Pick a Day

Paul McCartney is born James Paul McCartney in Allerton, Liverpool, England. McCartney's father and great-grandfather also were named James, although his dad was informally known as Jim. When Paul's father was younger, he'd led a local jazz band, and could play piano and the trumpet. Jim McCartney passed down his love for music to his son.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon meet for the first time at the Village Fete in the Liverpool suburb of Woolton, where Lennon's group, the Quarrymen, are performing. When they meet again, Lennon asks McCartney to join his band.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon perform together for the first time after Paul joins John's band the Quarrymen. The show takes place at New Clubmoor Hall in their hometown of Liverpool, and Paul plays guitar.

The Quarrymen perform at the Wilson Hall in the Garston section of Liverpool, England. Afterwards, member Paul McCartney introduces his friend George Harrison to John Lennon.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon perform as "the Nerk Twins" at the Fox and Hounds pub in Reading, England. The pub is owned by McCartney's cousin and her husband. The duo play another set the next day.

The Beatles, with a lineup of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, bass player Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best, play the Cavern Club in Liverpool for the first time, earning £5 for the lunchtime gig. They become regulars at the club, where they end up doing 291 more shows.

After a Beatles performance at Royal Albert Hall in London for the radio show Swingin' Sound '63, Paul McCartney meets the actress Jane Asher. They become one of the most popular couples in England and get engaged, but they never marry and split up in 1968. This relationship inspires several Beatles songs, including "All My Loving" and "I'm Looking Through You."

John Lennon and Paul McCartney compose "She Loves You" in a hotel room in Newcastle, England, while on tour there.

London's Sunday Times names Paul McCartney and John Lennon the Outstanding Composers of 1963.

Peter & Gordon's "A World Without Love" - written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney - goes to #1 in the US. The connection: McCartney is dating Peter Asher's sister, Jane.

The Beatles are awarded Members of the British Empire (MBE) medals from Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace. John Lennon claims they smoked marijuana in the bathroom before receiving the awards, although George Harrison said it was just tobacco. Harrison and Paul McCartney put the awards on their jackets for the Sgt. Pepper album cover; Lennon sends his back in 1969.

The Beatles' "Yesterday" hits #1 for the first of two weeks. Paul McCartney is the only group member to play on the track; he's augmented by a string section. The melody came to him in a dream.

Paul McCartney buys the farm in Kintyre, Scotland, that inspires his 1977 megahit ballad "Mull Of Kintyre."

Paul McCartney first meets Linda Eastman at a Georgie Fame concert in London. They get married two years later, a union that lasts until her death in 1998.

Paul McCartney announces his engagement to Jane Asher (they break up eight months later without ever getting married).

In America, The Beatles release the Paul McCartney-penned "Hey Jude" with John Lennon's "Revolution" on the B-side. It hits #1 a month later and stays for nine weeks, longer than any other song in 1968.

Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman at the register office in Marylebone, London, and again at the Anglican church in St. John's Wood. None of his Beatles bandmates attend.

Paul McCartney releases his first solo album, McCartney. Unlike the grand Beatles' productions, this one is stripped-down, with Paul playing all the instruments himself.

In publicity materials released to promote his first solo album, McCartney, Paul McCartney indicates that he's done with The Beatles. Paul's comments in the press release are considered official confirmation that the band has broken up.More

Paul McCartney's first solo album, the back-to-basics McCartney, hits #1 in America even though it contains no singles.

Paul McCartney sues to dissolve The Beatles partnership and breaks ties with Allen Klein, whom the other three members have chosen to manage their affairs. The case drags on for years until the partnership is finally dissolved in a 1975 private agreement.

Each of the four ex-Beatles has a solo single on the UK chart: John Lennon - "Power to the People" Paul McCartney - "Another Day" Ringo Starr - "It Don't Come Easy" George Harrison - "My Sweet Lord"

Paul McCartney's second solo album, Ram, is certified Gold.

Paul McCartney puts Wings in flight, announcing the formation of his first post-Beatles band. Members are Paul, his wife Linda, former Moody Blues singer Denny Laine on guitar, and Denny Seiwell on drums.

Paul McCartney and wife Linda welcome a daughter: Stella Nina McCartney. Stella, who will grow up to be a fashion designer, joins older sister Mary and half-sister Heather (Linda's daughter from a previous marriage).

Paul McCartney throws a party at London's Empire Ballroom to officially launch his new group, Wings.

Paul McCartney & Wings release their debut album, Wild Life.

The BBC bans Paul McCartney's "Give Ireland Back To The Irish." The song was inspired by an incident that occurred on Jan. 30, 1972, when British soldiers open fire on 26 unarmed civilians during a peaceful protest march in Derry, Northern Ireland, resulting in 14 deaths.

Beginning a covert university tour where Paul McCartney can play to small audiences, Wings play their first show: an unannounced concert at Nottingham University in England.

Paul McCartney's first television special, James Paul McCartney, airs on ABC, featuring a few Beatles songs, new Wings tracks, sketches, and a final performance of a song called "Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance," originally written for Twiggy.