Paul McCartney, born on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England, is a British vocalist, songwriter, composer, bass player, poet and painter.
He is renowned for his work with the Beatles in the 1960s, which revolutionized popular music.
McCartney’s solo career has made him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, he formed the band Wings with his wife Linda, achieving significant success.
McCartney’s interests extend beyond music to painting, composing classical music and writing children’s books.
With over 60 gold records and sales of more than 100 million singles, he is the most commercially successful performer and composer in popular music.
McCartney is also a strong advocate for vegetarianism, animal rights, and various social causes and has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music.
Net worth | $1.2 billion |
Date of birth | June 18, 1942 |
Profession | Vocalist, songwriter, composer, bass player, poet, painter |
Nationality | American |
Background
McCartney was born to James “Jim” McCartney and Mary Patricia McCartney.
His father was a cotton salesman and a pianist leading the Jim Mac’s Jazz Band in Liverpool, while his mother was a medical nurse and midwife.
McCartney has Irish and English ancestry, and was raised non-denominational. He has one younger brother, Michael.
McCartney’s mother died of breast cancer when he was 14, which deeply affected him and led to him writing his first song shortly after.
He met John Lennon at a local church fête in 1957, and joined his band, The Quarrymen, which later became The Beatles.
The Beatles, with McCartney as a singer and multi-instrumentalist, along with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, became one of the most successful bands in history.
McCartney’s father, Jim, was a keen musician who encouraged McCartney and his brother Mike to be musical.
After McCartney’s mother died, Jim gave McCartney a trumpet, which he later swapped for a £15 Framus Zenith acoustic guitar.
McCartney attended the Liverpool Institute for Boys from 1953 to 1960, where he earned A level in English and Art.
McCartney’s paternal side is believed to have first emigrated from Ireland to Galloway, Scotland, and then on to Liverpool.
His mother’s family descended from County Monaghan, Ireland, and her father, born Owen Mohin, was from Tullynamalrow in County Monaghan.
McCartney changed his surname to Mohan and moved to Liverpool, where he worked as a coalman and married Mary Theresa Danaher.
Net worth
McCartney is a highly successful British musician with a net worth of $1.2 billion.
He is best known for his time in The Beatles, which was the best-selling music act of all time, with certified sales of over 183 million units in the U.S. and estimated sales of 600 million units worldwide.
McCartney is one of the most successful composers and performers of all time, with more than 2,200 artists covering his Beatles song, Yesterday.
He has won 18 Grammy Awards and has written or co-written 32 songs that have reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
McCartney has also enjoyed success as a solo artist and the founder of the band Wings.
He continues to be one of the top-earning celebrities year after year, with earnings of $50-70 million during touring years and tens of millions per year in royalties and licensing fees earned from both his own music and an incredibly valuable MPL Communications, which owns the copyright of songs from artists including Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins and many others.
The Beatles
McCartney began his musical journey by teaching himself piano, guitar and songwriting as a teenager.
He was heavily influenced by his father, a jazz player, and rock and roll performers such as Little Richard and Buddy Holly.
In 1957, McCartney joined John Lennon’s skiffle group, the Quarrymen, which eventually evolved into the Beatles in 1960.
As a member of the Beatles, McCartney played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with Lennon.
The duo’s songwriting partnership is considered one of the most successful in modern music history, with hits like And I Love Her, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby and Blackbird among the most covered songs in history.
After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, McCartney debuted as a solo artist.
Solo career
McCartney’s solo career began with the release of his debut solo album, McCartney, on April 17, 1970.
This album marked a significant departure from The Beatles’ polished sound, as McCartney chose to create songs, experiments and sound doodles predominantly at home.
The release of this album coincided with McCartney’s decision to leave The Beatles, which he confirmed by sending a press release along with promotional copies of his solo album, effectively informing the public that The Beatles were over.
Despite mixed initial reception, McCartney is now praised for its homemade charm and is considered a pivotal moment in McCartney’s career, setting the stage for his solo endeavors spanning five decades.
McCartney’s solo career continued to evolve with milestones like forming the band Wings in 1971, releasing successful albums like Band on the Run, and achieving his first number one hit without The Beatles with Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.
