Paul McCartney
Born 1942 · Age 83
English musician, member of the Beatles, leader of Wings, prolific solo artist, composer and activist with a multi-decade career and extensive honours.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Walton, Liverpool
James Paul McCartney born at Walton Hospital to Mary Patricia and James 'Jim' McCartney.
Started primary school (Stockton Wood Road)
Attended Stockton Wood Road Primary School in Speke (1947–1949).
Passed 11-Plus; entered Liverpool Institute
One of three out of 90 students to pass 11-Plus; gained place at the Liverpool Institute grammar school.
Audition attempt for Liverpool Cathedral choir
Encouraged by his father to audition for the cathedral choir (not accepted); later joined St Barnabas' Church choir.
Met George Harrison
Met future bandmate George Harrison on the bus from Speke to school; they became friends.
Received trumpet then traded for guitar
Got a nickel-plated trumpet for his 14th birthday, then traded it for a £15 Framus Zenith acoustic guitar to play rock & roll.
Mother Mary McCartney dies
McCartney's mother Mary died of an embolism following surgery for breast cancer; a formative personal loss.
Met John Lennon and joined the Quarrymen
Met John Lennon at the St Peter's Church Hall fête in Woolton and was invited to join Lennon's skiffle group, the Quarrymen.
Quarrymen evolve into the Beatles (name adopted)
Band experimented with names and adopted 'the Beatles' in August 1960; recruitment of Pete Best and Hamburg residencies followed.
McCartney becomes Beatles' bass player
After Stuart Sutcliffe left, McCartney took over bass duties while the band recorded in Hamburg and backed Tony Sheridan as the 'Beat Brothers'.
Brian Epstein becomes manager
Brian Epstein began managing the Beatles (January 1962), a key step toward their commercial success.
Released 'Love Me Do' – first single
Beatles' first hit 'Love Me Do' released (October 1962), chart breakthrough in the UK.
Beatlemania and US breakthrough (Ed Sullivan)
The Beatles' iconic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (February 9, 1964) and international fame accelerated earnings and fame.
Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
McCartney was appointed an MBE in 1965 for services to music (as part of the Beatles' honours).
Released 'Yesterday' (Help! album)
'Yesterday' (McCartney composition) released as part of Help!; first Beatles recording to feature only one member with string quartet.
Released Revolver
Beatles released Revolver (1966), an artistic leap featuring 'Eleanor Rigby' and experimentation in the studio.
Final commercial Beatles concert (Candlestick Park)
The Beatles gave their last commercial concert at the end of the 1966 US tour (Aug 29, 1966).
Magical Mystery Tour project (film & LP)
McCartney largely directed the Magical Mystery Tour film project which received unfavourable criticism but continued studio experimentation.
Released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's released (June 1967); McCartney was a driving creative force and the album introduced concept/experimental aesthetics.
Brian Epstein dies; McCartney becomes de facto leader
Following Epstein's death (Aug 1967), McCartney stepped in to guide the band's creative and business decisions.
White Album sessions; rising internal tensions
Recording of the double 'White Album' (1968) marked increasing personal and creative tensions among band members.
Married Linda Eastman
Paul McCartney married American photographer Linda Eastman (12 March 1969); Linda later became a musical partner in Wings.
Birth of daughter Mary
Mary McCartney, Paul's daughter with Linda, was born in August 1969 (named after his late mother).
John Lennon privately leaves the Beatles
Lennon privately left the Beatles in September 1969; public announcement came later as business negotiations continued.
Released debut solo album 'McCartney'
McCartney released his first solo LP, McCartney (April 1970); he performed most instruments and vocals himself.
Announced departure from the Beatles
McCartney announced publicly (10 April 1970) that he was no longer working with the Beatles; effectively the public breakup.
Released 'Ram' (with Linda)
McCartney and Linda released Ram (May 1971) which contained the US #1 single 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey'.
Birth of daughter Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney, daughter of Paul and Linda, born in September 1971 (named for Linda's grandmothers).
Formed Wings (with Linda and Denny Laine)
Paul, Linda and Denny Laine formed Wings (1971); Wings became a major commercial act through the 1970s.
Wings first university tour & Wings Over Europe
Wings toured UK universities (1972) then undertook the seven-week Wings Over Europe Tour, building the band's live credentials.
Wings' first US #1 single 'My Love'
'My Love' (from Red Rose Speedway) became Wings' first US #1 single (March 1973).
Released 'Band on the Run' (Wings)
Band on the Run (1973) became a hugely successful album, topping UK and US charts and became one of the decade's best-sellers.
