Paul McCartney talks about himself, a life in words and music

(by Lorenzo Amuso) (ANSA) - LONDON, 06 NOV - A musical self-portrait, where notes intersect with a river of memories, emotions, anecdotes, encounters: more than an autobiography, 'Lyrics: 1956 to thePresent' - the double volume signed by Sir Paul McCartney on the threshold of his 80th birthday, and presented in the last few hours in London - it is the deconstructed story of a life. The exceptional life of the legendary former Beatles frontman filtered through the prism of 154 his songs.

    A roundup of timeless hits and lesser-known pieces (even some unpublished), accompanied by comments in the margins of 'Macca' himself: not only to explain the genesis of masterpieces such as Hey Jude or A Hard Day's Night, but also to share key moments in the journey of a whole existence.

   From the first meeting with John Lennon, who aroused him awe, to the premature death of his beloved mother Mary; from the depression following the dissolution of the Fab Four; to boundless love for children: omnipresent in the book. An intimate and delicate confession also emerged during the public meeting held at the Southbank Center in London, and to which ANSA was invited as an Italian media, in front of an audience of 2700 fans, more or less young. Match streamed worldwide.

    Still active and on the breccia at 79 (he will turn 80 next June 18) Sir Paul from Liverpool wanted to open up to the public through something truly personal, his music.

   Authentic thread of an autobiography written in 4 hands with the poet Paul Muldoon, and enriched with handwritten images, letters, photographs taken from the family archive.

    McCartney's almanac, in strictly alphabetical (and not chronological) order, traces in parallel almost 7 decades of life and career, from the planetary successes of the Beatles to the death of his first wife Linda in 1998, from the experience with the Wings to the friendship with Lennon, until the last years as a soloist.

"With John we grew up together and immediately we had an incredible mutual trust. It was like climbing the stairs always shoulder to shoulder, I loved him for the soul".

   (HANDLE).