At 82, Paul McCartney still has something under his belt. He proved it during his last world tour, at the end of 2024, including two dates in France, at Paris La Défense Arena (Nanterre). During an exceptional two and a half hour show, he revisited his greatest classics. Because Macca, for those close to him, remains undoubtedly one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. Broadcast this Friday January 10, 2025 at 10:30 p.m. and available on Arte.tvthe documentary Paul McCartney, a Beatles legend paints a certainly classic, but nonetheless fascinating, portrait of the iconic bassist and co-composer of the Beatles.
Paul McCartney: birth of a prodigy
Born June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, James Paul McCartney grew up in a working-class environment. In October 1956, her mother died of breast cancer. A trauma for the 14-year-old who takes refuge in music to overcome his grief. A year later, Paul met a certain John Lennon, leader of the group the Quarrymen, and diplomatically imposed his artistic vision. He convinces him in particular to join his friend George Harrison, we learn. The Beatles are taking shape! Ringo Starr did not join them until 1962.
Success within the Beatles
Successes quickly followed for the quartet. In 1964, the Fab Four performed at the Olympia in Paris. In the first part: a very young Sylvie Vartan! “Paul was the darling of all the girls, he had a lot of humor. We met backstage then we went to dance“, she remembers in the documentary. Especially since Macca dazzled with her talent and composed some of the group’s first big hits, including Yesterdaywhich he claims to have imagined in his sleep! In 1966, the Beatles stopped touring to reinvent themselves musically. To write his lyrics, Paul was inspired by Bob Dylan.
McCartney, un committed artist
“With the Beatles, we wanted to have power to do good“, says McCartney in an archive interview. Indeed, the latter never feared getting involved. As early as 1964 in Jacksonville (United States), he and his friends refused to play in front of a segregated audience. Shot down by The Beatles’ separation in 1970, Paul moved to Scotland with his wife Linda, and for their love of animals, they became vegetarians. singer multiplies the fights In 2018, he demonstrated against firearms in New York, in memory of his friend John Lennon, assassinated in 1980, whose memory he continues to honor on stage.
