"Critcs have claimed that Paul McCartney is one of the most commercially successful rock composers of all time, both solo and as a member of the Beatles" (Rolling Stone). In 1976 he came out with his first solo single "I Lost My Little Girl". His most commercialized song, "Yesteday" was played over 6 million radio stations in the USA. The song has been recorded as the most popular song in history. He also holds the record for the largest paid audience for a solo perfomance. He sang infront of 184,000 fans at a concert in Rio de Janeiro. As well as working with the Beatles, McCartney is the only ex-Beatles to perform in another band. McCartney recorded with the "Wings" from 1971 to 1981, recording for more years than the Beatles.
Born as James Paul McCartney, in Liverpool, England, June 18th, 1942. As a young boy Paul had been exposed and taught quite a bit about music. His father, James McCartney led the "Jim Mac Jazz Band" in the twenties. You could say that Paul's talent runs in the family.
At the age of fourteen, his mother Mary had died of breast cancer and not long after Paul had bought his first guitar, and learned to play. In June of 1957 at a church picnic in Woolton, Liverpool, Paul had met John Lennon. After John had listned to Paul, he had decided to ask him to audition for his band, "The Quarrymen". After Paul's composition of Eddie Cochran's "Twenty Flight Rock" he won entry and along with John, became the bands principal songwriter. Over the years the band would evolve into The Beatles.
In 1962, after releasing a commodity of hit singles, the Beatles began recording with EMI. They soon became the most popular band in Britain. Their popularity in Britian didn't last long, "Beatlemania" had spread to the USA and they were now the most popular band in the world. In 1968 trouble started to arise among the group. The rockstars began arguing over the bands musical direction and began to pursue more independent personal lives.