCartney than The Beatles. As he tells Apple Corps, If I hadn't have been in The Beatles, I wouldn't be who I am today. Even just one name drop is enough to put a song into historical context:
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Sir Paul talks about his admiration for Elvis Presley and how that helped shaped his first instrument: He was always a big thing for me.
Solo Years
While in The Beatles, Paul McCartney was at his most influential and successful. However, as a solo artist, he has been able to shift his musical style to suit each period of his life.
From John Lennon's untimely death through to a battle with cancer that prompted an optimistic return to work, Paul's time as a solo artist has seen him explore new sounds and meet some incredible artists along the way. Here are some of Paul's top songs from each era in his career.
Later Years
As told to Larry King in 2012, There were great people who inspired me: Lonnie Donegan inspired me. I saw The Everly Brothers and I thought, ‘That’s what it is; that’s what I want to do.
And I got a guitar for my 15th birthday and started teaching myself. When I heard Buddy Holly, it was like someone turned on a light switch. ... And then Chuck Berry just really knocked me out — he was so fresh,
so original and doing everything his own way; rocking but rhythmical at the same time. ... Then there was Elvis and Little Richard — they were just incredible artists in their own right who became major influences on my life.
Interesting Facts About Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942. You know him as a singer and bassist for The Beatles and Wings, but what else should you know about Paul? Here are a few interesting facts to get you started. . . . In 1964, he married Jane Asher.
They were together until 1969. After he broke up with Asher, he married Linda Eastman in 1969. At one point during their marriage they had seven kids!