McCartney Times

Following this week’s announcement of an Australian tour – his first in almost 25 years – rock and roll legend Sir Paul McCartney sits down for an exclusive 60 Minutes interview with reporter Liz Hayes. And what a story he has to tell. McCartney has sold 700-million albums in his lifetime, and won endless awards – including 21 Grammys. In doing so he’s also proven to be an astute businessman – his worth is estimated to exceed a billion dollars.And of course, as he tells 60 Minutes, it all started with The Beatles.“The sum of the four of us made something special. We were elevated beyond ourselves. And so it made for some very special times.”Not only is McCartney celebrating his 75th birthday this year, but also the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band — a musical masterpiece many consider the greatest rock and roll album ever made.“It’s stood the test of time,” he tells Hayes. “When you listen to it now, I’m blown away. And I shouldn’t be.”recommends his candid one-on-one, McCartney also looks back on his fondest memories with The Beatles, and the pain that saw him refuse to play their songs for years.He opens up on the incredibly invasive media attention he has received during his career – and in particular the focus on his private life.McCartney has been married three times and has five children. For nearly 30 years the love of his life was Linda, who died from breast cancer in 1998. Several years later he married model Heather Mills but that relationship ended acrimoniously.Six years ago he married American businesswoman Nancy Shevell. McCartney’s is an incredible career, a lifetime of musical contribution that has been recognised not only by his legions of fans, but with a knighthood. He opens up on all the highs and lows this Sunday.“I do pinch myself. Regularly. And I kind of like the fact that I pinch myself, ‘cause I don’t want to accept it.”

Source: 60 Minutes Exclusive: A day in the life of Paul McCartney