UPDATE: Music legend Paul McCartney, 83, has broken his silence on a longstanding urban legend claiming he died decades ago. The Beatles icon, who is very much alive, is set to perform at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo next week on November 14, 2023, as part of his highly anticipated “Got Back” tour.
The rumor, often referred to as the “Paul is dead” conspiracy, suggests McCartney died in a car crash in 1966 and was replaced by a lookalike. This theory gained traction in 1969 when an American DJ led “millions of fans around the world [to believe] I was actually gone,” McCartney revealed. Fans claimed they could hear the words “Paul is dead man, miss him, miss him” by playing the Beatles’ “White Album” backwards.
In his new book, Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, McCartney reflects on how these rumors affected him during a tumultuous time in his life. He candidly admits, “In so many ways, I was dead,” referencing the emotional toll of the Beatles’ breakup and his struggles with legal disputes.
McCartney’s legal battle in 1970 against bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to dissolve their partnership was pivotal. He described suing the band as “the only way for me to save The Beatles and Apple.” A judge eventually ruled in McCartney’s favor, allowing him to regain control over the band’s legacy.
Despite the chaos, McCartney’s career flourished post-Beatles with his band Wings, featuring his late wife Linda McCartney and Denny Laine. The book chronicles his evolution as an artist after the Beatles, highlighting his immense influence on music history.
The upcoming concert in Buffalo is sold out, but tickets are still available through resale platforms like Vivid Seats (starting at $320), StubHub (starting at $353), and Seat Geek (starting at $344). McCartney, considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time, boasts an impressive catalog of hits including classics like “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Let It Be,” and “Hey Jude.”
As McCartney prepares for the performance, fans around the globe are eager to witness the legend who has defied the rumors and remains a beloved figure in music. This revelation adds another layer to McCartney’s already storied legacy and has fans reflecting on the enduring impact of the Beatles’ music.
Stay tuned for more updates on McCartney’s performance and insights from his new book that reveal the man behind the myth.
