Paul with Jane Asher (photo: janeasher1).
Sir James Paul McCartney is 68 years old today!
And yes, I kind of like him. ☺
Earlier this month, he received the Gershwin Prize at the White House, and this summer, he’ll be traveling all over North America with his Up and Coming Tour. Our beloved lad from Liverpool, one of the wealthiest men in Britain, is clearly the most successful songwriter in the history of popular music.
When I reflect on the various phases of his career — the Beatles, Wings, as a solo artist — and marvel at his ability to remain fresh and relevant to multiple generations, I always think about his love songs.
If you strip away the grand theatrical work and soundtracks, the classical forays, the electronic innovations, psychedelic experiments, the forever energizing, good old rock ‘n roll — you basically have a man with a tender, melodic voice who composed some of the most stunningly lyrical songs ever: “And I Love Her,” “I Will,” “Blackbird,” “Here, There, and Everywhere,” “Yesterday,” “For No One,” and the song for which he’d most like to be remembered, “Maybe I’m Amazed.”
Jama's Alphabet Soup 