Paul McCartney may be known as one of the most iconic bassists in rock history, but he’s a musician above all else—a versatile artist who loves the guitar just as much as the bass. In fact, if things had gone his way early on, he might have been The Beatles’ lead guitarist. When the band’s original bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe, left, McCartney picked up the four-string reluctantly. As he once admitted in 2007, “Nobody wants to play bass, or nobody did in those days.” Despite his hesitance, McCartney grew into the role, crafting a distinctive style that would make him one of the world’s most admired bassists.
Still, McCartney’s passion for the guitar has never waned. Before he ever touched a bass, he dreamed of emulating his childhood hero, Eddie Cochran. Though he didn’t become The Beatles’ lead guitarist, he kept his love of the six-string alive, especially during his solo career, where he revisited his roots by playing every instrument on his McCartney albums. When it comes to naming his favorite guitarist of all time, McCartney is unequivocal: Jimi Hendrix.
McCartney’s first encounter with Hendrix was unforgettable. In 1967, just days after the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Hendrix performed a rendition of the album’s title track at London’s Saville Theatre, knowing McCartney and George Harrison were in the audience. For McCartney, it was a jaw-dropping experience.
Reflecting on that magical night, he said, “Brian Epstein used to rent it when it was usually dark on Sunday. Jimi opened, the curtains flew back, and he came walking forward, playing ‘Sgt. Pepper’, and it had only been released on Thursday, so that was like the ultimate compliment.”
McCartney was stunned not only by Hendrix’s technical skill but also by his respect for Sgt. Pepper. Hendrix’s ability to learn and perform the complex title track in just a few days still baffles McCartney: “He must have been so into it because normally it might take a day for rehearsal… but he just opened with it.”
For McCartney, this performance remains one of the most cherished memories of his career, as he felt honored that an artist of Hendrix’s caliber would pay such a tribute. He reflected, “It’s a pretty major compliment in anyone’s book… I put that down as one of the great honors of my career.”
In addition to the Saville Theatre experience, McCartney remembers first seeing Hendrix at the famed Bag of Nails club in London. While most acts that played the club weren’t known for making a lasting impact, Hendrix was the exception. Word spread about his remarkable talent, and in just two days, he was the hottest ticket in town.
McCartney’s choice of Hendrix as his favorite guitarist might seem predictable, but he’s unwavering in his admiration. Hendrix’s talent, innovation, and charisma on stage left an indelible mark on McCartney, who was fortunate enough to witness the legend’s rise firsthand. Decades later, Hendrix’s legacy still shines, and for McCartney, no guitarist has ever matched the magic Hendrix brought to the stage.
