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Born on June 18, 1942,Paul McCartneygrew up in Liverpool, England, and … well you probably know the rest. He hit global fame at a young age as the heartthrob of The Beatles, and has since released album after album of hits while touring and raising a family. Here, on McCartney’s 81st birthday on June 18, 2023, take a look at his life in photos.
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Paul McCartney’s Early Years
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McCartney was raised in Liverpool, England, with his parents and younger brother Peter Michael. His dad was a self-taught musician, and often gathered the family around the piano at night for a musical wind-down.
Paul was a solid student and sang in the church choir while balancing piano and trumpet lessons.
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Paul McCartney Learns Music
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03of 16Paul McCartney and John LennonHulton Archive/GettyAt the Liverpool Institute, Paul reconnected with an old school friend, George Harrison, and soon after, met John Lennon.“You saw him rather than met him,” Paul once said of John. “He grew long sideburns, he had a long drape jacket, he had the drainpipe trousers and the crepe-soled shoes.“Their friendship — and shared love of music — affected Paul’s schoolwork, much to his father’s chagrin.“I ruined Paul’s life,” John once told journalist Ray Connolly. “He could have been a doctor. He could have been somebody!”
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Paul McCartney and John Lennon
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At the Liverpool Institute, Paul reconnected with an old school friend, George Harrison, and soon after, met John Lennon.
“You saw him rather than met him,” Paul once said of John. “He grew long sideburns, he had a long drape jacket, he had the drainpipe trousers and the crepe-soled shoes.”
Their friendship — and shared love of music — affected Paul’s schoolwork, much to his father’s chagrin.
“I ruined Paul’s life,” John once told journalist Ray Connolly. “He could have been a doctor. He could have been somebody!”
04of 16Paul McCartney and The QuarrymenMichael Ochs Archive/GettyIn 1957, Paul watched John’s band The Quarrymen at a church carnival, soon joining them and bringing George along, too.“The Quarrymen were so knocked out that I actually knew and could sing ‘Twenty Flight Rock,’ " Paul said inThe Anthology.“That’s what got me into the Beatles.“That and “he also looked like Elvis,” John told Hunter Davies inThe Beatles.“I dug him.”
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Paul McCartney and The Quarrymen
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In 1957, Paul watched John’s band The Quarrymen at a church carnival, soon joining them and bringing George along, too.
“The Quarrymen were so knocked out that I actually knew and could sing ‘Twenty Flight Rock,’ " Paul said inThe Anthology.“That’s what got me into the Beatles.”
That and “he also looked like Elvis,” John told Hunter Davies inThe Beatles.“I dug him.”
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Paul McCartney and The Beatles
Paul McCartney and John Lennon.Cummings Archives/Redferns
Paul and John immediately began writing songs together.
“We had a rule,” Paul once said. “If we couldn’t remember the song the next day, then it was no good.”
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The group also got quite a bit of screen time, starring in movies likeHelpandAHard Day’s Night,based on their musical works.
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Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman
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Paul McCartney Marries Linda
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09of 16Paul McCartney’s DaughtersDennis Stone/Mirrorpix/GettyTogether, the pair had daughters Heather, Stella and Mary (here at London’s Heathrow Airport in 1975). Heather is now an artist, Stella a designer and Mary an activist and photographer.
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Paul McCartney’s Daughters
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Together, the pair had daughters Heather, Stella and Mary (here at London’s Heathrow Airport in 1975). Heather is now an artist, Stella a designer and Mary an activist and photographer.
10of 16Paul McCartney’s Son JamesRon Galella/gettyThe couple also had a son, James, born in 1977 (here with Dad in N.Y.C. in 1981). He has since become a musician like his father.
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Paul McCartney’s Son James
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The couple also had a son, James, born in 1977 (here with Dad in N.Y.C. in 1981). He has since become a musician like his father.
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Paul McCartney’s Solo Career
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In the 1970s, Paul launched his solo career, later gathering musician friends and Linda to form the successful band Wings before returning to solo work in the ’80s and ’90s.
12of 16Paul McCartney and Heather MillsSion Touhig/GettyIn 2002, Paul married model and activist Heather Mills, but the pair’s divorcemade way more headlinesbeginning in 2006. By 2008, Mills — mom of the couple’s young daughter Beatrice — was granted an almost $50 million settlement following a drawn-out court battle to end the marriage.
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Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
Sion Touhig/Getty
In 2002, Paul married model and activist Heather Mills, but the pair’s divorcemade way more headlinesbeginning in 2006. By 2008, Mills — mom of the couple’s young daughter Beatrice — was granted an almost $50 million settlement following a drawn-out court battle to end the marriage.
13of 16Paul McCartney and Nancy ShevellDave Benett/GettyOn Oct. 9, 2011,Paul marriedNew York City businesswoman Nancy Shevell in an intimate ceremony in London. One week prior, the singer told PEOPLE, “It’s a good time for me. I’m happy.”
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Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell
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On Oct. 9, 2011,Paul marriedNew York City businesswoman Nancy Shevell in an intimate ceremony in London. One week prior, the singer told PEOPLE, “It’s a good time for me. I’m happy.”
14of 16Paul McCartney at the London OlympicsLars Baron/GettyIn 2012, amidst a series of tours, Paul — now an Oscar winner and an 81-time Grammy nominee (with 18 wins) — helped close out the London Olympics.
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Paul McCartney at the London Olympics
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In 2012, amidst a series of tours, Paul — now an Oscar winner and an 81-time Grammy nominee (with 18 wins) — helped close out the London Olympics.
15of 16Paul McCartney Reunites with Ringo StarrgettyDespite the untimely deaths of bandmates John and George, Paul and Ringo have remained close, joining each other on stage once in a while like at the 2014 The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute to the Beatles in L.A.
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Paul McCartney Reunites with Ringo Starr
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Despite the untimely deaths of bandmates John and George, Paul and Ringo have remained close, joining each other on stage once in a while like at the 2014 The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute to the Beatles in L.A.
16of 16Paul McCartney Performing RecentlyKeith Birmingham/gettyAs of last year, Paul was back on the road on his Got Back U.S. tour, with a performance at the Glastonbury Festival on the docket.
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Paul McCartney Performing Recently
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As of last year, Paul was back on the road on his Got Back U.S. tour, with a performance at the Glastonbury Festival on the docket.
source: people.com
