Paul McCartney...greatest pop artist ever?

[fartamis]

Yeah, but don't forget Lennon. The two greatest songwriters of all time.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by TBman

The Beatles inspired me to learn guitar, I love Paul and all the tunes he wrote, but....

Music isn't a contest.

This sums up my sentiments rather precisely. During the first third of the Beatles’ recording career they were extremely fortunate to have John Lennon dominating their songwriting output because Paul, his one or two brilliant songs per album aside during this early period, didn’t really come into his own until later in the band’s existence.

So, yes, Paul is peerless in terms of his importance to popular music over the past sixty years. But even he had to start somewhere.

And it’s not a contest.....


Wade Hampton Miller

[lowrider]

Around the end of the '70s, I was in my favorite 5 beers for a buck bar; D'jais in Belmar NJ on a Saturday afternoon. Now this was in the days of 18 year old drinking so I can't be sure how old the sweet young bikini topped girl I was talking to actually was. Paul and Wings came on the stereo and I asked her if she liked them. She said ''Sure, but did you know he was in another band before Wings''. She didn't know their name but that they were pretty good. I figured we had reached a generation gap here and I'd better go looking for someone a little older to waste my time with!

[ataylor]

In terms of notoriety, influence, longevity, ability, and a back catalog of hits, I'm not sure I can hold anyone else up to Paul McCartney.

I took my dad to see him in concert a couple years ago. It was fantastic. Sure, Paul's past his prime, but he was having a blast and can still rip it on bass, guitar, and piano, and his vocals are still great all things considered. Afterwards, my dad and I were talking about how he could have played an entirely different set list and it would have still been full of more hits than most famous pop/rock artists could ever dream of.

[ALBD]

If we are limiting this to rock and ignoring bubble gum pop (you know, Taylor Swift and the like), Tom Petty is my popular music king. Sir Paul had a lot more help from his friends.

And yes, totally a matter of opinion.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Around the end of the '70s, I was in my favorite 5 beers for a buck bar; D'jais in Belmar NJ on a Saturday afternoon. Now this was in the days of 18 year old drinking so I can't be sure how old the sweet young bikini topped girl I was talking to actually was. Paul and Wings came on the stereo and I asked her if she liked them. She said ''Sure, but did you know he was in another band before Wings''. She didn't know their name but that they were pretty good. I figured we had reached a generation gap here and I'd better go looking for someone a little older to waste my time with!

That's funny! and D'jais is still going strong!

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by lowrider

Around the end of the '70s, I was in my favorite 5 beers for a buck bar; D'jais in Belmar NJ on a Saturday afternoon. Now this was in the days of 18 year old drinking so I can't be sure how old the sweet young bikini topped girl I was talking to actually was. Paul and Wings came on the stereo and I asked her if she liked them. She said ''Sure, but did you know he was in another band before Wings''. She didn't know their name but that they were pretty good. I figured we had reached a generation gap here and I'd better go looking for someone a little older to waste my time with!

Billy Crystal used tell that joke.

[Skip Ellis]

I'll just vote "I don't know" because pop music is a non entity to me. Not really familiar with the artists or their music. I can honestly say that in 60 years of playing, I could probably count the number of times I've played a Beatles song on one hand. I rarely listen to or play anything newer than 1965. Nothing against it but I'm too old to appreciate it.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

I'll just vote "I don't know" because pop music is a non entity to me. Not really familiar with the artists or their music. I can honestly say that in 60 years of playing, I could probably count the number of times I've played a Beatles song on one hand. I rarely listen to or play anything newer than 1965. Nothing against it but I'm too old to appreciate it.

How old are you? The Beatles became famous in the 60s. And about five or six of their albums came out before 1965.

[raysachs]

First of all, I just don't believe in a "best ever" or GOAT in any sport or entertainment category. But if I was to pick one, it wouldn't be Paul. I mean, he's objectively among the pantheon of greats, but there are a number of artists who's work I enjoy far more - his co-writer was one of them. So it's basically a subjective task, and my subjectives say no, he's not. But I bet he doesn't care what any of us think - I'm sure he's happy with his career and life, for the most part, and is happily riding off into the sunset in his dotage and doing it with a good measure of class.

-Ray

[lowrider]

Originally Posted by Rosewood99

Billy Crystal used tell that joke.

If he didn't tell the part about 5 beers for a buck, then he wasn't there!

[catdaddy]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I’m 64 and saw the Sullivan show. There.

Been listening to a lot of Beatles recently and am convinced that Sir Paul is the greatest pop artist of all time. Why?

• Look at the songs! NO one has written more iconic tunes. No one.
• Magic melodies and lasting lyrics
• Superb musicianship
• A voice that does it all...from sweet ballads (Michelle) to raucous rock (Helter Skelter)
• Composes serious music as well
• Multi-faceted instrumentalist-bass, guitar, piano
• Philanthropist
• Longevity

OK...prove me wrong.

Given the criteria you're not wrong.

[dougdnh]

It's a question that of course has no real answer. I do have to agree that Paul would have to be right up there - few others were great performers AND songwriters. Others that come to mind are James Taylor, Brian Wilson and Carole King. Of course there were greats before the rock era - Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Fats Waller to name a few. How about Antonio Carlos Jobim - amazing song writer, decent musician and performer.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by ataylor

In terms of notoriety, influence, longevity, ability, and a back catalog of hits, I'm not sure I can hold anyone else up to Paul McCartney.

I took my dad to see him in concert a couple years ago. It was fantastic. Sure, Paul's past his prime, but he was having a blast and can still rip it on bass, guitar, and piano, and his vocals are still great all things considered. Afterwards, my dad and I were talking about how he could have played an entirely different set list and it would have still been full of more hits than most famous pop/rock artists could ever dream of.

I think one could make a very good case for this, when we embrace him as both a brilliant songwriter AND an amazing live performer, plus the longevity. Pretty hard to top.

scott memmer

[bufflehead]

Originally Posted by Rosewood99

I think it’s pointless to say who’s the best. Why can’t we just agree Paul is on the mount Rushmore a pop artist.

Only if John and George are up there with him.

No need to add Ringo.