Paul McCartney turns 75: Will he ever slow down?
Paul McCartney is one of the most successful musicians in the music world. After The Beatles disbanded, McCartney embarked on a successful solo career. Here's a look at some of the highlights.
Forever an ex-Beatle
He's most often depicted on the world's biggest stages with a bass in his hand. However, while he may always be seen as an ex-Beatle to many, McCartney's career didn't stop when he left the band. The British musician has published over 20 solo albums, written classical music and even given a concert in the White House.
Where it all began
The Beatles formed in 1960, initially consisting of members Stu Sutcliffe, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Pete Best. In December of that year, Brian Epstein took over the group's management and ordered the musicians to get what would become iconic mushroom-top haircuts. It was the start of an unbelievable career.
Battle of the pop giants
In April 1970, Paul McCartney announced he was leaving The Beatles, and a series of drawn-out battles ensued. The fab four would never again be united, as they are seen here on the cover of the album "Abbey Road." Years later, Paul McCartney denied the rumor that John Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, was the one to blame for the disagreement.
The Wings
Just a week after The Beatles broke up, Paul McCartney released his first solo album. In the following year, he founded the group The Wings with his wife Linda on keyboard and friend Denny Laine on bass. The band played together for 10 years and hit the top of the US and English charts, despite poor initial reviews.
The shy painter
At the age of 41, he began to paint, but kept his work a secret. Then, at the age of 56, McCartney presented his expressionist paintings for the first time not in New York or London, but in the North Rhine-Westphalian city of Siegen. "He wants to put the focus on himself as a painter, not as a painting ex-Beatle," the exhibition manager, Mr. Suttner, told "Die Zeit" newspaper in 1999.
Meatless for climate change
A vegan since the 70s, McCartney is engaged in animal rights activism and takes a stand against industrial animal farming and medical experimentation on animals. In December 2009, the pop star even paid a visit to the European Parliament in Brussels to draw attention to the effects of the meat industry on global warming.
A nostalgic duo
The world rejoiced when ex-Beatles McCartney and Ringo Starr reunited. After the band separated, they both had successful careers as professional musicians. As recently as 2010, they collaborated on Starr's solo album "Y Not" and performed several concerts together. For Starr's upcoming album, the pair met in February at the drummer's private studio.
McCarrrrtney!
After the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards appeared in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series, McCartney had his turn. In the fifth film, the pop legend played a relative of the main character, Jack Sparrow. The public, however, seemed more amused than convinced.
When will he slow down?
After The Wings disbanded, McCartney dedicated time to his solo career. He toured the world and even made the Guinness Book of World Records when he performed at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 1990: 184,368 people attended the concert, the most ever for a solo musician. Although he is now in his twilight years, McCartney hasn't slowed down. In 2017, he performs in the US and Brazil.