Paul McCartney's Son James Looks Like His Spitting Image At Gallery Exhibition

Jun 28, 2023 by apost team

Sir Paul McCartney is one of the UK's national treasures, earning his name with one of the most popular bands of all time, The Beatles, and never slowing down, even in his successful solo career. 

Paul was one of the founding members of The Beatles, who are often considered the most influential band in pop music history ever. That's no small feat. Despite only being active for ten years together, the "Fab Four" from Liverpool, England, left an indelible mark on music history and pop culture. While his Beatles days might be behind him, Paul does make it a point to carry on the legacy of the beloved band, as well as its late members, John Lennon and George Harrison. The songwriting partnership between Paul and Lennon was iconic and is still considered to be one of the most fruitful musical pairings in history. The Beatles is the best-selling music act of all time, having sold 183 million units in the US and an estimated 600 million units globally.

After the Beatles dissolved, Paul launched a solo music career and formed other bands, including with his late wife, Linda McCartney. They had four children, one of whom is daughter Stella McCartney, a well-known fashion designer. Another daughter, Mary McCartney, followed in her mother's footsteps and became a photographer. Son James McCartney came in 1977 while Paul also adopted Linda's daughter, Heather McCartney, from a previous relationship. However, Linda tragically passed from cancer in 1998. Before her passing, the family of six shared many beautiful moments together. This helped form the beautiful bond Paul now shares with his children, who support him in his endeavors to this day.

Linda first met Paul while on assignment as a photographer at a club in 1967. After a whirlwind romance, the pair were married on March 12, 1969. They had four children together – Mary in 1969, Stella in 1971 and James in 1977. Paul also adopted Linda's daughter from a previous marriage, Heather. 

After Linda's passing, Paul married model and activist Heather Mills in 2002. They welcomed one daughter, Beatrice McCartney, in 2003 before their marriage came to a tumultuous end in 2008. Three years later, Paul married American businesswoman Nancy Shevell and the two have been enjoying wedded bliss ever since.

Of Paul's five children, James was the only one to follow in his father's footsteps after growing up in a household surrounded by music and creative energy. The musical DNA that coursed through James' veins was undeniable, and it was only a matter of time before he found his own voice.

Drawing inspiration from his father's multifaceted career as well as other iconic musicians, James developed a distinct style that blended elements of rock, folk, and pop into a sound uniquely his own. Stepping out of his father's shadow, James released his debut EP, "Available Light," in 2010, which showcased his songwriting prowess and vocal abilities. 

In subsequent years, James continued to refine his skills and expand his musical horizons. He released his first full-length album, "Me," in 2013 and followed this up with "The Blackberry Train" in 2016, captivating listeners with his introspective lyrics and infectious hooks. The album demonstrated James' willingness to experiment with different genres, incorporating elements of blues and psychedelic rock while still retaining his signature sound. Tracks like "Too Hard" and "Unicorn" showcased his versatility as a musician and highlighted his ability to craft memorable melodies.

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Despite his musicality, James lives a relatively quiet life compared to his high-profile sisters, Stella and Mary. However, every once in a while, James pops up to join his family at public events, including on June 26, 2023. That evening, the National Portrait Gallery in London held a private viewing of behind-the-scenes photographs of The Beatles taken by Paul in the 1960s. Paul rediscovered the photographs in 2020 after believing they had been lost. 

According to the gallery, the Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64 Eyes of the Storm exhibition focuses "on portraits captured by McCartney, using his own camera, between December 1963 and February 1964 – a time when The Beatles were catapulted from a British sensation to a global phenomenon." 

At the event, James looked every inch his father's son in a crisp white shirt and black suit. He posed for photos with his sisters, as well as Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and his wife, Sally Humphreys. Stella wore an oversized black blazer, while Mary opted for a khaki jumpsuit. 

As James took in all the photos from the heyday of The Beatles, he no doubt was reminded of his own ambitions. He once said he harbored goals to become as big as his father's band, but reality soon set in. He once told Daily Mail:

"It's hard to live up to The Beatles… Even Dad found it hard living up to The Beatles. I started out playing under an alias because I wanted to start quietly. I had to serve my time as a musician and wait until I had a good body of songs and for a time when both myself and my music were ready. I don't want to sit around. I want to earn my own living."

Do you think James McCartney has a strong resemblance to his famous father, Paul? If so, let us know, then pass this along to all the other Beatles fans you know!