Paul McCartney, at 81 years old, recently shared a pivotal early moment in his musical career during an episode of his podcast, “Paul McCartney: A Life in Lyrics.” The rock legend disclosed how a disastrous solo during a gig at Liverpool’s Conservative Club permanently shifted his role within the Beatles, moving him away from the lead guitar to become one of the most iconic bass players in rock history.
In the podcast, McCartney reminisced about his initial competence on the guitar at home, noting that even John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi Smith acknowledged his talent over John’s. He also shared a humorous insight into Lennon’s early musical skills, revealing that Lennon initially played “banjo chords” taught by his mother, prompting McCartney to teach him proper guitar chords.
The crucial moment came during a performance where McCartney, then the lead guitarist, froze during a solo, an experience that left him deeply embarrassed and convinced that the lead guitarist’s role was not his destiny. This event, likely occurring around 1957, led McCartney to focus on playing bass, setting the stage for the legendary lineup of the Beatles, with Lennon on rhythm guitar, George Harrison as lead guitarist, and Ringo Starr on drums.
The story is part of McCartney’s 12-episode series which delves into various songs in his extensive catalog, a collaboration with poet Paul Muldoon to further explore his lyrical journey from 1956 to the present.
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