Sir Paul McCartney has defended his late wife Linda McCartney’s singing abilities.
The American photographer – who tragically passed away in 1998 aged 56 after a battle with breast cancer – withstood a lot of criticism for her questionable vocals when she was part of her husband’s post-Beatles band Wings, but he has dismissed the backlash.
Macca told The Guardian: "On things like the song ‘I am Your Singer’ – and, well, all of them – I really love Linda’s voice.
"It’s very distinctive and she sings well. I’m sort of listening for it being what the critics said – you know: ‘Oh, she’s not very good.’
"But her tone is great. The decision to have Linda in the band singing was a tough one, because she’s never sung professionally."
The ‘Hey Jude’ hitmaker – who is married to his third wife Nancy Shevell – admitted that when he formed Wings in 1971, he knew that he would never be able to trump the phenomenal success of the Fab Four.
The legendary rocker – who had four children with his first wife, including fashion designer Stella McCartney – added: "But it was: whatever we do, we’re not going to do what The Beatles did."
Linda – who was a passionate animal rights activist – once said she was unfazed by the criticism she received over her poor vocals because she initially had no intent of becoming a singer and valued her altruistic qualities over her musical skills.
She explained: "Does it really matter? If I wasn’t married to Paul, it wouldn’t matter. I think I’m the opposite of what most people think – basically a kind person. Some of the criticism I get may be jealousy."
Indeed, Sir Paul has now added that he had no regrets over Wings, and he’s happy the band existed in the way it did.
He said: "Looking back on it, I’m really glad we did it."
Paul McCartney defends Linda’s singing skills