Grammy Awards for 'Band on the Run' (1975 ceremony)
Paul McCartney and Wings won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance ('Band on the Run'); Geoff Emerick won Best Engineered Recording.
Wings Over the World Tour begins
Wings began a 14-month world tour (1975–76) including UK, Australia, Europe and the US; included first live Beatles songs in set lists.
Released 'Wings Over America' live triple LP
Wings over America (1976) was a US #1 live triple LP from the world tour.
Birth of son James McCartney
Paul and Linda's son James was born in September 1977.
Released 'Mull of Kintyre' single (record UK sales)
'Mull of Kintyre' (co-written with Denny Laine) became one of UK's best-selling singles, selling about 2.5 million copies and holding the UK sales record until 1984.
Wings final concerts & 'Back to the Egg' released
Back to the Egg (1979) released; Wings completed their final concert tour in 1979 before dissolving in 1981.
Detained in Tokyo for marijuana possession
McCartney was detained in Japan in January 1980 over marijuana found in luggage; held and deported which precipitated the end of Wings.
Released 'McCartney II' solo album
McCartney II (May 16, 1980) was a largely self-performed solo album featuring the hit 'Coming Up'.
Released 'Ebony and Ivory' with Stevie Wonder (US #1)
Collaboration with Stevie Wonder from Tug of War; became McCartney's record 28th US #1 single at the time.
Released 'Say Say Say' with Michael Jackson (US #1)
Collaboration with Michael Jackson yielding a US #1 single; one of McCartney's last US #1s as of 2014.
Wrote and starred in 'Give My Regards to Broad Street'
McCartney wrote, produced and starred in the film and released the soundtrack (1984); film was poorly received though soundtrack performed better.
Performed at Live Aid (London finale)
Performed 'Let It Be' at Live Aid (July 13, 1985) in London, amid initial technical problems but a strong crowd reaction.
Released 'Снова в СССР' (Choba B CCCP) in Soviet Union
Issued rock covers album initially available only in the Soviet Union (1988), recorded quickly and released for that market.
Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (with Beatles, 1988)
McCartney was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles in 1988 (and later as a solo artist in 1999).
Released 'Flowers in the Dirt' and returned to live touring
Flowers in the Dirt (1989) led to the Paul McCartney World Tour (launched Sept 1989), his first in a decade.
Released 'Tripping the Live Fantastic' live triple album
Triple live album (1990) captured highlights from the world tour.
Historic Rio concert (largest paying stadium audience)
Performed at Maracanã Stadium on 21 April 1990 with a paying crowd of 184,000 — one of the largest paying concert audiences.
Premiered Liverpool Oratorio (commissioned)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society commissioned McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio (1991), a major orchestral/classical composition (collaboration with Carl Davis).
Released first Fireman album 'Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest'
Collaborated with Youth as the Fireman to release an electronica/ambient album in 1993 under a pseudonym.
Started Beatles Anthology project (took a four-year break)
McCartney paused his solo work in 1994 to collaborate with Harrison, Starr and George Martin on the Beatles Anthology multimedia project (released mid-1990s).
Presented Honorary Fellowship, Royal College of Music
Prince Charles presented McCartney with an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Music (1995).
Co-founded Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) [approx]
McCartney played a leading role in establishing LIPA to support performing arts education in Liverpool (Britannica references his involvement).
Released 'Flaming Pie' and 'Standing Stone' (classical)
Released rock album Flaming Pie and classical Standing Stone (1997); Standing Stone topped UK & US classical charts.
Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II
McCartney was appointed Knight Bachelor in 1997 for services to music (became Sir Paul McCartney).
Linda McCartney dies
Linda McCartney died of breast cancer on 17 April 1998 after 29 years of marriage; a major personal turning point.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction (solo)
McCartney was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1999.
Released 'Run Devil Run' and 'Working Classical'
Released Run Devil Run (covers/rock) and Working Classical (1999), continuing exploration of diverse musical styles.
Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (solo)
McCartney was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1999 (previously inducted as a Beatle in 1988).
Released 'Liverpool Sound Collage' (with Super Furry Animals & Youth)
Collaborative electronica/sound collage project using musique concrète techniques (2000).
Organized Concert for New York City; released 'Driving Rain'
After witnessing 9/11 from JFK tarmac, McCartney helped organize the Concert for New York City; released Driving Rain (Nov 2001) including the song 'Freedom'.
Granted coat of arms by the College of Arms
The English College of Arms granted McCartney a personal coat of arms recognizing his Liverpool roots and music career (2002).
