NOW I’M 64

Paul McCartney’s birthday celebrated by Spencer Leigh

This is a longer version of a feature which appeared in Liverpool Daily Post on 17 June 2006.

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Born in Walton Hospital on 18 June 1942, James Paul McCartney is the first child of Jim and Mary McCartney. It's wartime and 39-year-old Jim works as an inspector at an ammunition plant, while Mary (32) is a nurse. They were married in 1941 and live at 10 Sunbury Road, Anfield.

In November 1942, they move to a safer address – 92 Broadway, Wallasey – but not for long.

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On 7 January 1944, Paul’s brother, Michael, is also born in Walton Hospital and the family is complete. They move to 3 Roach Avenue, a pre-fab on the Knowsley estate, just off the East Lancs Road..

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The war is almost over and the family stays in Roach Avenue for most of the year..

Mary McCartney becomes a domiciliary midwife and is constantly on call. A ground floor flat at 75 Sir Thomas White Gardens in Everton comes with the job.

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Moving time again – in February 1946, they’re off to 72 Western Avenue, Speke: “the first house I remember,” says Paul of his fifth address.

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Right from the start, Paul loves being with his aunts and uncles. He was to write a song about his Uncle Albert (which became an American number one), whose wife Milly was sometimes known as Sister Susie. Uncle Albert worked in the accounts department at Hannays, where Jim McCartney bought and sold cotton. Paul's cousin Ian would later be Uncle Ian to his children. Auntie Jin (really, Jane) as well as brother Mike are mentioned in Let ’Em In, a key song for knowing the McCartney family!

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Paul attends Stockton Wood Primary School, Speke.

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Jim works in Hannays in the Cotton Exchange but the industry in chaos and both he and Uncle Albert are on half-pay. He is embarrassed that his wife earns more than he does.

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Jim encourages Paul with the daily crossword to increase his wordplay. As a result, Paul is the best speller in his class.

There’s an overflow problem at the school, and Paul moves to Joseph Williams Primary School in Gateacre.

Another move: it’s April 1950 and they go to 12 Ardwick Road, Speke, an unfinished road “so we were slopping through mud for a year.”

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Paul’s favourite radio programme is Dick Barton, Special Agent.

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Paul is often out riding on his Raleigh sports bicycle.

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Like many families, the McCartneys buy a television to watch the Coronation on 2 June 1953. Paul wins an inter-school prize for his essay on the monarchy.

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Paul does well in the 11-plus and is offered a place at a grammar school, the Liverpool Institute.

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A year younger than Paul, George Harrison joins Liverpool Institute and shares Paul’s love of music.

Paul is a model scout, excelling at Bob a Job week and enjoying bird-watching.

In May 1955, the McCartneys move to their seventh and most celebrated address – 20 Forthlin Road, Allerton.

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There are not many airings for the new rock’n’roll and skiffle records on the BBC but Paul is all ears.

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Paul’s parents buy him a trumpet for his birthday, which he gives to his cousin Ian. Paul gets a Zenith acousic guitar, cost 8 guineas. Paul and George learn guitar chords.

On 31 October 1956, Paul’s mother dies from breast cancer, aged 47.

Paul writes his first song, I Lost My Little Girl.

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On 6 July 1957, John Lennon’s Quarry Men play the Woolton Village Fete, and John and Paul meet for the first time.

On 18 October 1957, Paul makes his debut with the Quarry Men at New Clubmoor Hall, Broadway. He fumbles through Guitar Boogie Shuffle “which is one of the easiest things in the world to play.”

On 24 January 1958, Paul plays at the Cavern for the first time.

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The Quarry Men make a private recording at Percy Phillips’ studio in Kensington. “In Spite Of All The Danger” is one of Paul’s songs.

Paul writes the melody for When I’m 64.

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Paul wins a special prize for art at Liverpool Institute.

On 29 August 1959, the Quarry Men make the first of many appearances at the Casbah Club in West Derby.

Now renamed the Silver Beatles, the line-up is John, Paul, George and John’s art school buddy, Stu Sutcliffe. They audition for impresario Larry Parnes and as a result, accompany Liverpool pop singer, Johnny Gentle on a short Scottish tour with drummer, Tommy Moore. Moore doesn’t continue with them as he has a good job at Garston Bottle Works.

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Pete Best, whose mother owns the Casbah Club, joins the Beatles for appearances in Hamburg. They appear at the Indra and the Kaiserkeller, but Paul and Pete are deported on a trumped-up charge of arson.

