McCartney: The Definitive Biography

by Chris Salewicz

Based on extensive research and primary source information, this biography provides a new perspective on the emergence of the Beatles, on Paul's relationship with John Lennon, and on the mixed results of Paul's solo career

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction

263 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1986

About the author

Chris Salewicz's writing on music and popular culture has appeared in publications around the globe. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer."

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a bunch of Beatles-related books when I was in high school (mid-to-late 70s) and, as an adult, a highly biased group-biography, which was published the year after John Lennon’s murder. The latter’s author later tried to make amends, but whether he succeeded is debatable. Last month I heard an interview with the author of this biography and I bought a second-hand copy, as it’s no longer in print, to read a different viewpoint from basically the same time period. I’m no historiographer, of course, but I know it’s important to recognize when something was written.

Because this book was published in 1986, I’d call it “definitive” through 1970 only. The coda and postscript take us through 1985 but, as with most histories, time is needed to assess and evaluate the impact of events. When an author in the future decides to write a biography of Paul McCartney, who’s still working on his art at 78 years old, this will be an essential starting point. Its insights and quotes from those who were around during Paul’s formative- and Beatles-years are invaluable.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far from definitive - it was published when McCartney was only 43 - Salewicz's biography remains valuable for the interviews and insight offered about McCartney's upbringing, relationships with family, peers, and soulmates, and his increasing work ethic (workaholic is the descriptor numerous times in the book) from the 1950s to 1980s.