Happy Birthday, Paul McCartney!

Hard to believe, but Paul McCartney turns 80 years old today. To put some perspective on this, here are some milestones in Macca’s life:

  • 1942: James Paul McCartney is born in Liverpool, England.
  • 1945: World War II ends.
  • 1956: Writes the song, “When I’m Sixty-Four.”
  • 1957: Meets John Lennon. John invites 15-year-old Paul to join his skiffle band, The Quarrymen.
  • 1958: The Quarrymen make an amateur recording of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day.”
  • 1960: The Quarrymen become The Beatles.
  • 1962: Turns 20. The Beatles record their first single, “Love Me Do.”
  • 1963: Beatlemania breaks out in the UK and Europe.
  • 1964: The Beatles conquer America.
  • 1966: The Beatles play their last concert.
  • 1967: The Beatles’ iconic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album is released.
  • 1969: Marries Linda Eastman. Mary McCartney is born later the same year.
  • 1970: The Beatles formally split up, leaving 28-year-old Paul without a band. Releases “McCartney,” his first solo album.
  • 1971: Forms Wings with Linda and former Moody Blues singer Denny Laine. Linda gives birth to Stella McCartney.
  • 1972: Turns 30. Performs his first concert with Wings to an audience of 700 at Nottingham University.
  • 1973: Wings releases the album “Band on the Run.”
  • 1976: Wings tours America.
  • 1977: Wings enjoys their peak of chart success in the UK when “Mull of Kintyre” stays at #1 for 9 weeks. James McCartney is born.
  • 1980: Busted in Japan; spends 10 days in jail for possession of cannabis. Releases “McCartney II.” John Lennon is murdered in New York.
  • 1981: Wings split.
  • 1982: Turns 40. Releases the album “Tug of War” and earns a #1 hit with Stevie Wonder, “Ebony and Ivory.”
  • 1985: Performs “Let It Be” for Live Aid.
  • 1989: With a new band, embarks on his first world tour since 1976.
  • 1992: Turns 50.
  • 1997: Releases “Flaming Pie” featuring collaborations with Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller, and Ringo Starr. It is the last album he makes with his wife Linda.
  • 1998: Linda McCartney dies.
  • 2001: Releases “Freedom,” a song responding to the 9-11 attacks. Former fellow Beatle George Harrison dies.
  • 2002: Turns 60, marries Heather Mills, and tours the world with his new (and current) band.
  • 2003: Beatrice Milly McCartney is born.
  • 2008: Paul and Heather divorce.
  • 2011: Marries his current wife, Nancy Shevell.
  • 2012: Turns 70. Closes out the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert.
  • 2014: Plays the final concert at the soon-to-be-demolished Candlestick Park, the venue of the Beatles’ last concert.
  • 2020: Releases “McCartney III,” his 18th solo album.
  • 2022: Turns 80. Headlines the Glastonbury Festival.

Do you have any favorite McCartney songs or McCartney memories? Share them in the comments!

cds

Colin D. Smith, writer of blogs and fiction of various sizes.

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