FORMER Beatle and Wings commander Paul McCartney believes that Liverpool keeps his feet on the ground, enabling him to take his world-wide fame in his stride.
Concluding an exclusive three-part interview with Peter Grant, he tells how his late wife Linda loved Liverpool and its people.
He talks about his family and the future and of enjoying the simple things in life such as quiz nights in the local ...
"YOU can take the lad out of Liverpool, but not Liverpool out of the lad": Sir James Paul McCartney's Scouse accent illustrates this adage perfectly.
In interviews - whether in print, on screen or on radio - the man worth an estimated £713 million always refers to his influential hometown with great affection.
He was most recently home to sign copies of his poetry book Blackbird Singing and to make his debut reading at the Everyman Theatre along with Willy Russell.
He also popped into LIPA - his Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts - and he met up with members of the massive McCartney clan on Merseyside.
Says Paul: "It was good to do the poetry reading because the Everyman was a place associated with Alan Durband.
"He was at the Institute. I owe him because he turned me onto literature. I respected him.
"He was a teacher who was a big influence on me at school. It was a struggle but he did get us to read Chaucer - I know where all the naughty bits are.
"He opened doors which came in very handy when the Beatles were writing songs. After the Thank You Girl period we blossomed, say, on Eleanor Rigby.
"I got my only own scholastic achievement because of him - A Level literature."
Paul says every visit home reinforces just how much the city means to him and how much it meant to his late wife Linda.
Linda loved Liverpool. Oh yeah, she really loved the humour and the caring side of the people. She was funny and smart even though she didn't have a smart image.
"She was very perceptive and strong she put up with a lot of flak in the early days of Wings and she played in band and brought up a family we did it.
"If you'd met her you'd see what I saw in her and realise what a strong woman she was.
"I remember recently having lunch with actor Liam Neeson who is not a veggie and it got a bit heated and I said to him 'Hey, you're lucky Linda's not here, mate'."
"She was passionate. Linda was so cool. I did warn her that Liverpool-Irish family dos were very friendly and that when you kiss members of the family - it's not like in New York. Oh no, I told her to keep her teeth-clenched.
"She really loved all that 'Alright girl,' stuff people would say to her. Like it is now for me in London when I am walking along the road people stop and say to me (adopts a cockney accent) 'Alright, my old son.'
"Liverpool still help keeps my feet firmly on the ground. It makes me realise who I am. I love the River I am a big fan of strong, big rivers like The Thames, The Tyne, The Hudson - yeah, the great River Mersey."
Linda loved Liverpool. Oh yeah, she really loved the humour and the caring side of the people. She was funny and smart even though she didn't have a smart image. 
