Holds a record with 29 #1 singles on the American charts with The Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, and as a solo artist (including one duet with Stevie Wonder).
In 1957, his knowledge of song lyrics , most notably Eddie Cochran's 1956 recording of "Twenty Flight Rock" with its 12 bar blues format, as well as Paul's superior ability to play guitar (including being able to tune one) impressed John Lennon so much that he invited McCartney to join his band the Quarry Men, which later became The Beatles.
In 1971, he produced (but did not perform on) "Thrillington", an instrumental version of the album "Ram" he recorded with his wife Linda. The songs were presented in orchestral versions, and Paul's work as producer and director was pseudonymously credited to "Percy 'Thrills' Thrillington". The album was not well received by the critics, but is now a much sought-after collectable.
In 1998, his song "Blackbird" was covered by Marillion for their live album "Unplugged at the Walls".
In 2002 he changed the writing credits to many of the songs he made with The Beatles to "McCartney & Lennon", to a large public outrage. It is a common misconception, however that this was the first time he had done this. He made the same credit change on his 1976 live album "Wings Over America" to little or no public scrutiny, and to no public comment from John Lennon (who was still alive at the time). Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984) also listed the credit "Songs Composed by Paul McCartney" - including the Beatles songs performed in the movie.
In 2006, he donated $2 million to Adopt-a-Minefield.
In 2007, before completion of the film Across the Universe (2007), director Julie Taymor brought the post-production copy to a private screening with Paul McCartney, and he liked the film. Yoko Ono also approved the film.
In July 2001, shortly after their engagement was announced, his fiancée Heather Mills lost her $21,000 diamond and sapphire engagement ring, which was later found on a golf course.
In one of his first solo recordings following The Beatles' breakup in 1970, Paul played all the instruments and did all the vocal tracks on "Maybe I'm Amazed".
In September 25th, 2008 performed in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the first time, after more than 40 years after the ban of the Israeli government on the Beatles performing in Israel. The concert was titled "Friendship First".
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles January 20, 1988. Citing business differences, he did not attend the induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with his former bandmates George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 (as a solo artist).
Inducted with John Lennon into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987.
Is half of the techno duo The Fireman.
Made an honorary detective by the New York City Police Department for the benefit concert he gave for 9/11 victims, April 2002.
Married his third wife, American heiress Nancy Shevell, on what would have been lifelong friend and former Beatle John Lennon's 71st birthday (9 Oct. 2011).
McCartney was the only barefooted Beatle crossing the street on the sleeve of the "Abbey Road" album (1969), a fact that merited a test segment on the popular "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (1998) TV series.
Met George Harrison on a bus to school, and asked him to join the band that eventually became The Beatles.
Met his first wife Linda McCartney in a London nightclub called the Bag O'Nails.
Named "Man of the Year" at the GQ awards ceremony. (6 September 2006)