Sir Paul McCartney first picked up a guitar as a bereaved teenager in 1956. In the fifty years since he's become the most successful pop music composer in history, enjoying a virtual season ticket to the Guinness Book of Records. McCartney's ballad Yesterday, which he wrote in his sleep, has since been covered by 2,400 other artists - making it the most popular song of all time.

Now Christopher Sandford reveals the man behind the myth ... Among the eye-opening stories is the surprising love-hate relationship with John Lennon, not to mention with Lennon's widow, as well as an insider's account of McCartney's controversial marriage to Heather Mills. Likeswise, Sir Paul's restless creativity - both mainstream and avant-garde - his second group and his marriage to the late Linda McCartney are seen here in fresh and stunning detail.

This behind the scenes story takes readers right up to today, as Sir Paul passes his 64th birthday. It's a hard, fast, sometimes shocking saga of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll - the true adventure of the last showbiz superstar.