Paul McCartney's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Paul McCartney. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Sir Paul McCartney is a highly successful English singer, songwriter, and musician, most famously known for his role in the Beatles. He played bass guitar and piano for the band, sharing songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. McCartney is celebrated for his melodic bass-playing, wide vocal range, and musical versatility, spanning various genres. His songwriting partnership with Lennon remains the most successful in music history.

Sections (5)

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

1953: Passing the 11-Plus Exam

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

1962: Start of successful songwriting

From 1962 to 1978, Paul McCartney wrote or co-wrote 43 songs that sold one million or more records.

1963: Popularity in the UK

In 1963, The Beatles gained significant popularity in the UK, achieving their first hit with "Love Me Do" and setting the stage for their international fame.

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1964: Popularity in the US

In 1964, The Beatles became popular in the US, igniting "Beatlemania" and solidifying their status as a global phenomenon. Paul McCartney co-wrote several early hits with John Lennon during this time.

1965: Appointed as Member of the Order of the British Empire

In 1965, Paul McCartney was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire, recognizing his contributions to music and culture.

1966: Final Commercial Concert and Film Score for The Family Way

In 1966, The Beatles gave their final commercial concert at the end of their US tour. Later that year, Paul McCartney completed his first musical project independent of the group, a film score for the UK production The Family Way in collaboration with George Martin.

1968: "Hey Jude" Success

In 1968, The Beatles' composition "Hey Jude" achieved the highest sales in the UK and topped the US charts for nine weeks, becoming the longest-running Beatles single at seven minutes eleven seconds and the best-selling Beatles single, selling over five million copies soon after its release.

1975: Grammy Win for Band on the Run

In 1975, Paul McCartney and Wings won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance for the song "Band on the Run".

1978: End of successful songwriting period

From 1962 to 1978, Paul McCartney wrote or co-wrote 43 songs that sold one million or more records.

1979: Guinness Recognition as Most Honored Composer and Performer

In 1979, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Paul McCartney as the "most honored composer and performer in music", with 60 gold discs and significant sales as part of the Beatles.

1988: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Beatles

In 1988, Paul McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles, celebrating the band's significant impact on music history.

1988: Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1988, Paul McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles.

April 1990: Largest Paying Stadium Audience

On 21 April 1990, during the Paul McCartney World Tour, Paul McCartney performed for the largest paying stadium audience in history, with 184,000 people in attendance.

1992: BAFTA Award for Animated Film

In 1992, Paul McCartney and Geoff Dunbar won a BAFTA award for their animated film about the work of French artist Honoré Daumier.

1995: Oobu Joobu radio series and Royal College of Music Fellowship

In 1995, McCartney recorded a radio series called Oobu Joobu for Westwood One. Also in 1995, Prince Charles presented him with an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Music.

1997: Knight Bachelor Appointment

In 1997, Paul McCartney was appointed as Knight Bachelor for his services to music, a high honor acknowledging his lasting contributions to the industry.

1999: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Solo Artist

In 1999, Paul McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, further recognizing his individual achievements and influence in music.

1999: Solo Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1999, Paul McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

2003: Highest Income within Media Professions in the UK

In 2003, Paul McCartney earned £40 million, making him the highest-earning individual within media professions in the UK that year.

2009: RIAA Certification

As of 2009, Paul McCartney had 15.5 million RIAA-certified units in the United States as a solo artist, and an additional 10 million with Wings, marking a significant milestone in his solo and band career.

2009: Guinness Recognition as Most Successful Songwriter

In 2009, Guinness World Records again recognized Paul McCartney as the "most successful songwriter" for having written or co-written 188 charted records in the United Kingdom.

2011: Third Best Bassist of All Time

In 2011, Rolling Stone readers' poll voted Paul McCartney the third best bassist of all time.

February 2012: Kisses on the Bottom release and MusiCares Person of the Year honor

In February 2012, McCartney released Kisses on the Bottom, a collection of standards. In the same month, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored him as the MusiCares Person of the Year.

July 2014: Return to touring

On 5 July 2014, McCartney resumed touring with a high-energy three-hour appearance in Albany, New York.

April 2015: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In April 2015, Paul McCartney inducted Ringo Starr into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2016: Grammy Nominations for Hip-Hop Record

In 2016, Paul McCartney's collaboration on "All Day" earned him two Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, marking his first hip-hop record to be nominated for a Grammy.

June 2017: Confidential Settlement with Sony/ATV

In June 2017, Paul McCartney and Sony agreed to a confidential settlement regarding the ownership of his share of the Lennon-McCartney song catalogue.

December 2020: McCartney III Chart Success

In December 2020, the release of Paul McCartney's album McCartney III and its charting at number 2 on the US Billboard 200 made him the first artist to have a new album in the top two chart positions in each of the last six decades.

2020: Ninth Greatest Bassist of All Time

In 2020, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Paul McCartney the ninth greatest bassist of all time. Also in 2020, Bass Player magazine ranked him the third best bass player of all time.