Paul McCartney Can Act Happy to See Anyone
After nearly 50 years as one of the most beloved figures in pop music, Paul McCartney has gotten very good at reacting to people being really happy to see him. At last night’s Grammys, he was an unofficial guest of honor, sitting in the front seat with fellow former Beatle Ringo Starr, winning a Grammy, playing a number — and indulging every starstruck celebrity who wanted to come up to him and gush and have their picture taken. And at age 71, McCartney would be well within his rights to grumble or half-ass it, and yet he gives it his all every time. He points with glee at the approaching star! He puts his hand on his chin and listens intently to their theories on popular music as if it isn’t something he either thought of himself or has already heard 30 times! He hugs! He selfies! Whether he was being sucked up to by Pharrell, Steven Tyler, Hunter Hayes, or Julia Roberts, he always managed to seem happy to be there. Here are his best backstage moments.
Who is more important to Pharrell than Pharrell's hat? Paul McCartney, duh.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur
"Look who it is! It's this guy!"
"Hi, I'm Tyrese."
Photo: Larry Busacca/2014 WireImage
"You wrote 'Rainbow Connection,' mate, so you've earned this selfie."
Photo: Christopher Polk/2014 Getty Images
Paul is so gracious that if Jamie Foxx and his daughter made leering comments about how Paul didn't even know what a selfie was, he would still just l...
Paul is so gracious that if Jamie Foxx and his daughter made leering comments about how Paul didn't even know what a selfie was, he would still just laugh and pose.
Photo: Lester Cohen/2014 Lester Cohen
Steven Tyler and Paul McCartney actually share a two-bedroom in Malibu, and this is how they greet each other every morning.
Photo: Larry Busacca/Wir...Steven Tyler and Paul McCartney actually share a two-bedroom in Malibu, and this is how they greet each other every morning.
Photo: Larry Busacca/WireImage
Niles & smiles.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur
"So the secret to everlasting optimism and success is seitan stir-fried with garbanzo beans, ginger, garlic, and gold leaf." "Yep, I ca...
"So the secret to everlasting optimism and success is seitan stir-fried with garbanzo beans, ginger, garlic, and gold leaf." "Yep, I call it 4G seitan."
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur
"You know what my favorite Beatles song is? 'Why Don't We Do It in the Road?'" "Interesting choice. My favorite song of yours is ...
"You know what my favorite Beatles song is? 'Why Don't We Do It in the Road?'" "Interesting choice. My favorite song of yours is 'Firework.' Oh, wait. I see what you were doing there ... I mean my favorite song is ... is ... I don't know any other of your songs."
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur
"Wait, is Meryl here?"
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur
"Let me give you some advice I learned when working on Sgt. Pepper's: Wear a suit to these things. Save your stage outfits for when you're perfor...
"Let me give you some advice I learned when working on Sgt. Pepper's: Wear a suit to these things. Save your stage outfits for when you're performing, lovey." "Stage outfit? These are my pajamas."
Photo: Christopher Polk/2014 Getty Images
"Oh, I was in a little rock-and-roll band called the Beatles, sonny." "Who are the Beatles? What's rock and roll? What's a band?&q...
"Oh, I was in a little rock-and-roll band called the Beatles, sonny." "Who are the Beatles? What's rock and roll? What's a band?"
Photo: Christopher Polk/2014 Getty Images
"Oh, Bruno Mars, you're out of this world! And they said Ringo was the funny one. That said, I only respect you enough to take a 'sitter' with yo...
"Oh, Bruno Mars, you're out of this world! And they said Ringo was the funny one. That said, I only respect you enough to take a 'sitter' with you, not a 'stander.' Sorry, mate!"
Photo: Kevin Mazur/2014 Kevin Mazur![Paul: "Yok-Oh No. It's you!" Yoko: "No, it's not." [Yoko waves her hand, doing the Jedi mind trick.] Paul: "No, it's not. You are a nice lady who did not break up my band ... "](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/034/2b8/c95d04ddf1b21e646387ad19bfdfbc679a-27-paul-mccartney-grammys-yoko-ono.2x.rdeep-vertical.w300.jpg)
![Paul: "Yok-Oh No. It's you!" Yoko: "No, it's not." [Yoko waves her hand, doing the Jedi mind trick.] Paul: "No, it's not. You are a nice lady who did not break up my band ... "](https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/034/2b8/c95d04ddf1b21e646387ad19bfdfbc679a-27-paul-mccartney-grammys-yoko-ono.2x.rhorizontal.w807.jpg)
Paul: "Yok-Oh No. It's you!" Yoko: "No, it's not." [Yoko waves her hand, doing the Jedi mind trick.] Paul: "No, it's not. You...
Paul: "Yok-Oh No. It's you!" Yoko: "No, it's not." [Yoko waves her hand, doing the Jedi mind trick.] Paul: "No, it's not. You are a nice lady who did not break up my band ... "
Photo: Larry Busacca/2014 WireImage