The incomparable Paul McCartney at 80
The incomparable Paul McCartney at 80
As we celebrate Paul McCartney's 80th birthday, it is positively staggering to note the many ways in which he has eclipsed the norms and expectations of his genre
As we celebrate Paul McCartney's 80th birthday, it is positively staggering to note the many ways in which he has eclipsed the norms and expectations of his genre
When the former Beatle first heard the raucous sounds of Elvis Presley in the mid-1950s, rock 'n' roll wasn't a profession
When the former Beatle first heard the raucous sounds of Elvis Presley in the mid-1950s, rock 'n' roll wasn't a profession
It was a scourge. A decade later, when the Who declared "I hope I die before I get old" in "My Generation," no self-respecting rocker set his sights on retirement, much less living into middle-age.
It was a scourge. A decade later, when the Who declared "I hope I die before I get old" in "My Generation," no self-respecting rocker set his sights on retirement, much less living into middle-age.
And yet McCartney abides. In the new century alone, he has released chart-topping LPs and played sold-out stadiums across the globe
And yet McCartney abides. In the new century alone, he has released chart-topping LPs and played sold-out stadiums across the globe
By all rights, he should be marking time as a pensioner, renting a cottage in the Isle of Wight or some such thing
By all rights, he should be marking time as a pensioner, renting a cottage in the Isle of Wight or some such thing
While he contemplated that very fate in "When I'm Sixty-Four," tending the garden and mending a fuse were never really his bag.
While he contemplated that very fate in "When I'm Sixty-Four," tending the garden and mending a fuse were never really his bag.
RELATED: "McCartney 3, 2, 1" is Hulu's engaging series delving into the Beatles' songwriting magic
RELATED: "McCartney 3, 2, 1" is Hulu's engaging series delving into the Beatles' songwriting magic
Incredibly, McCartney has been in public life for nearly the whole of his adult years. He was barely 21 when British Beatlemania came into vogue in the autumn months of 1963
Incredibly, McCartney has been in public life for nearly the whole of his adult years. He was barely 21 when British Beatlemania came into vogue in the autumn months of 1963
And he was working like a dog long before he glimpsed his name in the bright lights of a theatre marquee.
And he was working like a dog long before he glimpsed his name in the bright lights of a theatre marquee.
Indeed, if there is a constant in McCartney's story, it is the artist's journey — a rage to toil in the service of an unquenchable creative drive. He reportedly composed his first song — "I Lost My Little Girl" — after the untimely death of his mother Mary in October 1956
Indeed, if there is a constant in McCartney's story, it is the artist's journey — a rage to toil in the service of an unquenchable creative drive. He reportedly composed his first song — "I Lost My Little Girl" — after the untimely death of his mother Mary in October 1956
and he'll likely be trying to capture the music playing in his head until the day he dies. And, true to his creative energies, he will never quite be satisfied.
and he'll likely be trying to capture the music playing in his head until the day he dies. And, true to his creative energies, he will never quite be satisfied.
After all, it's not the arrival at some hallowed place that excites our most enduring artists. It's the getting there that matters.
After all, it's not the arrival at some hallowed place that excites our most enduring artists. It's the getting there that matters.
RELATED: How Paul McCartney proved Wings haters wrong with "Band on the Run"
RELATED: How Paul McCartney proved Wings haters wrong with "Band on the Run"
Across his long career, McCartney has enjoyed the rare air of being commercially and critically successful. His work both within and without the Beatles has positioned him as his genre's greatest outlier.
Across his long career, McCartney has enjoyed the rare air of being commercially and critically successful. His work both within and without the Beatles has positioned him as his genre's greatest outlier.
Any comparison to his level of attainment is futile at best. The same composer who reconceived the rock album in 1967 with "Sgt.
Any comparison to his level of attainment is futile at best. The same composer who reconceived the rock album in 1967 with "Sgt.
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was still mining out new sounds in 2020 with "McCartney III."
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was still mining out new sounds in 2020 with "McCartney III."
And still he persists in searching out uncharted creative vistas — and, whenever possible, showing off.
And still he persists in searching out uncharted creative vistas — and, whenever possible, showing off.
Matt Fitzpatrick, Will Zalatoris share lead at U.S. Open
Matt Fitzpatrick, Will Zalatoris share lead at U.S. Open
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