Paul McCartney turns 80 – here’s how Liverpool is celebrating

Paul McCartney turns 80 this weekend ahead of his headline set at Glastonbury

Sir Paul McCartney is celebrating his 80^th birthday on Saturday June 18 after an incredible 65 years in the music business.

Recognised around the world as one of the greatest musicians of all time, Macca was just 15 when he first met John Lennon and joined The Quarrymen at that legendary St Peter’s church fete gig in Woolton.

He went on to change the face of pop culture with The Beatles, winning millions of fans and influencing countless other artists over generations – as well as banking a huge personal fortune estimated this year to be $1.2billion!

He’s also racked up an impressive trophy cabinet of awards including eight BRIT Awards, 18 Grammys, two American Music Awards, one MTV Video Music Award, one MTV Europe Music Award, one Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, one Classical Brit Award and two Q Awards.

Macca was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – once as a Beatle in 1988 and again as a solo performer in 1999 – and in between those two honours he was knighted by the Queen, becoming Sir Paul in 1997 for his services to music.

Now reaching the big 8-0, with no sign of slowing down – he’s headlining the main stage at Glastonbury on Saturday June 25 – he’s no stranger to Liverpool, regularly popping back to LIPA for Q&As with students and graduation ceremonies.

So, while he’ll no doubt be celebrating the day with his family, Liverpool is celebrating too.

Here are some of the events happening in the city to mark Macca’s 80^th birthday …

Live music is back at Forthlin Road

Sir Paul’s childhood home, where the family lived until 1963 and he and Lennon wrote some of The Beatles’ early songs, is now owned by the National Trust. It’s usually only open to visitors by pre-booking, but in honour of Macca’s 80^th the National Trust launched a competition, the Forthlin Sessions, to find new artists to perform at the house.

  Four unsigned acts – singer-songwriter Serena Ittoo from Enfield, folk duo HUMM from Bath, singer-songwriter Emily Theodora from Richmond and singer-songwriter Dullan from Wrexham – will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write a song inspired by the Beatles’ legacy, and perform it in the McCartneys’ front room on June 17.

The performance will then be broadcast free on YouTube and the National Trust’s social media on June 18.

Find out more here.

A unique Macca-inspired art installation and digital birthday card at The Beatles Story

The Beatles Story at Royal Albert Dock has teamed up with charity Nordoff Robbins and instrument manufacturer Höfner to celebrate Sir Paul’s 80th birthday with the launch of a dedicated donation station and unique artwork.

It’s created a dedicated area within its Fab4 Café for visitors to send their personal messages and digitally sign Paul’s birthday card, along with the chance to donate to one of his favourite charities, Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.

The award-winning attraction will also be commemorating the big day by unveiling an Insta-worthy art installation at its entrance in partnership with iconic guitar manufacturer Höfner.
Find out more here.

Party for Paul at the Cavern Club Live Lounge

No Beatles celebration would really be complete without a gig at the birthplace of The Fab Four, The Cavern in Mathew Street, and on Sunday June 19 from 8pm the iconic venue will be hosting what it’s describing as ‘the ultimate birthday party for Sir Paul’.

Featuring Tony Coburn’s Pure McCartney – praised as the closest vocals you’ll get to the man himself – the night will be devoted to songs from McCartney’s entire back catalogue, including Beatles, Wings and solo tracks.

Not only that, but it’ll all be happening in the Cavern Live Lounge, the same place where Macca himself played in 1999 and 2018.

Find out more here.

Sir Paul’s Afternoon Tea at Hard Day’s Night Hotel

This isn’t just any old afternoon tea, it’s three tiers of goodies dedicated totally to Macca, with some of his favourite treats (including caramelised honey scones which sound amazing!) and some inspired by Beatles songs.

Dishes include ham and Mean Mr Mustard sandwiches and Sir Paul’s much-loved chip butties given a posh twist – they’re hand-cut chips on a mini brioche bun.

It’s a one-day only menu, on this Saturday, and served in the hotel’s Blakes restaurant.

Find out more here.

Macca’s 80^th party at Camp and Furnace

Camp and Furnace in the Baltic is throwing a Beatle birthday bash on Saturday from 8pm to 1am.

Classic Double band will be performing live with a set including songs from the Wings Over America album, plus Fab Four classics penned by McCartney.

There’ll also be lots of music video moments and Macca themed cocktails – Apple martini anyone?

Find out more here.

A new exhibit at the Liverpool Beatles Museum

Fans can relive one of Macca’s most memorable city gigs – when he played at the Cavern back in 1999 – thanks to a new exhibit at Liverpool Beatles Museum on Mathew Street.

To celebrate Sir Paul’s 80^th, the museum has added an extra piece to its collection of more than 1,000 Beatles-related items: the set list from the gig together with a photo of Macca performing that night, and the story behind it.

Find out more here.