At 83, Paul McCartney Finally Names the Bands He Could Watch Forever

Paul McCartney's Enduring Admiration

• 💡 Despite his legendary status, Paul McCartney openly admires artists who influenced, challenged, and impressed him throughout his career.
• 🎯 His admiration is often specific, focusing on songwriting structure, vocal harmony, or live performance precision.
• 🧠 McCartney's listening habits always extended beyond The Beatles, shaping his musical perspective.

Foundational Rock & Roll Influences

• 🎸 Chuck Berry was considered a "natural-born poet" by McCartney, whose songs were closely studied and covered by The Beatles, with his storytelling leaving a significant mark.
• 🎹 Fats Domino's New Orleans rhythm and blues, particularly his piano style and warm voice, heavily influenced The Beatles, with McCartney even mimicking his style for "Lady Madonna."
• 🔥 Elvis Presley was the "spark" that changed everything for McCartney, making music feel dangerous and bigger than expectations, with Paul stating The Beatles might not have existed without him.
• 🎤 Little Richard's explosive vocals, piano attack, and fearless performance style were foundational, with McCartney admitting he owed much of what he does to Richard and studying his stage presence.

Melody, Harmony, and Craft

• 🌊 The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" profoundly impacted McCartney, who called "God Only Knows" one of the greatest songs ever written, inspiring The Beatles and fostering a friendly rivalry.
• 🎶 Smokey Robinson was almost like "God to The Beatles" for his smooth vocals, emotional honesty, and perfect songwriting structure, with his work defining the Motown sound and influencing their tributes.

Lyrical Depth and Performance Power

• 📝 Bob Dylan shifted McCartney's perspective on lyrics, opening the door to deeper, more ambitious songwriting and inspiring The Beatles to evolve beyond simple love songs.
• 🎭 Roy Orbison's powerful, dramatic voice and still stage presence deeply impressed McCartney, creating a friendly competition during their tour and influencing early Beatles songwriting.
• 🕺 James Brown's stage energy, precision, and rhythm influenced McCartney's approach to basslines, showing how bass could move independently and inspiring his mental references in the studio.

Rockabilly Roots

• 🎸 Carl Perkins, the "king of rockabilly," was so crucial that McCartney stated if there were no Perkins, there would be no Beatles, with his simple structure and pure energy shaping their earliest recordings.