The biggest songwriter of the planet is 78 years old today. Looking at some numbers, McCartney scored 21 US No.1 singles and 17 in UK with The Beatles, but we’re looking back today at his solo career, with which he got over 30 US and UK Top 40 hit singles.

A big number of the images we have from our archive were taken by Linda McCartney, wife and bandmate of The Beatles singer in the band Wings. Unlike the Press To Play or Give My Regards To Broad Street era promo shots, Linda’s portraits capture some intimate and extraordinary moments of McCartney’s career.

Check out our interview with Paul McCartney a few years back where he talks with Dave Fanning about life after Linda, John Lennon and his father.