Childhood and Education Journey of Paul McCartney in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Paul McCartney. From birth to education, explore key events.

Sir Paul McCartney is an English singer, songwriter, and musician, most notably known for his role in The Beatles. Playing bass guitar and piano, he shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. McCartney is celebrated as one of history's most successful composers and performers, marked by his melodic bass lines, wide vocal range, and genre-spanning musical exploration from pop and classical to electronica. His songwriting partnership with Lennon is recognized as the most successful in music history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1902: Jim McCartney's Birth Year

Jim McCartney, Paul McCartney's father, was born in 1902.

1909: Mary Patricia Mohin's Birth Year

Mary Patricia (née Mohin), Paul McCartney's mother, was born in 1909.

June 1942: Birth of James Paul McCartney

In June 1942, James Paul McCartney was born at Walton Hospital in Liverpool to parents Mary Patricia (née Mohin) and Jim McCartney. He was raised in a household with Irish descent, along with his younger brother Peter Michael.

June 1942: Paul McCartney Born

In June 1942, James Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool, England. He later became a singer, songwriter and musician known for his work with the Beatles.

1944: Family Rehoused in Knowsley

In 1944, the McCartney family was rehoused at a flat in Knowsley.

1946: Family Moves to Speke

In 1946, the McCartney family moved to a council housing development in Speke.

1947: Attends Stockton Wood Road Primary School

From 1947, Paul McCartney attended Stockton Wood Road Primary School in Speke.

1949: Transfers to Joseph Williams Junior School

In 1949, Paul McCartney transferred to Joseph Williams Junior School in Belle Vale due to overcrowding at Stockton Wood Road Primary School.

1953: Passes the 11-Plus Exam

In 1953, Paul McCartney passed the 11-Plus exam, allowing him to attend the Liverpool Institute, a grammar school.

1954: Meets George Harrison

In 1954, Paul McCartney met schoolmate George Harrison on the bus from his home in Speke, marking the beginning of their friendship.

October 1956: Death of Mary McCartney

On October 31, 1956, Paul McCartney's mother, Mary McCartney, died of an embolism as a complication of surgery for breast cancer, marking a significant loss in his life at the age of 14.

1956: Death of Paul McCartney's Mother

In 1956, Mary Patricia (née Mohin), Paul McCartney's mother, died.

July 1957: Meets John Lennon

On July 6, 1957, at the age of fifteen, Paul McCartney met John Lennon and his band, the Quarrymen, at the St Peter's Church Hall fête in Woolton, leading to his invitation to join the band as a rhythm guitarist.

1957: Joins the Quarrymen

In 1957, Paul McCartney began his musical career by joining John Lennon's skiffle group, the Quarrymen.

1958: Harrison joins the Quarrymen

In 1958, George Harrison joined the Quarrymen as lead guitarist.

1958: John Lennon's mother dies

In 1958, John Lennon's mother, Julia, died when Lennon was 17. This shared experience of loss created a connection between Lennon and McCartney.

1959: Met Dorothy "Dot" Rhone

In 1959, Paul McCartney met Dorothy "Dot" Rhone, his first serious girlfriend in Liverpool, at the Casbah club.

1960: The Beatles Form

In 1960, the Quarrymen evolved into the Beatles, marking a significant moment in music history.

1962: Rhone Visited Hamburg

In 1962, Dorothy Rhone accompanied Cynthia Lennon to Hamburg when The Beatles played there again.

April 1963: First Meeting with Jane Asher

In April 1963, Paul McCartney first met British actress Jane Asher at a Beatles performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

1964: Introduction to Cannabis

In 1964, Bob Dylan introduced The Beatles to cannabis in a New York hotel room, which McCartney recalls led to him getting "very high".

1964: Moves from Forthlin Road

In 1964, The McCartney family moved from 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, where they had lived since moving there thanks to Mary McCartney's midwifery earnings.

March 1966: Moved to Own Home in St John's Wood

In March 1966, Paul McCartney moved to his own home in St John's Wood after living with Jane Asher at her parents' home for over two years.

1966: First Met Linda Eastman

In 1966, Linda Eastman first met The Beatles at Shea Stadium. She later commented that she was initially interested in John Lennon, but her fascination faded and she liked Paul.

1966: First Independent Musical Project

In 1966, Paul McCartney completed his first musical project independent of The Beatles: a film score for the UK production "The Family Way".

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1966: First LSD Experience

In late 1966, Paul McCartney eventually tried LSD for the first time.

March 1967: Second LSD Experience

In March 1967, Paul McCartney took his second "acid trip" with John Lennon after a Sgt. Pepper studio session.

