(1942– )
an English musician and writer of songs who was a member of the Beatles . In the 1960s, together with John Lennon , he wrote and recorded some of the best-known pop songs of all time. When the Beatles split up in 1970, he formed a new group, Wings, whose successful records include Mull of Kintyre (1977).
Although remembered mainly for having been a member of the Beatles, McCartney is still very active as a musician and was chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. He has composed classical pieces, including Liverpool Oratorio (1991) and Standing Stone (1997), has established a college for the performing arts in Liverpool , and continues to make successful pop records. He was made a knight in 1997.