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As I watching Paul McCartney work out the words to the song “The Long And Winding Road,” this incredible wave of emotion just overtook myself and everyone else watching the new Beatles documentary Get Back. It was only a few minutes earlier that we witnessed Paul McCartney working on the writing of “Let It Be.” Just think about what we all have witnessed in the past few days. Just focusing in on those moments alone of watching Paul McCartney working on those songs, we were all brought into a world we could have never imagined being a part of. Two of the most famous Beatles songs of all time, let alone two of the most beautiful songs ever written all coming from that genius mind of Paul McCartney. A scene or two later we witness Paul McCartney teaching the other Beatles the song “Get Back,” as they all try to come up with lines for the song. Just simply overwhelming.
The Beatles documentary has changed the way so many of us now look back at the Beatles. Without a doubt, we have always felt that it was both Paul McCartney and John Lennon who were the leaders of The Beatles . Yet, from the documentary it is clear that the leader at least in that point of time was Paul McCartney. John Lennon has some incredible moments in the documentary film Get Back but it’s Paul McCartney that really shines for so many reasons.
Looking at the groups other songwriter we see that the age difference between George Harrison and the rest of The Beatles had never been more apparent than ever before. Because of his age, it seems his talents were overlooked by Paul and George. Yet he has some incredible moments too. His introduction of his new song “I Me Mine,” was one of them. Yet time and time again throughout the series we can’t take our eyes of Paul McCartney as his talents are just so overwhelming throughout the series.
If only we could go back further in time with The Beatles and watch the dynamics within the band on all the rest of their albums. It would be interesting to see if Paul McCartney’s dominice that shined so bright in the Get Back documentary resonated also on albums like Revolver, A Hard Day’s Night and every other Beatles album.
The question of who stands as the greatest musical artists of the modern pop music era has been discussed for years. Even before viewing the Get Back documentary we here at ClassicRockHistory.com have always argued that it was Paul McCartney who should hold that title. Just based on the music he composed during his time with the Beatles should grant him the title. That’s not taking anything away from John Lennon. Lennon and McCartney shared songwriting credits on all the Beatles songs for many reasons. If both artists never released a song on their own after the end of the Beatles than we would argue that they both should share the title of the greatest ever. However, we all know that the end of the Beatles defined the beginning of the solo careers of both Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Sadly Lennon’s solo career was cut way too short.
If John Lennon had not been murdered on that horrific December night in New York City forty one years ago, we may be having a different discussion right now. Who knows what John Lennon would have created as he grew older. Yet, we all know what Paul McCartney has done since The Beatles broke up. While having to endure some harsh and very unfair criticism from both fans and critics over his solo material, Paul McCartney has had hands down a spectacular solo career. Over a fifty year period since the Beatles dissolved, Paul McCartney has continued to release new material on a very consistent basis, for FIFTY YEARS! That’s after his incredible seven year run with the Beatles when his music along with John, George and Ringo changed the world in so many ways.
Paul McCartney released his first solo album in 1970 entitled McCartney. On the album were some songs that were intended for the Beatles but never were released on any of the Beatles albums. Yet there were songs like “Maybe I’m Amazed,” which would become a big hit many years later when it was released on Wings Over America. Still while many people blamed the album as one of the reasons the Beatles broke up (which we all know now is not true), the album defined the start of an amazing solo career.
So far and we make sure we utilize the phrase “so far,” because it’s Paul McCartneywe are talking about, so far Paul McCartney has released fifteen solo albums titled McCartney, Ram, McCartney II, Tug of War, Pipes of Peace, Press to Play, Flowers in the Dirt, Off the Ground, Flaming Pie, Driving Rain, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, Memory Almost Full, New, Egypt Station and McCartney III. With his band he called Wings which made up the majority of his 1970s solo albums he released seven records including WildLife, Red Rose Speedway, Band on the Run, Venus and Mars, Wings at the Speed of Sound, London Town and Back to the Egg. That’s twenty two solo albums of amazing pop music.
Think about some of the songs that he released as singles over the years from both is Wings albums and McCartney records. Songs like “My Love, Maybe I’m Amazed,Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey Junior’s Farm, Band On The Run, Jet, Listen To What The Man Said, Blackbird, Live And Let Die, Venus and Mars, Beware My Love, Mull of Kintyre, With A Little Luck, Ballroom Dancing, Tug Of War, Hope of Deliverance, Freedom,” and just so many more. Take all those singles and albums tracks from his solo career and them add up the over two hundred songs he wrote with the Beatles that have become standards in music and what do you have?……..The Greatest Musical Artist Of All Time!
It would be hard to choose someone else. We are talking pop music hers as of course we are well aware of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, And yes of course there is Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and many others who have brought this world great joy with their prolific music. Yet, if we had to pick one artist who has had more of an impact than any other musicals artist ever, we would still choose Paul McCartney. No question about it.
Why Paul McCartney Is The Greatest Musical Artist Of All Time article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
Totally agree 100%! Not included are his Classical Works, his work as The Fireman, Liverpool Sound Collage, work with Kanye, his Ballet etc.
Round up another 10 records for these and then add in his ability to play a wide variety of instruments = GOAT!!