Paul mccartney biography ks2

Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and composer. He is internationally known as a singer and bassist of the Beatles. With singer and guitarist John Lennon, he contributed music and lyrics to a lot of the band's songs.

Early Life

Paul was born at Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery (Past is Walton Hospital) in Walton, Liverpool, England. His parents are Jim and Mary McCartney, he has a brother, Michael McCartney and a stepsister, Ruth. He was born James Paul McCartney, but goes by his middle name. His mother died of Breast Cancer in 1956.

The Quarrymen (1957–1962)

Paul first met John Lennon in 1957, after Paul saw John's band, The Quarrymen, playing a live performance. Paul auditioned for the band and joined instantly. A year later, Paul asked the band to have George Harrison audition, at first, they did not want George because he was 15 years old and was considered "too young". However, Paul convinced them to have George in the band. In 1960, the Quarrymen would change their name a lot, having names such as "Johnny and the Moondogs" and "The Silver Beetles".

The Beatles (1962–1970)

In 1962, The Beatles signed to Parlophone Records. They were found and managed by Brian Epstein from 1962, until Brian's death from an overdose of drugs in 1967.

Their first song released was Love Me Do. One year later, their first album, Please Please Me was made.

McCartney began writing songs before he was sixteen, and has written well over two hundred. His most famous song is "Yesterday", recorded by the Beatles in 1965. Since then around 2000 artists have recorded the song and currently holds the world record for the song that has been covered the most times.

Other songs written by McCartney for The Beatles include "Can't Buy Me Love", "Hey Jude", "Penny Lane", "Eleanor Rigby" and "Let It Be".

Often, Beatles songs would have "Lennon/McCartney"

Paul McCartney is a singer-songwriter, and former member of the legendary band, the Beatles. He is also a well-known performer and one of the most successful soloists who remains active in the music industry today.

See the fact file below for more information on Paul McCartney or alternatively, you can download our 35-page Paul McCartney worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Early Life

• James Paul McCartney, or more popularly known as Paul McCartney, was born on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England, at Walton Hospital, where his mother had qualified as a maternity nurse.
• Paul was the eldest child of Mary Patricia and James McCartney.
• He has a younger brother named Peter Michael and a step-sister, Ruth.
• His father, a cotton merchant, a trumpet player, and a pianist, encouraged Paul to study music, but Paul preferred to learn to play instruments by ear.
• From 1947–1949, he attended Stockton Wood Road Primary School and then transferred to Joseph Williams Junior School. 
• He entered the Liverpool Institute grammar school in 1953 as he was one of only three of 90 students who passed the 11-Plus exam. 
• After a year, he met and became good friends with his schoolmate George Harrison who later became his bandmate.
• Paul’s mother died when he was just 14 due to a complication after surgery for breast cancer.
• Paul had auditioned for the Liverpool Cathedral choir but was not accepted.
• However, he was able to join the St. Barnabas’ Church choir.
• When rock and ro

1942-present

Latest News: Paul McCartney Wins Grammy for “Now and Then”

The Beatles did not win the coveted Record of the Year award at the 2025 Grammys, but Paul McCartney and the rest of the Fab Four did add an eighth award to the band’s storied legacy.

The group’s 2023 single “Now and Then,” which used AI technology to isolate the late John Lennon’s voice from a 1978 home demo, won for Best Rock Performance. McCartney, 82, provided new vocals for the track, which was the final song written by all four band members—including Ringo Starr and the late George Harrison.

“Now and Then” is the first AI-assisted song to receive a Grammy nomination. Despite its unique composition, the track complies with Recording Academy rules established in 2023 stating the human authorship component “must be meaningful” for any work to be considered for a Grammy.

More from the Ceremony

Who Is Paul McCartney?

Paul McCartney’s work as a singer/songwriter with the Beatles in the 1960s helped transform popular music into a creative, highly commercial art form, with an uncanny ability to blend the two. He is also one of the most popular solo performers of all time, in terms of both sales of his recordings and attendance at his concerts.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: James Paul McCartney
BORN: June 18, 1942
BIRTHPLACE: Liverpool, England
SPOUSES: Linda McCartney (1969-1998), Heather Mills (2002-2008), and Nancy Shevell (2011-present)
CHILDREN: Heather, Mary, Stella, James, Beatrice
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Gemini

Young Paul McCartney

James Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England, to Mary and James McCartney. His mother was a maternity nurse, and his father a cotton salesman and jazz pianist with a local band. The young McCartney was raised in a traditional working-class family, much the same as his future fellow Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Tragically, when McCartney was only 14 years old, his mother died of complications after a mas