Out of the shadows: James McCartney is to follow in his father's footsteps by playing Liverpool's Cavern Club
For a virtual unknown, being granted the star spot on America’s hugely popular David Letterman Show to launch his debut single was a terrific coup. But though the young singer’s demeanour was a little stiff and shy, his talent shone out.
The powerful voice, the huge vocal range, the accomplished guitar work all commanded attention, as did something familiar about the round, boyish face and mournful, hooded eyes.
At the age of 34, Paul McCartney’s only son had finally, and a little reluctantly, stepped on to the public stage to claim his place as heir apparent to Sir Paul.
But if the eyes and the talent are unmistakable, that is where the resemblance ends. For while Sir Paul has spent a lifetime charming everyone he meets, his son has been withdrawn to the point of being a virtual recluse.
Until now. Suddenly McCartney Junior is everywhere — in the past month alone performing at the Sundance Film Festival, the Viper Room in Los Angeles, Rockwood Music Hall in New York and Asbury Park in New Jersey.
On each occasion, crowds were queuing round the block for tickets to watch a singer-songwriter with a non-existent track record and public profile (such are the colossal benefits of the McCartney name).
Though the music is highly accomplished, James’s delivery is deadpan, emphasising that while he may have high hopes for his debut single, Angel, he is clearly not your average aspiring rock star. The doleful gaze and legendary name may be unmistakable, but the reality is that James has spent his entire life running away from fame.
His older sisters have become fixtures in London society — Mary, 42, as a respected photographer and 40-year-old Stella as a leading fashion designer. His half-sister Heather, 49, is a successful potter.
But James, known as ‘the quiet one’ of the McCartney children, has remained in the shadows.
Painfully shy, for years he struggled to carve out a niche for himself, working as a sculptor and waiting tables at a small restaurant in Brighton.
No longer. To the astonishment of those who have known him since childhood, James has suddenly stepped into the spotlight.
After leaving Letterman’s New York studio, he flew straight to Los Angeles for the unveiling of Sir Paul’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From there, he jetted home to London, where he posed for photographers outside sister Stella’s gala London Fashion Week dinner.
All you need is talent: James with father Paul and mother Linda in 1981
Quite a departure for a young man who once declined to tell people his surname.
Next up is a tour of London, Liverpool and Dublin, where he is assured of packed houses.
‘This would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago,’ a long-standing friend of the McCartneys told me this week.
‘James has always been a unique kid. He’s what I’ve always called a “watcher”. He’s a lovely guy without a nasty bone in his body, but he prefers to be on the sidelines taking everything in. He’s always hated being the centre of attention.
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