May 1967: Proper Acquaintance with Linda Eastman

On 15 May 1967, Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman became properly acquainted at a Georgie Fame concert at The Bag O'Nails club during her UK assignment to photograph rock musicians in London.

August 1967: Death of Brian Epstein

In August 1967, Brian Epstein's death created a void, leading Paul McCartney to step in as the de facto leader and business manager of The Beatles.

1967: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Album

Starting with the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in 1967, McCartney began to take on a leadership role within the Beatles, driving the creative direction of their music and film projects.

March 1969: Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman

In March 1969, Paul McCartney married Linda Eastman. Despite a pre-wedding argument that almost led to the cancellation of the ceremony, they proceeded and established a close and loving relationship.

March 1969: Marriage to Linda Eastman

In March 1969, Paul McCartney married his first wife, Linda Eastman.

1970: Solo Debut and Formation of Wings

In 1970, after the Beatles disbanded, Paul McCartney launched his solo career with the album "McCartney" and formed the band Wings with his wife Linda and Denny Laine.

September 1971: Stella McCartney's Birth

In September 1971, Paul and Linda McCartney's daughter, Stella, was born, named in honour of Linda's grandmothers, both named Stella.

1971: Bought Buddy Holly's Publishing Rights

In 1971, Paul McCartney bought the publishing rights to Buddy Holly's music catalog.

1972: Fine for Cannabis Possession in Sweden

In 1972, Paul McCartney was fined £1,000 by a Swedish court for cannabis possession.

December 1973: US Visa Denial

Until December 1973, the US government repeatedly denied Paul McCartney a visa due to his drug convictions.

1973: Conviction for Illegal Cultivation in Scotland

In 1973, Paul McCartney was convicted of illegal cultivation of marijuana and fined £100 at Campbeltown Sheriff Court after Scottish police found marijuana plants growing on his farm.

1974: McCartney and Lennon Briefly Reconnect

In early 1974, Paul McCartney and John Lennon briefly became close again after having a strained relationship post-Beatles, even playing music together on one occasion. However, the two grew apart in later years.

1975: Marijuana Possession Arrest in Los Angeles

In 1975, Paul McCartney was arrested again for marijuana possession in Los Angeles. Linda took the blame, and the court dismissed the charges.

1975: Became a Vegetarian

Since 1975, Paul McCartney has been a vegetarian.

April 1976: McCartney and Lennon Consider SNL Reunion Offer

On 24 April 1976, Paul McCartney and John Lennon considered a $3,000 offer to reunite the Beatles on Saturday Night Live while watching the show at Lennon's home in the Dakota. Although tempted, they decided it was too late to go to the studio, making it their last time together.

1976: Inaugurated Buddy Holly Week

In 1976, on what would have been Buddy Holly's fortieth birthday, Paul McCartney started the annual "Buddy Holly Week" in England to celebrate Holly's legacy.

1976: Death of Paul McCartney's Father

Jim McCartney, Paul McCartney's father, died in 1976.

September 1977: Birth of James McCartney

In September 1977, Paul and Linda McCartney welcomed their third child, a son named James.

January 1980: Arrest and Deportation in Japan

In January 1980, Paul McCartney was arrested in Japan after customs officials found approximately 8 ounces of cannabis in his luggage. He was later released and deported without charge after ten days.

December 1980: McCartney's reaction to Lennon's Murder

On 9 December 1980, Paul McCartney responded to the news of John Lennon's murder the previous night. McCartney's initial reaction of "It's a drag" was met with criticism, though he later clarified that he deeply felt the loss.

1980: Resumes Solo Career

In 1980, Paul McCartney resumed his solo career after the dissolution of Wings.

1983: Took Up Painting

In 1983, Paul McCartney became interested in painting after watching artist Willem de Kooning work in his Long Island studio and started painting himself.

1983: McCartney reflects on his relationship with Lennon

In 1983, Paul McCartney reflected on his relationship with John Lennon, expressing regret for not making more effort to connect with him and acknowledging the deep sadness he felt after Lennon's death.

1984: Arrested for Marijuana Possession in Barbados

In 1984, Paul McCartney was arrested for possession of marijuana while on holiday in Barbados and fined $200.

1989: Solo Touring

In 1989, Paul McCartney began touring as a solo artist.

1990: Named Favorite Guitar Players

In 1990, when asked who his favorite guitar players were, Paul McCartney included Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour, stating, "but I still like Hendrix the best".

1994: Beatles Anthology Project

Starting in 1994, McCartney took a four-year break from his solo career to work on Apple's Beatles Anthology project with Harrison, Starr and Martin.