McCartney’s solo career has been marked by critical acclaim, musical experimentation, and numerous achievements, solidifying his legacy as a music icon.
Music style
McCartney’s music style is characterized by a wide range of genres and influences, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and musician.
He is known for his gentle acoustic ballads, such as And I Love Her by the Beatles and solo songs like Junk, I’m Carrying, One of These Days, Somebody Who Cares, Here Today, Distractions and Jenny Wren.
McCartney has also composed many piano ballads, including Maybe I’m Amazed, My Love, Only Love Remains, Warm and Beautiful, Wanderlust, No More Lonely Nights, Beautiful Night and Loveliest Thing.
He has a knack for creating pastiches of the music-hall/vaudeville genre, with songs like You Gave Me the Answer, Suicide, Baby’s Request and Goodnight Princess.
McCartney is known for writing catchy pop songs, such as Listen to What the Man Said, Silly Love Songs, Ebony and Ivory, My Brave Face, Young Boy and New.
He handles rocking styles with ease, as seen in songs like Too Many People, Oh Woman, Oh Why?, Old Siam, Sir and Beware My Love.
Although not a bluesman, McCartney has incorporated blues elements into his music, with songs like Letting Go, Call Me Back Again, On the Way, Three Legs, Arrow Through Me and Let Me Roll It.
He has composed songs for children, including We All Stand Together, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Hey Diddle and the Rupert the Bear soundtrack.
McCartney has experimented with reggae rhythms in songs like C Moon, How Many People and Good Times Coming.
During the 1970s, McCartney ventured into disco with songs like Goodnight Tonight and Silly Love Songs.
He has been attracted to Latin rhythms and flavors, incorporating them into songs like Bluebird, Hope of Deliverance, A Certain Softness, Hotel in Benidorm, We Got Married and Deliver Your Children.
McCartney’s music style is characterized by his ability to blend various influences and create unique pieces of music that stand out as fine examples of popular music.
Losing and regaining The Beatles rights
McCartney has been in a long-standing battle to regain the rights to the Beatles catalog, which he co-wrote with John Lennon.
The catalog was initially published by Northern Songs, a company that was majority-owned by publisher Dick James.
In 1969, James sold his stake in Northern Songs to ATV Music, which was owned by Lew Grade. Despite Lennon and McCartney’s attempts to offer a counter bid, ATV gained control of the catalog.
Later that year, the duo sold their remaining shares to ATV, leaving them without a stake in the publishing of their own songs.
In 1985, ATV Music, having been acquired by Robert Holmes a Court, was put up for sale.
Michael Jackson, who had famously been told about the value of publishing by McCartney during the sessions for their 1982 collaboration Say, Say, Say, purchased ATV’s 4,000-song catalog for $47.5 million, becoming the owner of the approximately 250 Lennon-McCartney songs, as well as tracks by Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and more.
McCartney, to say the least, was not pleased.
In 2015, he began the process of reclaiming the rights to some of his music under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, filing to reclaim the rights to 32 songs, as a number of titles from the highly coveted Lennon-McCartney catalog are on the eve of hitting the 56-year mark.
In 2017, McCartney reached a settlement with Sony/ATV over copyright to the Beatles catalog under the US Copyright Act of 1976, which allows songwriters to reclaim copyright from music publishers 35 years after they gave them away.
In 2018, he filed for ownership of 32 songs by the year of 2018 – which was 56 years after the release of the Beatles first albums.
The Beatles catalog is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.
Tours
McCartney has been an iconic figure in the music industry, known for his legendary tours and performances.
Over the years, he has embarked on numerous concert tours, showcasing his immense talent and captivating audiences worldwide.
From his early days with The Beatles to his solo career, McCartney’s live shows have been a blend of his classic hits and newer material, creating unforgettable experiences for fans.
In 2024, McCartney kicked off his Got Back tour, marking his return to the stage after a hiatus since his Freshen Up tour in 2019.
This tour will feature songs from his latest albums, McCartney III and McCartney III Imagined, along with timeless favorites like Hey Jude and Maybe I’m Amazed.