Driving World Tour begins; tour grosses reported
Driving World Tour (2002) began in April; the tour reportedly grossed $126.2 million and was named top tour of the year by Billboard.
Married Heather Mills
Paul McCartney married Heather Mills in July 2002.
Birth of daughter Beatrice Milly
Beatrice Milly McCartney, daughter of Paul and Heather Mills, born in 2003.
Released 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard'
Released the critically acclaimed rock album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (September 2005).
Performed at Live 8 (Hyde Park)
Performed multiple Beatles and solo songs at Live 8 (July 2, 2005) in Hyde Park, opening and closing set pieces.
Released classical work 'Ecce Cor Meum'
Released the classical composition Ecce Cor Meum (2006).
Released 'Memory Almost Full'
Released rock album Memory Almost Full (2007).
Released 'Electric Arguments' (The Fireman)
Third Fireman album, Electric Arguments (2008), continued McCartney's electronic/experimental collaborations with Youth.
Launched Meat Free Monday campaign (with daughters)
In 2009 McCartney and daughters (Mary & Stella) launched the not-for-profit Meat Free Monday to promote reduced meat consumption for health/environment.
Performed three sold-out Citi Field concerts
Performed three sold-out concerts at Citi Field (2009), leading to the Good Evening New York City live album.
RIAA-certified sales reported
As of 2009 McCartney had 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the US; overall career sales estimated at 100 million records.
EMI reissues Beatles catalogue & 'The Beatles: Rock Band' release
On 9 September 2009 EMI reissued the remastered Beatles catalogue and released The Beatles: Rock Band video game.
Received US Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
In 2010 McCartney received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song (first non-American recipient).
Received Gershwin Prize & Kennedy Center Honors
In 2010 McCartney received the U.S. Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree.
Left EMI; signed with Decca Records
In August 2011 McCartney left EMI and signed a new deal with Decca Records (the label that had once rejected the Beatles in 1962).
Married Nancy Shevell
Paul McCartney married Nancy Shevell in October 2011.
MusiCares Person of the Year; 'Kisses on the Bottom' release
Honoured as MusiCares Person of the Year in Feb 2012; released standards album 'Kisses on the Bottom' the same month and performed at the Grammys.
Closed the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony
Performed 'The End' and 'Hey Jude' and led audience singalong at the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony (July 27, 2012); he was paid £1 for the appearance.
Released title track 'New' ahead of album
Released the title track 'New' on 28 Aug 2013 ahead of the October 2013 album release.
Wrote 'Hope for the Future' for video game Destiny
Composed and performed the ending song 'Hope for the Future' for the video game Destiny (2014).
Performed final concert at Candlestick Park
On 14 Aug 2014 McCartney performed the final concert at Candlestick Park, the same venue where the Beatles gave their final paid concert in 1966.
Released 'FourFiveSeconds' with Rihanna & Kanye West
Collaborated with Kanye West and Rihanna on the hit single 'FourFiveSeconds' released in January 2015.
Released 'Pure McCartney' compilation; launched One on One Tour
Released a career-spanning compilation (Pure McCartney) in June 2016 and launched the One on One Tour in April 2016.
Released 'Egypt Station' (debuted #1 Billboard 200)
Egypt Station (Sept 2018) debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Made Companion of Honour
McCartney was made a Companion of Honour in 2018 for services to music and culture (Britannica mentions appointment).
Released 'McCartney III' (recorded during COVID lockdown)
McCartney III (Dec 18, 2020) recorded during pandemic lockdowns; continued his solo-recording tradition of self-performing albums titled McCartney I/II/III.
Headlined Glastonbury Festival (oldest headliner)
Announced and performed as a headliner of Glastonbury Festival in 2022, becoming the festival's oldest headliner at age 80.
Released 'Now and Then' — final Beatles song (AI-assisted)
Using AI-driven audio separation, McCartney and Giles Martin produced a new Beatles single 'Now and Then' (2023) featuring isolated John Lennon vocals.
Estimated fortune reported ~£1 billion
As of 2024 sources reported McCartney's estimated fortune at about £1 billion, making him one of the wealthiest musicians.
Net worth estimate ~ $1.2B (Celebrity Net Worth, Jan 2025)
Biography/Celebrity sources report McCartney's net worth ~ $1.2 billion as of January 2025, reflecting decades of music, tours and catalog value.
The Beatles' 'Now and Then' wins Grammy (Best Rock Performance)
At the 2025 Grammys, the Beatles won for Best Rock Performance for the AI-assisted track 'Now and Then' (McCartney provided new vocals).
Key Achievement Ages
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