Paul McCartney's Unfortunate Consequences and Truths as a Beatle
Was Paul McCartney, as a member of the legendary band The Beatles, ever unfortunate enough to make mistakes? The answer is nuanced and varies from perspective. Let's delve into two instances where his actions had profound and perhaps unintended consequences.
The Bass Handover and Beyond
When Stu Sutcliffe left the band, Paul McCartney took over the role of bassist. The transition was a practical necessity rather than a choice born out of a moment of truth. He has mentioned in interviews that Stu was a good bass player, which was a kind sentiment during a pivotal time.
However, Paul was known for his work ethic and perfectionism. As a perfectionist, it was almost inevitable that he would be hypercritical of Stu's playing. Over time, as Paul became better at bass and began to exceed Stu's skill level, any positive remarks about his predecessor became fewer and farther between. This shift did not occur without some resentment.
There's also the story of the George Martin influence. Paul McCartney grew to seek more control over the band's direction, much like George Martin did with the musicians he guided. John Lennon once commented that Paul's work on his songs was more experimental compared to his own. This suggests that Paul wanted a higher level of control over Lennon's contributions, perhaps even nearing the control that Lennon once had over McCartney's songs.
The 'Badfinger' Experiment
In 1969, Paul McCartney took a interesting leap of faith with the band Badfinger, a move quite similar to his role in the Beatles. He gifted them with a song, 'Come And Get It', and insisted on a particular approach to recording and performing the track. The result was something that could have been a great Beatles song but instead carried a hint of the Wings sound, indicating a distinct influence from McCartney's perfectionism.
It's remarkable to note that McCartney's perfectionism led to brilliant outcomes but also to unfortunate consequences. Had the other Beatles been more satisfied with their contributions, the songs that emerged might have been of high quality, yet everyone would have had a more positive experience contributing to the band's legacy.
A Skeptical Look at Band Contracts and Alliances
Paul McCartney faced a more challenging situation when three of the Beatles (John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr) were looking to sign contracts with Allen Klein. However, Paul did not wish to partake in this move.
Financially, Paul was right in opposing Klein's deal—the others later concurred. Yet, from a band unity standpoint, aligning with Klein might have made more sense. If all four of them had been under Klein's management, the financial strain during tough times would have been shared, perhaps lessening any ill feelings and maintaining band harmony.
Lessons and Perspectives
When viewed from the broader perspective, it's clear that these events were more unfortunate consequences than outright mistakes. They represent the complex and often unpredictable nature of a successful and influential band. McCartney's perfectionism and desire for control brought about both brilliant achievements and divisiveness within the group.
The stories of Paul McCartney's actions during his time with The Beatles offer a fascinating look at the balance between personal growth, band unity, and creative control. Whether these actions were mistakes or consequences is a matter of perspective, but there's little doubt that they shaped the band's legacy in profound ways.