The tour will span 13 cities across the United States, starting in Spokane and concluding at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
McCartney’s performances are known for their energy, lasting up to three hours, where he engages with the audience and delivers a mix of rock classics and heartfelt ballads.
Throughout his career, McCartney has showcased his versatility by playing multiple instruments, changing guitars during shows, and delivering electrifying performances that span his extensive musical catalog.
His concerts are not just about the music but also about the experience, with fans describing his shows as touching, beautiful, and unforgettable.
McCartney’s dedication to his craft and his genuine connection with his audience make his tours a must-see for music lovers of all ages.
Awards
McCartney has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career, including eight BRIT Awards, eighteen Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, one MTV Europe Music Award, one Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, one Classical Brit Award, two UK’s Q Awards and honorary titles such as being knighted in the United Kingdom, appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) and appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for services to music.
Additionally, he has been honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, Kennedy Center Honors, Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun in Peru and Legion of Honour in France.
These awards and honors reflect McCartney’s exceptional contributions to music and his enduring impact on the industry.
Philanthropic efforts
McCartney is renowned for his extensive philanthropic endeavors across a range of causes.
His charitable work includes supporting 45 organizations as of June 2020.
McCartney has been a vocal advocate for animal rights, actively backing groups like PETA, the Humane Society of the United States and World Animal Protection.
He has used his influence to raise awareness and funds for these causes, participating in documentaries and public service announcements.
In the realm of environmental conservation, McCartney has lent his support to initiatives such as the Save the Arctic campaign and rainforest preservation efforts.
Additionally, he has contributed to health-related charities like the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and City of Hope, using his music to raise awareness for causes such as cancer research and treatment.
McCartney’s humanitarian efforts extend to disaster recovery and poverty alleviation campaigns.
He has participated in benefit concerts like Live Aid and Live 8, raising funds for various causes.
In 2009, he headlined a concert that raised $3 million for the David Lynch Foundation, which teaches transcendental meditation to at-risk youth.
McCartney’s commitment to philanthropy remains strong, with recent support for initiatives like Streets of London’s #ComeOnHome campaign in 2021, aimed at helping homeless individuals.
His enduring dedication to making a positive impact on society through his philanthropic work is a testament to his generosity and influence.
Personal life
McCartney has been married three times and has five children from his marriages.
His first wife, Linda McCartney, was the mother of his three eldest children, namely Mary, Stella and James.
Mary, born in 1969, is a photographer and cookbook author.
Stella, born in 1971, is a fashion designer.
James, born in 1977, is a musician who has collaborated with his father on some of his albums.
McCartney also adopted Linda’s daughter Heather from a previous relationship.
His second wife was Heather Mills, with whom he had one child, Beatrice.
Beatrice, born in 2003, is McCartney’s youngest child.
She has taken up saxophone lessons and has resided with her mother in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, following their split in 2006.
McCartney is currently married to Nancy Shevell, but they do not have any children together.
McCartney has spoken about fatherhood and how his children have guided him as they have grown older.
He has always tried to give them guidance when they need it, but now that they are older, they are guiding him.
Real estate
McCartney has a diverse real estate portfolio that includes properties in various locations around the world.
In London, he owns a house in St John’s Wood, which he purchased in 1965 for £40,000 and still owns to this day.
The property, located near Abbey Road Studios and the famous zebra crossing, has been valued at £16.5 million due to its prime location.
He also owns a 160-acre farm in East Sussex, known as Blossom Wood Farm, which he bought in 1973.
The farm, where McCartney isolated during the pandemic with his daughter and family, is where he and his late wife Linda raised their children.
The property includes a fir tree that was given to him by George Harrison shortly before his death in 2001.
In the United States, McCartney owns a home in Beverly Hills that he purchased in 2001 for $4 million.
The property, which was previously owned by Courtney Love and Ellen DeGeneres, has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and two acres of land.
He also owns a ranch in Arizona, which he bought in 1979 with his late wife, Linda.
The 151-acre ranch is located near the Tanque Verde River and provided the couple with a private escape during the height of his fame.
McCartney’s real estate portfolio also includes a penthouse in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which he purchased in 2015 for $15.5 million but later sold at a loss.
He also owned a childhood home in Liverpool, which is now owned by the National Trust and serves as a historical landmark.