Paul McCartney has enjoyed a storied career. From the early days of the Beatles to his continuing solo career, few artists can boast having endured as many changes as McCartney has. Below, find twelve photos that attempt to capture his journey as a musician. Though there are many to choose from, these are our favorite McCartney moments.
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12 Photos That Capture Paul McCartney’s Legendary Journey
1. (Left to Right) John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Johnny Hutch, and George Harrison in Liverpool (1960)
We’re starting this gallery at the natural point: Liverpool in the early ’60s. The photo below was taken before the band found a permanent drummer, though the titular lineup was nearly rounded out. We can see a young John Lennon, McCartney, and George Harrison playing in an early iteration of the Beatles, readying themselves to become one of the biggest bands in the world.
2. The Beatles and Roy Young at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany (1962)
Hamburg was an important early stop for the Beatles. Consequently, it was the first place Ringo Starr would play with the band, completing the Fab Four. Below, find a picture of Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison performing in Hamburg, sans Starr.
3. Beatlemania sweeps over New York City (1964)
In 1964, the Beatles made their first stop in America. Fans in New York City came out to show their support for the Mop Tops–as seen below. The band famously performed on The Ed Sullivan Show during the same trip across the Atlantic.
4. The Beatles Film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ (1964)
Fans got a closer look at the Beatles through A Hard Day’s Night. The film allowed the band to showcase their comedic chops–a facet fans came to know and love nearly as much as their music. In the photo below, you can see the foursome getting their hair adjusted by actresses that appeared in the film (including Patti Boyd).
5. Beatles Albums are Burned (1966)
While the majority of the Beatles’ career was a straight shot upward, they did hit a snag when Lennon decided to hail the band as being “more popular than Jesus.” It prompted those offended by the statement to burn their albums, as seen below. Though it didn’t hurt their ultimate reputation as a band, it wasn’t a shining moment for the group, that’s is for sure.
6. Beatles Play Their Last Ever Public Concert (1969)
We’re jumping ahead a little here to the band’s final concert. After several more lauded years, the band decided to call it quits. Backlash from Lennon’s comment and in-fighting made continuing on a chore for the group, but they did want to leave their fans with a strong goodbye. They took to the rooftop of the Apple Organization building to play a surprise show. It became an iconic moment in the Beatles’ relatively short, but integral journey.
7. Paul and Linda McCartney outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London (1971)
Soon after the Beatles called it quits, McCartney got to work on his solo career. He released McCartney in 1970, which is now looked on favorably by DIY artists. In 1971, he joined forces with his wife, Denny Seiwell, and Denny Laine to form Wings–his second band venture. In the photo below, the McCartneys are headed to the Royal Courts of Justice for a lawsuit that aimed to dissolve the Beatles’ partnership.
8. Wings Releases ‘Band on the Run’ (1973)
Wings released Band on the Run in 1973. The album became the band’s first to receive widespread critical praise, proving McCartney could continue to excite listeners after the Beatles’ breakup. Find a shot from the album cover session, below.
9. Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney (1981)
McCartney continued his string of No. 1 hits with “Ebony and Ivory.” The photo below sees him recording the song with Stevie Wonder. The song was written with a racial justice message in mind. Though it might be seen as a little trite now, it managed to play well enough with audiences in the early ’80s.
10. (Left to Right) George Michael, Bono, and Paul McCartney at Live Aid (1985)
McCartney helped to close out one of the most famous concert events of all time: Live Aid. He took to the stage with a host of other famous faces to sing “Let It Be.” The song helped to encapsulate the powerful message at the center of this benefit.
11. (Left to Right) Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Billy Joel at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1990)
1999 was the year McCartney got inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame–making him the second ex-Beatle to get a solo induction after Lennon. He advocated for both Harrison and Starr to get their own inductions, which would eventually come to fruition.
12. Paul McCartney Headlining Glastonbury (2022)
We’re jumping ahead to one of McCartney’s biggest feats in recent years: headlining Glastonbury. McCartney took the Pyramid Stage by storm, proving he could be just as dynamic as he was at the start of his career. Playing through Beatles hits and solo ones, McCartney cemented his legend status here. Find a photo from the show, below.
Featured Photo: (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
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