Happy Birthday, Paul McCartney!

Hard to believe, but Paul McCartney turns 80 years old today. To put some perspective on this, here are some milestones in Macca’s life:

• 1942: James Paul McCartney is born in Liverpool, England.
• 1945: World War II ends.
• 1956: Writes the song, “When I’m Sixty-Four.”
• 1957: Meets John Lennon. John invites 15-year-old Paul to join his skiffle band, The Quarrymen.
• 1958: The Quarrymen make an amateur recording of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day.”
• 1960: The Quarrymen become The Beatles.
• 1962: Turns 20. The Beatles record their first single, “Love Me Do.”
• 1963: Beatlemania breaks out in the UK and Europe.
• 1964: The Beatles conquer America.
• 1966: The Beatles play their last concert.
• 1967: The Beatles’ iconic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album is released.
• 1969: Marries Linda Eastman. Mary McCartney is born later the same year.
• 1970: The Beatles formally split up, leaving 28-year-old Paul without a band. Releases “McCartney,” his first solo album.
• 1971: Forms Wings with Linda and former Moody Blues singer Denny Laine. Linda gives birth to Stella McCartney.
• 1972: Turns 30. Performs his first concert with Wings to an audience of 700 at Nottingham University.
• 1973: Wings releases the album “Band on the Run.”
• 1976: Wings tours America.
• 1977: Wings enjoys their peak of chart success in the UK when “Mull of Kintyre” stays at #1 for 9 weeks. James McCartney is born.
• 1980: Busted in Japan; spends 10 days in jail for possession of cannabis. Releases “McCartney II.” John Lennon is murdered in New York.
• 1981: Wings split.
• 1982: Turns 40. Releases the album “Tug of War” and earns a #1 hit with Stevie Wonder, “Ebony and Ivory.”
• 1985: Performs “Let It Be” for Live Aid.
• 1989: With a new band, embarks on his first world tour since 1976.
• 1992: Turns 50.
• 1997: Releases “Flaming Pie” featuring collaborations with Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller, and Ringo Starr. It is the last album he makes with his wife Linda.
• 1998: Linda McCartney dies.
• 2001: Releases “Freedom,” a song responding to the 9-11 attacks. Former fellow Beatle George Harrison dies.
• 2002: Turns 60, marries Heather Mills, and tours the world with his new (and current) band.
• 2003: Beatrice Milly McCartney is born.
• 2008: Paul and Heather divorce.
• 2011: Marries his current wife, Nancy Shevell.
• 2012: Turns 70. Closes out the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert.
• 2014: Plays the final concert at the soon-to-be-demolished Candlestick Park, the venue of the Beatles’ last concert.
• 2020: Releases “McCartney III,” his 18th solo album.
• 2022: Turns 80. Headlines the Glastonbury Festival.

Do you have any favorite McCartney songs or McCartney memories? Share them in the comments!