Paul McCartney Turns 72!

My entire life has been one amazing Paul McCartney song after another. It started obviously, with The Beatles, followed by Wings and his solo career. Paul McCartney is a living legend in the music industry and continues to be so.

Paul McCartney and The Beatles with Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Rock DJ

The Paul McCartney Story

Sir James Paul McCartneyMBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and composer. With John LennonGeorge Harrison and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the Beatles, and hiscollaboration with Lennon is one of the most celebrated songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. After the band’s break-up, he pursued a solo career, later forming Wings with his first wife, Linda, and singer-songwriter Denny Laine.

Paul McCartney & The Beatles First Visit to The USA

Guinness World Records described McCartney as the “most successful composer and recording artist of all time”, with 60 gold discs and sales of over 100 million albums and 100 million singles, and as the “most successful songwriter” in United Kingdom chart history. More than 2,200 artists have covered his Beatles song “Yesterday“, more than any other song in history. Wings’ 1977 release “Mull of Kintyre” is one of the all-time best-selling singles in the UK. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in March 1999, McCartney has written, or co-written 32 songs that have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and as of 2013 he has sold over 15.5 million RIAA-certified units in the United States.

Paul McCartney & Wings Jet Live

McCartney has released an extensive catalogue of songs as a solo artist and has composed classical and electronic music. He has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rightsseal huntinglandminesvegetarianism, poverty, and music education. McCartney has married three times and is the father of five children.

Paul McCartney: Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five

Paul McCartney Dominates Bonnaroo

For anyone born in the last quarter century who wondered whether Paul McCartney’s allotted two-and-a-half-hour set would be “too much” for the 70-year-old Beatle was justly put to shame Friday night when Macca delivered a truly legendary, 24-song set that, by the way, lasted almost three hours.

Paul McCartney at Bannaroo with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Every year, Bonnaroo’s Friday-night, headlining artist is the impetus for many to splurge on the festival ticket. McCartney’s main-stage act was no exception, considering its cross-generational, grin-inducing appeal to, well, everyone. Not one to settle for the expected, McCartney played more than his back-catalogue staples (which, for the record, would have been completely acceptable). Among the lovingly off-kilter setlist selections were “Your Mother Should Know,” “All Together Now” and “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da,” all of which were met with equal affinity as the “Let it Be’s” and the “Hey Jude’s” of the night.

It was the greatest, most sincere sing-along that has ever been conceived. To witness McCartney perform “Something” on ukulele in tribute to George Harrison, moments before a cannon-blazing rendition of “Live and Let Die” and a suitably zealous “Helter Skelter,” was as fantastical as it was fierce. It was the perfect environment for Bonnaroo’s Dropping Point — the point at which Bonnaroo gently lifts you and then not-so-gently drops you into the festival, typically spearheaded by the Friday night, headlining act. Arcade Fire and Radiohead occupied the spot in 2011 and 2012, respectively, and McCartney passed the torch as if “Love Me Do” were released yesterday. It will be arduous to top someone whose song book is so collectively enamored, but if there is a festival in which we can instill faith, it’s Bonnaroo (they brought us a Beatle).

Paul McCartney in Brooklyn

Happy Birthday Paul McCartney!

McCartney said he had the idea of “Let It Be” after he had a dream about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (the “White Album”). McCartney explained that his mother—who died of cancer when McCartney was fourteen—was the inspiration for the “Mother Mary” lyric. He later said, “It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing ‘Let It Be’.” He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him “It will be all right, just let it be.”

Paul McCartney & The Beatles Let It Be Live in Studio

What is your favorite Paul McCartney Song or memory?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

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Paul McCartney at 12.12.12 Rocks This DJ

It was such a treat to see Sir Paul McCartney onstage at the 12.12.12 Benefit Concert for Hurricane Sandy! Of course, the whole line-up was great to see from Bruce Springsteen to The Who, Roger Waters and The Rolling Stones to Kanye West and Alicia Keys and Bill Joel.  Most of the performers looked old, well, because they are old. I am not sure why I give a pass to Paul McCartney and not as much the rest of the Classic Rockers who made the trip from near and far to support us here in the New Jersey, New York and Long Island area hit by Hurricane Sandy. There is something about Paul McCartney that is different, I felt it as a kid and still do today. Paul McCartney has that ‘thing’ that few people posses to the degree he does. It also might have something to do with this past Saturday Night being the memorial of John Lennon’s death, which hit me harder this year than most.

 

Paul McCartney’s set began with “Helter Skelter” that somehow seemed very appropriate. “Let Me Roll It” and “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five”. It was fun to hear this song played with such energy! The video is below.

Paul McCartney Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five Music Video

Paul McCartney  invited Diana Krall onstage for “My Valentine”. There was also a heartfelt dedication to the victims of Sandy and rendition of “Blackbird”.  Members of the band Nirvana joined Paul McCartney for a song. Paul McCartney then played “I’ve Got A Feeling” and “Live and Let Die”.

Fifty-one years ago Paul McCartney & The Beatles signed with Brian Epstein!

Paul McCartney and Beatles Icon with Rhode Island Rock DJ

I enjoyed many of the performers but Paul McCartney’s set moved me the most. I also was inspired by Bill Joel’s “Miami 2017” and Kanye West’s “Golddigger”. The only negative perspective I would add is that Alicia Keys was the sole female musical performer. She did a great job but would have liked to had more female musicians represented. It was a great night for an excellent cause. Any professional DJ would be thrilled to support this benefit if they live in the area or anywhere.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Beatles First Visit to USA

It is hard to imagine that there was a time music existed before The Beatles. I realize how short-sighted that is to write but still what’s on my mind. For those who were not born yet to witness Beatlemania, there is not really a way to accurately convey just how big they were and how quickly it happened. If you can visualize Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Akon, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus all wrapped into one band in its impact and complete domination of the Billboard charts. They were their only real competition for many years. In 1964, during the week of 4 April, the Beatles held twelve positions on the singles chart, including the top five. Just to make sure you understood what was just written, The Beatles had the top five songs and twelve in general! The Beatles First Visit to USA!

 

The influence of The Beatles still continues today. They were the avalanche that made the British Invasion what it became and paved the road for the British artists in America today. The mindset of peace and imagining a world with equality, respect and freedom for all are still with us. The legacy of The Beatles outlasted their actual careers together as a musical group. They were together for less than a decade and here we are almost forty years later still listening to and appreciating their greatness and artistry. From the days of cute ‘moptops’ to Sargeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and finally Let It Be, The Beatles have left their mark globally and definitely for me personally. The Beatles First Visit to USA!

 

I remember the first ’45’ I owned was The Beatles I Want To Hold Your Hand. It is where this all started for me. In a world dominated by performers more interested in being noticed by paparazzi than trying to create world peace and love, groups like The Beatles are missed. Maybe it is time for some of the major acts of today to step-up and lead the way for the next generation. The Beatles First Visit to USA!

The Beatles First Visit to USA! Who will be the ones to do this?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