On 27 December 1960, the Beatles appear at Litherland Town Hall. They are billed as “Direct From Hamburg” and nobody has ever heard anything so raucous and exciting in Liverpool.

With Stu Sutcliffe remaining in Hamburg, Paul takes up the bass. The Beatles become regulars at the Cavern, making their debut on a lunchtime session on 21 February 1961.

In April 1961, the Beatles accompany Tony Sheridan for a recording session in Hamburg.

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On 9 November 1961, Brian Epstein attends a lunchtime session at the Cavern and is blown away. He offers to manage the group and determines to secure them a major recording contract. Decca says no, but EMI’s Parlophone label says yes.

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Pete Best is sacked on 18 August 1962 and replaced by Ringo Starr from Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

The Beatles make the Top 20 with Love Me Do and consolidate their success with Please Please Me and From Me To You. They tour with Helen Shapiro and take a day off to make their first album, Please Please Me.

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Paul celebrates his twenty-first birthday at his Auntie Jin’s house at 147 Dinas Lane, Huyton. During the party, John Lennon attacks the Cavern DJ, Bob Wooler.

On 3 August 1963, the Beatles make their 274th and final appearance at the Cavern.

On 7 December 1963, the Beatles appear at Liverpool Empire, forming the panel for BBC-TV’s Juke Box Jury and being filmed in concert. Beatlemania sweeps the UK and their album, With the Beatles, is the leading Christmas present.

The Beatles become the first UK act to conquer America, both on The Ed Sullivan Show and at Carnegie Hall.

As well as writing major hit records (She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Can’t Buy Me Love), the Lennon and McCartney team write for Billy J. Kramer, Cilla Black, the Fourmost and Peter and Gordon. Peter is the brother of Paul’s girlfriend, Jane Asher.

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Now international stars, the Beatles are performing at Sydney Stadium on Paul’s birthday. Paul asks the audience to stop throwing jelly babies but they take no notice. He complains, “We hate being the target for sweets coming like bullets from all directions.”

On 10 July 1964, hundreds of thousands welcome the Beatles home for the northern premiere of A Hard Day’s Night. The film is a commercial and critical success. Lennon and McCartney write the whole of the companion album.

55,000 fans scream for the Beatles at Shea Stadium.

Paul buys his dad a house on the Wirral, Rembrandt, as well as a steeplechaser, Drake’s Drum.

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Creatively, not the Beatles’ finest year as Beatles for Sale lacks innovation and Help! has a ridiculous plot. However, the Help! album includes Ticket To Ride and Paul’s classic ballad, Yesterday, which was recorded with a string quartet. If you don’t care for Paul’s version, there are over 2,000 more to choose from.

The Beatles are awarded MBEs for their contribution to Britain’s exports.

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What better birthday present than to have your new single, Paperback Writer, at the top of the charts?

In July, Beatlemania turns sour when the Beatles unintentionally snub Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in the Philippines, and an international incident ensues.

On 29 August 1966, The Beatles perform their last public concert at Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Paul writes about his love of Liverpool in Penny Lane.

The day before his twenty-fifth birthday, Paul admits to taking LSD.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Wings Greatest Hits is a big seller, but the new singles aren’t as successful.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Paul records with Michael Jackson and they have success with The Girl Is Mine and later Say Say Say.

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Paul’s new album is Pipes Of Peace and he tops the charts with the title track.

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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?”

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Paul closes Live Aid with Let It Be and has chart success with the film theme, Spies Like Us.

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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.

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Paul makes an album for the Russian market, Choba B CCCP. Sounds impressive but it is a goodtime LP of rock’n’roll favourites.

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Paul and Linda appear in the TV comedy, Bread.

Paul collaborates with Elvis Costello and their solo albums, Flowers in the Dirt and Spike, contain some joint compositions. The best-known is Veronica, a hit single for Costello.

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Another day another world tour. 13 countries, 102 concerts and 3 million fans.

Paul sends a concert clip to the John Lennon tribute at the Pier Head.

Paul joins fellow Liverpudlians, Gerry Marsden, Holly Johnson and the Christian for a charity single, Ferry Cross The Mersey.

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On 28 June 1990, Paul appears at King’s Dock and performs a special John Lennon medley.

Paul appears on MTV’s Unplugged and releases an album of the concert.

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Paul and Linda launch her range of vegetarian foods at the Hard Rock Café in London.

Premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio at the Anglican Cathedral. It is conducted by his co-writer, Carl Davis.

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Paul’s fiftieth birthday is marked by Paul McCartney Day on Radio Two.

Paul’s new album is Off The Ground.

Lots of radioplay for Hope Of Deliverance but none for Bad Boys Bickering as Paul is using four-letter words to express his views on Prime Minister’s Questions.

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The first six months of this year are taken by a world tour.

Paul, George and Ringo get together to augment John Lennon’s demo of Free As A Bird.

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Yoko and Sean spend a weekend with Paul and Linda, and they record Hiroshima, It’s Always A Beautiful Blue Sky. This has not been released but Paul makes a succession of avant garde recordings around this time, including singles as The Fireman.

The Sunday Times estimates that Paul is worth £400m.

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Paul and Linda guest on The Simpsons and say that if you play Maybe I’m Amazed backwards, you will hear a recipe for lentil soup.

The launch of Anthology, a series of albums and TV documentaries. The first volume of Anthology sells 12 million copies.

The Queen officially opens the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA).

Paul is appointed a Fellow of the Royal College of Music

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Following the New Year Honours, it is now Sir Paul McCartney.

Co-produced with Jeff Lynne, Paul’s album, Flaming Pie, has excellent reviews and Paul has a hit single with a song for his son, James, Young Boy.

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Paul’s premieres his second classical work, the orchestral Standing Stone.

Stella McCartney has her first show for Chloe.

On 17 April 1998, Linda McCartney dies from breast cancer at their ranch near Tucson, Arizona.

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Now a National Trust property, Paul’s childhood home in Forthlin Road is opened to the public.

Paul organises Here, There and Everywhere – A Concert for Linda at the Royal Albert Hall.

Paul campaigns against GM foods.

In April 1999, Paul McCartney becomes a grandfather when Mary, who is married to film director Alistair Donald, gives birth to Arthur.

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Several concerts are held under the name A Garland For Linda.

Paul complains about John Lennon being featured as the co-writer on Yesterday, conveniently ignoring the fact that he has his name on several songs that he didn’t write.

Paul returns to the Cavern Club for a concert to promote his new album, Run Devil Run. Broadcast live on the internet, it has 50 million hits.

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Paul composes experimental music, Liverpool Sound Collage, for Peter Blake’s exhibition at Tate Liverpool.

Cherie Blair opens the Linda McCartney cancer centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

During several interviews to promote Wingspan, Paul indicates that his Wings catalogue is as strong as his work with the Beatles – or is it hype to sell a record?

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Paul gives poetry readings at the Hay-on-Wye arts festival and the Everyman to promote his new book, Blackbird Singing.

Following 9/11, Paul performs Freedom at the Concert for New York at Madison Square Garden.

Paul receives an Oscar nomination for his title song for the film, Vanilla Sky, but his album, Driving Rain, is only on the charts for one week.

An exhibition of Paul’s paintings opens at the Walker Art Gallery. Brian Sewell says, “It’s an infuriating tendency amongst clapped-out pop stars to become artists.” The Queen, visiting the exhibition, says they are “very colourful”.

On 11 June 2002 and just before his sixtieth birthday, Paul and Heather are married at Castle Leslie in Ireland.

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Paul designs a series of stamps for the Isle of Man.

Paul writes to McDonald’s shareholders, requesting better treatment of farmed animals.

Paul undertakes two-month American tour.

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Mary McCartney has a second son, Elliot.

On 28 October 2003, Paul and Heather have a daughter, Beatrice Milly.

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On 25 February 2005, Stella McCartney and her husband, Alasdhair Willis, have their first child, Miller.

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McCartney’s new album, Chaos And Creation in the Back Yard, is well reviewed and the cover features a vintage shot of him at Forthlin Road.

The long-running dispute with Apple Corps and Apple Computers is settled, but not in the Beatles’ favour.

Blaming media intrusion, Paul and Heather separate, and the estimates of the divorce settlement suggest a minium of £50m.

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What will Paul do now he’s 64? His support of Liverpool and of LIPA is bound to continue. He is planning something for Liverpool in 2008, so let’s hope that it is more than a concert. He once suggested that Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever could have been part of an album called Liverpool, so why not finish that off? It is surprising that someone so prolific has not written a stage musical, so why not give those songs to LIPA. I would guess that what Paul wants more than anything is another Yesterday, and wouldn’t we like that too?