Paul McCartney - Review

"Live and let die" – A review of Paul McCartney.

Paul McCartney is one of those artists who has just always… been. One of the most influential figures in modern music, a founding member of The Beatles and a successful solo artist, Paul McCartney has certainly left a permanent mark on musical history, but how has his career lasted so long?

Born in Liverpool in 1942, Paul McCartney brought melodic bass lines, versatility and distinctive vocals to every song he was involved with. His songwriting partnership with John Lennon helped to produce some of the most well-known songs The Beatles ever released, such as “Hey Jude” (one of my particular favourites) and "Let It Be", and the success of the band is an obvious high point in McCartney's extensive career.

Of course, The Beatles didn't last forever, and after the band broke up, McCartney was faced with the challenge of creating his own solo career. His initial work was… interesting, and received mixed reviews, but he soon found his stride when his band, Wings, was formed, alongside his wife Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine.

Wings released several successful albums, including "Band on the Run" and "Venus and Mars". which further cemented McCartney's reputation as a creative force. It wasn't all positive though; the late seventies and early eighties brought criticism for some of his solo efforts, which were seen as less innovative compared to his Beatles days. Some shadows were, perhaps, too large to outrun at the time.

Still, Paul McCartney certainly never disappeared quietly, despite taking a hiatus from live performances following the passing of John Lennon in 1980. McCartney was someone who was known by all, someone who was bound to return to form, and in 1997 he did just that when Flaming Pie was released, marking his return to critical acclaim.

In 2001, personal tragedy struck for McCartney when his beloved wife, Linda, was lost to cancer. This was, of course, both a personal and a professional blow, and one that no doubt affected McCartney more than can be imagined. You might think that this loss would spell the end of his musical career, and yet as recently as 2018, McCartney released music which topped the US charts.

Something genuinely impressive about Paul McCartney is that despite his age, he is still known for touring. Despite setbacks and personal losses, McCartney has always managed to be creatively innovative and incredibly resilient. Whilst The Beatles were one of the most popular bands of all time, McCartney forged his own career, and his success is a true testament to his enduring influence on not only British music, but music across the globe – I am sure he'll continue to influence artists and fans for decades to come.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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