Claim: The Beatles members were guitarist George Harrison, singer John Lennon, bassist Paul McCartney, and drummer Ringo Starr.

Sir James Paul McCartney , -LRB- born 18 June 1942 -RRB- is an English singer-songwriter , multi-instrumentalist , and composer . He gained worldwide fame as the bass guitarist and singer for the rock band the Beatles , widely considered the most popular and influential group in the history of pop music . His songwriting partnership with John Lennon is the most celebrated of the post-war era . After the band 's break-up , he pursued a solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife , Linda , and Denny Laine .   McCartney has been recognised as one of the most successful composers and performers of all time . More than 2,200 artists have covered his Beatles song `` Yesterday '' , making it one of the most covered songs in popular music history . Wings ' 1977 release `` Mull of Kintyre '' is one of the all-time best-selling singles in the UK . A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -LRB- as a member of the Beatles in 1988 , and as a solo artist in 1999 -RRB- , and a 21-time Grammy Award winner , McCartney has written , or co-written , 32 songs that have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 , and he has 25.5 million RIAA-certified units in the United States . McCartney , Lennon , Harrison and Starr all received The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire -LRB- MBE -RRB- in 1965 , and in 1997 , McCartney was knighted for services to music .   McCartney has released an extensive catalogue of songs as a solo artist and has composed classical and electronic music . He has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rights , seal hunting , land mines , vegetarianism , poverty , and music education . He has married three times and is the father of five children .