Paul writes about his love of Liverpool in Penny Lane.
The day before his twenty-fifth birthday, Paul admits to taking LSD.
25
Paul spends his twenty-fifth birthday working on the McGough-McGear album with Roger McGough and his brother. His first film score, The Family Way, is released.
The groundbreaking Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band includes Paul’s nod to the 1930s, When I’m 64.
The Beatles and their entourage study with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Bangor and on 27 August 1967, they learn of the death of Brian Epstein.
Paul and Jane Asher announce their engagement on Christmas Day. The Beatles’ TV film, Magical Mystery Tour, which was developed from Paul’s concept, is shown on Boxing Day and receives awful reviews. The songs include Paul’s Fool on the Hill.
Paul writes Step Inside Love, the signature tune of Cilla Black’s TV series.
26
Paul’s engagement to Jane Asher is off.
Paul seeks new talent for Apple Records. The first Apple single is “Hey Jude” and he produces the second, Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were the Days”. The Beatles return from India with many new songs leading to the 36-track, double LP, The White Album.
On 30 January 1969, the Beatles bring Savile Row to a standstill with their rooftop concert. The Beatles are joined by Billy Preston, who also plays on their single, “Get Back”.
The Yellow Submarine cartoon film has many innovative effects.
On 12 March 1969, Paul marries the photographer, Linda Eastman, at Marylebone Registry Office. Her daughter, Heather, from a previous marriage is adopted by Paul.
27
On 28 August 1969, Paul and Linda’s daughter, Mary, is born.
The “Paul is dead” rumours begin with a report in an Illinois newspaper. Paul says to the media, “I’m dead, am I? Why doesn’t anybody tell me anything?”
Despite their differences, the Beatles combine their talents for a glorious album, Abbey Road. The interlinked suite of songs on Side 2 is mostly Paul’s concept and work. John says he is getting tired of being a sideman for Paul, but the answer is simple – write more songs, mate!
Paul writes Come And Get It for Badfinger to perform in the film, The Magic Christian.
On 10 April 1970, Paul leaves the Beatles because of “personal, business and musical differences.” Quite coincidentally, you understand, it coincides with his first solo album, McCartney.
The Beatles had been filmed making a new album, Let It Be, and after some doctoring by Phil Spector, it is eventually released in May 1970.
28
Start of High Court proceedings to wind up the Beatles, which drags on for years.
Paul’s first solo single, Another Day, reaches Number 2 and Ram tops the album charts.
Paul and Linda form Wings with Denny Laine from the Moody Blues and their first album is the low-key Wild Life.
29
Wings perform a spontaneous tour of UK universities, apparently deciding in the morning where they will be playing that night.
Wings’ single, Give Ireland Back to the Irish, is banned by the BBC.
On 13 September 1971, Paul and Linda’s daughter, Stella, is born in London.
31
Wings clock up hits with C Moon, My Love and the James Bond theme, Live And Let Die. A TV documentary, James Paul McCartney, is screened.
Paul, Linda and Denny Laine record Wings’ best-known album, Band On The Run, in Lagos.
32
Wings record the Venus And Mars album in New Orleans.
In 1972, Paul’s records his dad’s composition, Walking In The Park With Eloise, with top Nashville session men under the name of the Country Hams.
33
On 15 September 1975, Liverpudlians listen to what the man said as Wings play the Empire.
On 18 March 1976, Paul’s father dies from bronchial pneumonia.
34
Wings have hit singles with Silly Love Songs and Let ’Em In as well as releasing the triple live album, Wings Over America.
Paul secures Buddy Holly’s publishing and inaugurates the annual Buddy Holly week in London.
35
On 12 September 1977, Paul and Linda’s son, James, is born in London.
To escape fan mania, Paul and Linda retreat to their farm in Scotland. How odd that they should highlight their whereabouts in Wings’ Christmas single, Mull of Kintyre. It is the first record to sell two million copies in the UK alone.
36
Wings Greatest Hits is a big seller, but the new singles aren’t as successful.
37
A new album, Back To The Egg, is released on Paul’s birthday.
Paul has a Wonderful Christmastime and performs at the concert for the people of Kampuchea.
Paul is arrested in Japan on drug offences. His prison diary, called Japanese Jailbird, has not been published.
Paul makes a one-man LP, McCartney II, which tops the album charts.
38
John Lennon is assassinated and, caught off guard, Paul comments, “It’s a drag.”
Paul goes to Montserrat and records with Carl Perkins and Stevie Wonder.
Paul and Linda add backing vocals to George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon, All Those Years Ago.
39
Paul McCartney Way is part of a housing development in Liverpool.
Paul and Stevie Wonder top the charts with Ebony And Ivory, and Paul’s album, Tug Of War, is a best-seller.
Somewhat overdue, Paul McCartney is the castaway on Desert Island Discs.
40
Paul records with Michael Jackson and they have success with The Girl Is Mine and later Say Say Say.
41
Paul’s new album is Pipes Of Peace and he tops the charts with the title track.
42
Paul is given the Freedom of the City of Liverpool.
Paul’s film, Give My Regards To Broad Street, receives a critical and public mauling, and on top of that comes the Frog chorus, We All Stand Together.
Mike McCartney unveils a statue of the Beatles in Cavern Walks and asks, “Which one’s Paul?”
43
Paul closes Live Aid with Let It Be and has chart success with the film theme, Spies Like Us.
44
Paul’s new album, Press To Play, has stylish packaging and the classy ballad, Only Love Remains. Many of the songs are written with Eric Stewart from 10cc.
45
Paul makes an album for the Russian market, Choba B CCCP. Sounds impressive but it is a goodtime LP of rock’n’roll favourites.