Sir Paul McCartney reveals how John Lennon overcame his ‘secret insecurity’

Sir Paul McCartney reveals how John Lennon overcame his ‘secret insecurity’ with the help of Buddy Holly

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed how John Lennon overcame his ‘secret insecurity’ with the help of Buddy Holly.

The musician, 81, explained that his Beatles bandmate hated wearing his glasses and only started wearing them after Buddy burst on to the scene with his thick frames.

The US star, who has been regarded as a pioneer for rock and roll, died aged 22 on February 3 1959 in a plane crash in Iowa along with fellow passengers and musicians Richie Valens and JP ‘The Big Bopper’ Richardson and their pilot Roger Peterson.

To mark the 65th anniversary of Buddy’s death, Bob Harris has presented a new BBC Radio 2 documentary which pays tribute to the singer’s legacy.

Speaking on the series Sir Paul, recalled how fellow band member John  stuck by his horn-rimmed glasses after Holly came out wearing a similar pair.

Sir Paul McCartney, 81, has revealed how John Lennon overcame his 'secret insecurity' with the help of Buddy Holly (Sir Paul pictured at Glastonbury in 2022)

The musician explained that his Beatles bandmate hated wearing his glasses and only started wearing them after Buddy burst on to the scene with his thick frames

He said: ‘John had these horn-rimmed glasses at the time and if ever there would be a girl coming round John would whip his glasses off and put them in his pocket and squint as she went by.

‘And I would say, you look pretty good, the glasses are good, no, but when Buddy came along the glasses stayed on…

‘It was like Harry Potter with all the kids.’

Reflecting on Buddy in the show, Paul added: ‘Buddy Holly to us was amazing for a number of reasons.

‘On a musical level he sang and played guitar, Elvis just sang and Scotty Moore played guitar.

‘He not only played guitar, he played the solos. Normally if you played guitar there was another guy in the group who was the lead guitar who played the solos, but Buddy sang, played guitar and played the solos.

‘He also wrote the stuff. So this was like all-inclusive one-man band and we really thought that was great. We thought this is what we have to do.’

Holly’s work had a strong influence on The Beatles, with their name intended to be a homage to Holly’s backing band The Crickets.

The US star, who has been regarded as a pioneer for rock and roll, died aged 22 on February 3 1959 in a plane crash (Buddy Holly pictured in 1957)

Paul said: 'John had these horn-rimmed glasses at the time and if ever there would be a girl coming round John would whip his glasses off and put them in his pocket' (top L-R Paul and Ringo Starr, bottom L-R George Harrison and John)

Sir Paul, whose music publishing company owns the rights to Holly’s work, previously organised an annual festival in the singer’s honour, dubbed Buddy Holly Week, which ran from 1976 to 1999.

The programme will also feature a specially remastered version of a Holly’s song It’s So Easy recorded by Denny Laine, which Sir Paul provided to the show.

In the programme Harris introduces the record, saying: ‘Paul has also reminded us about a special album from 1977 from his great friend and musical collaborator Denny Laine, who sadly passed away in December, Holly Days.

‘He (Paul) has given us a special remastered version of It’s So Easy. Recorded in Rude Studios, Scotland, with Paul laying down the basic tracks, including some overdubs, on his four-track recorder.

‘Denny and Linda McCartney added some instrumental parts and all three joined in on the vocals. Denny sang lead and the McCartneys harmonised.’

The show, titled Listen To Me, presented by Bob Harris, is on BBC Radio 2 from 1am on Saturday February 3 and will be available on BBC Sounds.

Related Posts

EXCLUSIVE: Ruth Langsford saw different side to Strictly’s Anton Du Beke after ‘bursting into tears’

Ruth Langsford has opened up about her time on Strictly Come Dancing, admitting that she often felt ‘really rubbish’ and would ‘always burst into tears’ behind-the-scenes View…

Coleen Nolan feels ‘like an 18-year-old’ in candid love life update

Loose Women legend Coleen Nolan has said that she she feels “like an 18-year-old” as she provided a candid love life update on Tuesday’s edition of the…

At 75, King Charles Finally Breaks Silence and Confirms the Dark Secret That Has Haunted the British Monarchy for Decades

King Charles III, now 75, has finally confirmed a secret surrounding the British monarchy that has long been whispered but never openly acknowledged. This moving confession offers…

Lou Teasdale addresses feud with Caroline Flack’s mum – ‘A lot of fingers get pointed’

Celebrity make-up artist, Lou Teasdale, sat down for a candid conversation with Paul C Brunson about her life, career and her best friend Caroline Flack’s suicide in…

10 MINUTES AGO! Princess Anne Finally Reveals Late Queen’s Secret Decree: Princess Catherine’s NEW ROLE Stuns the King and Queen Consort

The British monarchy, steeped in tradition, occasionally faces moments that reshape its future. In a stunning revelation, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, has disclosed a previously hidden…

Coronation Street star Alan Halsall, 42, goes public with MUCH younger girlfriend

Soap favourite Alan Halsall has shared a sweet picture with his new girlfriend and daughter as the Coronation Street star announces his “serious” new relationship Alan Halsall…