US Album Release: McCartney by Paul McCartney

Monday 20 April 1970 | Paul McCartney, Release

McCartney, the debut solo album by Paul McCartney, was released in the United States on 20 April 1970, three days after its UK release.

The album brought together a mix of home recordings, studio fragments, Beatles-era outtakes and improvised material. It was assembled quickly during a period of uncertainty within Apple and as The Beatles' internal break-up was becoming publicly apparent.

The release schedule became a point of dispute within Apple Corps. Neil Aspinall initially suggested delaying the album to allow Ringo Starr's Sentimental Journey additional focus, and McCartney briefly agreed. However, Allen Klein's subsequent decision-making led to confusion over timing, prompting McCartney to restore the original release date.

Around the same time, The Beatles' Let It Be project was also completed, with discussions ongoing about how solo and group releases should be coordinated. Communication between McCartney and the other Beatles became increasingly strained throughout this period.

Chart Performance

McCartney spent three weeks at number one in the United States and was later certified double platinum. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number two, held off the top spot by Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water.

No singles were issued from the album at the time of release, although “Maybe I'm Amazed” later became one of McCartney's most celebrated solo recordings.