British musician Paul McCartney recently shared insights into the early days of The Beatles on his podcast, Paul McCartney: A Life in Lyrics. McCartney discussed the brief tenure of Stuart Sutcliffe, a former member of the iconic band. According to McCartney, Sutcliffe, who joined The Beatles in 1960, struggled with musicality and was not on par with the rest of the group.
McCartney revealed that Sutcliffe, who played bass, lacked the musical background that the other members possessed. Despite his love for music, Sutcliffe admitted his limitations and had to start from scratch to learn the necessary skills. McCartney recalled that the band had to conceal Sutcliffe's shortcomings, even going as far as asking him to turn his back during photo shoots to avoid exposing his musical inadequacies.
After Sutcliffe's departure from The Beatles in 1961, McCartney took over bass duties for the group. Tragically, Sutcliffe passed away at the young age of 21 due to a cerebral hemorrhage, just months after leaving the band to pursue his passion for art.
McCartney's podcast delves into the stories behind his most famous songs, offering fans a glimpse into his musical journey both with The Beatles and as a solo artist. The ongoing second season of Paul McCartney: A Life in Lyrics, co-produced by iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin, continues to captivate listeners with anecdotes and reflections from McCartney's illustrious career.