1997: McCartney reflects on Lennon's death

In 1997, Paul McCartney said that John Lennon's death made the remaining ex-Beatles nervous that they might also be murdered.

1997: Support for Decriminalization of Cannabis

In 1997, Paul McCartney spoke out in support of decriminalization of cannabis, arguing that making people criminals for smoking pot was wrong.

1998: Linda McCartney's Death

In 1998, Linda McCartney passed away at the age of 56 after battling breast cancer. Paul sought counseling to cope with the loss and alleviate feelings of guilt, reflecting on the simplicity and beauty of their marriage.

1999: First Art Exhibition in Siegen, Germany

In 1999, Paul McCartney first exhibited his paintings in Siegen, Germany. The 70-painting show featured portraits of John Lennon, Andy Warhol, and David Bowie.

September 2000: First UK Exhibition of Paintings

In September 2000, Paul McCartney's first UK exhibition of paintings opened, featuring 500 canvases at the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol, England.

October 2000: Art Debuted in Liverpool

In October 2000, Paul McCartney's art debuted in his hometown of Liverpool at the Walker Art Gallery.

November 2001: McCartney's reaction to Harrison's Death

In November 2001, following George Harrison's death, Paul McCartney expressed his affection and admiration for Harrison, reminiscing about their shared history and close bond.

2001: Published "Blackbird Singing"

In 2001, Paul McCartney published "Blackbird Singing", a volume of poems and lyrics to his songs.

Blackbird Singing: Poems and Lyrics, 1965–1999

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2002: Paul McCartney marries Heather Mills

In 2002, Paul McCartney married Heather Mills, a former model and anti-landmine campaigner.

2002: McCartney calls Lennon his greatest hero

In 2002, Paul McCartney told Mojo magazine that John Lennon was his greatest hero.

2003: Birth of Beatrice Milly McCartney

In 2003, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills had a child named Beatrice Milly, honoring Mills's late mother and one of McCartney's aunts.

2003: Meeting with Vladimir Putin on Landmines

In 2003, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills met with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, urging Russia to join the anti-landmine campaign.

2004: McCartney comments on Media Animosity

In 2004, Paul McCartney commented on the negative media attention directed toward his partners, referencing past disapproval regarding his relationships with Jane Asher and Linda Eastman.

2005: Published "High in the Clouds"

In 2005, Paul McCartney's first children's book, "High in the Clouds: An Urban Furry Tail", a collaboration with writer Philip Ardagh and animator Geoff Dunbar, was published by Faber & Faber.

High in the Clouds by Paul McCartney, Geoff Dunbar, & Philip Ardagh (Hardcover)

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April 2006: McCartney and Mills Separate

In April 2006, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills separated, marking the beginning of the end of their marriage.

2006: Campaign Against Seal Hunting

In 2006, Paul and Heather McCartney traveled to Prince Edward Island to raise international awareness of seal hunting and debated with Newfoundland's Premier Danny Williams on Larry King Live.

November 2007: McCartney and Shevell's Relationship Begins

In November 2007, Paul McCartney began a relationship with Nancy Shevell, whom he had known for about 20 years prior.

May 2008: McCartney and Mills Divorce

In May 2008, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills divorced after separating in April 2006. The divorce proceedings were acrimonious.

2008: Publicly States Support for Both Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C.

In 2008, Paul McCartney publicly stated his support for both Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C., clarifying that while his family are Evertonians, he supports both teams.

July 2010: McCartney joins Starr's birthday concert

On 7 July 2010, Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance at Ringo Starr's seventieth birthday concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York, performing the Beatles' song "Birthday" with Starr's band.

October 2011: Paul McCartney marries Nancy Shevell

On 9 October 2011, Paul McCartney married Nancy Shevell in a civil ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall, London. The wedding was a modest event attended by about 30 relatives and friends.

2015: McCartney Quits Cannabis

In 2015, Paul McCartney quit cannabis to set a good example for his grandchildren.

2016: Expressed Solidarity for Orlando Shooting Victims

Following the 2016 Orlando shooting, Paul McCartney expressed his solidarity for the victims during a concert in Berlin.

2018: Wrote the Children's Book "Hey Grandude!"

In 2018, Paul McCartney wrote the children's book Hey Grandude! together with illustrator Kathryn Durst.

Hey Grandude!

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September 2019: "Hey Grandude!" Published

In September 2019, the children's book Hey Grandude!, written by Paul McCartney and illustrated by Kathryn Durst, was published by Random House Books.

Hey Grandude!

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2020: Calls for Ban on Chinese Wet Markets

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, Paul McCartney called for Chinese wet markets to be banned, citing health and animal cruelty concerns. He also commented on ecocide.