CBS had never profiled the most successful musician and composer in popular music history.
Maybe it's because it's nearly impossible to try and find something surprising to talk to Sir Paul McCartney about. How do you jostle a new memory from a Beatle who, over the decades, may be the most written about person on the planet?
Well, this fall, as the Beatles' White Album turned 50 years old, we decided to go for it.
Mr. McCartney was funny and reflective as we used rare photos and film to walk him through some very personal Beatles stories, and wondered who, at the age of 76, he's still trying to impress. But let's start with a bit of a revelation, the man who has sold an estimated billion records and may be rock and roll's best bass player-can't write or read music.
Paul McCartney: It's-- it's embarrassing.
Sharyn Alfonsi: Is that true?
Paul McCartney: I don't read music or write music. None of us did in the Beatles. We did some good stuff though. But none of it was written down by us. It's basically notation. That's the bit I can't do. 'Cause I don't see music like that. I don't--
Sharyn Alfonsi: That's interesting. You don't see music like that?
Paul McCartney: Yeah, I don't see music as dots on a page. It's something in my head that goes on.
From his first countdown, on their first song, off their first album, that "something" has translated globally and across generations.
Today, McCartney is still seeing music in his head.
Sharyn Alfonsi: How do you feel about this one?
Paul McCartney: I'm proud of it… I like this one.
"This one" is McCartney's latest album. "Egypt Station" debuted at number one.
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