McCartney: The Sad-Eyed Beatle

In general, Paul McCartney is the most beloved Beatle. Sure, people idolize and deify John Lennon, but Macca is the “lovable lad from Liverpool” who continues to win hearts in the twenty-first century. In spire to his charm, one can’t help but wonder what lies behind those deeply sad eyes.

Although it was Paul’s father, Jim, who encouraged his musical talents, the true influence in Paul’s life seemed to be his mother, Mary. As the higher earning parent during a time when women weren’t “supposed” to be the breadwinners, it’s likely that Paul, sensitive lad that he is, was deeply affected by this.

In the fateful year of 1957, Paul encountered John playing with his band, The Quarrymen. The two became ostensibly joined together for the next thirteen years. Their quarrels and bickerings were boyish folly in the beginning, though eventually they would grow into full-fledged legal battles. And perhaps the loss of his best friend is another aspect of what led to Paul’s sad-eyed look.

As the 70s came and went, Paul started another band (Wings) and focused on his family life with Linda Eastman, who would have four children by the decade’s end. Although the two seemed to share one of those rare storybook marriages, it came to a tragic conclusion when Linda died of breast cancer in 1998. This, too, must have surely contributed to those melancholic peepers. That, and feeling compelled to date Heather Mills.