Dabbled in photography in his teens, including taking pictures of Paul and John Lennon as they honed their musical skills. He later published a book of his photographs.
Began to learn the banjo at the same time his brother Paul began to learn the guitar. He had to stop for months after breaking his arm, while the two were at Boy Scout camp.
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1997 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to music while his brother, Paul McCartney was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music.