"Paul is dead" is an urban legend and conspiracy theory alleging that English pop musician Paul McCartney of the Beatles died in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a look-alike. The rumour began circulating in 1966, gaining broad popularity in September 1969 following reports on American college campuses.
McCartney in 1966. The urban legend alleges that McCartney died in November 1966 and was replaced by a stand-in.
The "funeral procession" on the cover of Abbey Road
The magazine report that rebutted the rumour
Sir James Paul McCartney is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One of the most successful composers and performers of all time, McCartney is known for his melodic approach to bass-playing, versatile and wide tenor vocal range, and musical eclecticism, exploring genres ranging from preārock and roll pop to classical, ballads, and electronica. His songwriting partnership with Lennon is the most successful in modern music history.
McCartney in 2021
The home at 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, into which the McCartney family moved in 1955
McCartney in 1964
McCartney (centre) with the rest of the Beatles in 1964