366Art | Sir Paul McCartney

Today, June 18th, marks the birthday of Sir Paul McCartney, one of the most iconic and influential musicians in the history of pop and rock music. The artwork above and his portrait in the musical reference works / birthday calendars below, are made by me.

James Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England. He became globally known as a bassist, singer, songwriter, and one of the key members of the legendary band The Beatles. McCartney met John Lennon on July 6, 1957, during a performance by Lennon's band, The Quarrymen. A mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan, introduced Paul McCartney to John Lennon. Vaughan was a classmate of McCartney's and knew Lennon through the band. During their first meeting, McCartney played a few songs on the guitar and also showed Lennon how to tune a guitar, something Lennon struggled with at the time. Several weeks later, McCartney joined The Quarrymen, which eventually became The Beatles.

Alongside John Lennon, McCartney formed the primary songwriting duo of The Beatles. They wrote numerous hits including Hey Jude, Let It Be, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Come Together and many others. The Beatles became one of the most influential bands in the history of pop music. After a decade of immense popularity and artistic innovation, the band disbanded in 1970.

Following the breakup of The Beatles, McCartney released his first solo album, McCartney. He and his wife Linda McCartney formed the band Wings, which had many successful hits such as Band on the Run,  Live and Let Die,  Silly Love Songs,  Jet,
Let 'Em In,  With a Little Luck,  Listen to What the Man Said en Mull of Kintyre. McCartney's solo and Wings careers were commercially successful, with many albums selling well and receiving critical acclaim.

McCartney collaborated with various artists including Michael Jackson (The Girl is Mine en Say Say Say) and Stevie Wonder (Ebony and Ivory). He also composed classical music, such as the oratorio Liverpool Oratorio and Ecce Cor Meum. McCartney is known for his experiments with different musical styles and techniques, including electronic music and avant-garde. The album "Flaming Pie" features contributions from various musicians including Steve Miller, Jeff Lynne, James McCartney, and Ringo Starr, former Beatles bandmate, who played drums on some tracks. Flaming Pie is an eclectic album that combines rock, folk, and pop elements, marking a return to the simplicity and spontaneity characteristic of McCartney's work with The Beatles.

In 1969, Paul McCartney married photographer and musician Linda Eastman. They had four children together: Heather, Mary, Stella, and James. Linda McCartney passed away due to complications from breast cancer, sparking a wave of sympathy and support from fans worldwide. Many appreciated her not only as Paul McCartney's wife but also for her own work as a photographer, musician, and animal rights activist. She successfully launched a line of vegetarian food products called Linda McCartney Foods. Paul continued to support and promote Linda's work in animal rights and vegetarianism.

In 2002, McCartney married Heather Mills, with whom he had a daughter, Beatrice. The marriage ended in divorce in 2008. In 2011, he married Nancy Shevell. McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 and has since been known as Sir Paul McCartney. He has received numerous Grammy Awards and other honors. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in music history, both for his work with The Beatles and his solo and Wings career. McCartney continues to actively perform and make music, regularly going on world tours and releasing new music. He is involved in numerous charitable and social initiatives and remains a prominent figure in the music industry. McCartney's lasting influence on the world of music and his ability to continuously adapt and innovate have firmly established his status as a legend in pop and rock music.