Mary McCartney/MPL Communications

Mary McCartney/MPL CommunicationsJust about every year is an eventful one for Paul McCartney, and 2019 was no exception.

In May, McCartney released an expanded, deluxe box-set version of his chart-topping 2018 studio album Egypt Station dubbed the “Explorer’s Edition.” That same month, the Beatles legend kicked off a new U.S. leg of his ongoing Freshen Up tour.

In August, Sir Paul revealed that he was working on his first stage musical, penning music and lyrics for a production based on the classic 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life in collaboration with Tony-winning playwright Lee Hall.

In early September, McCartney published a new children’s book called Hey Grandude!, about a super-cool grandfather who, thanks to his magic compass, is able to take his grandkids on wondrous adventures. That same month, Paul and his Beatles band mate Ringo Starr attended two separate events in London together — one promoting a new book of photos taken by McCartney late wife, Linda, and the other celebrating the release of the 50th anniversary reissue on the Fab Four’s Abbey Road album.

In November, McCartney issued a limited-edition vinyl single as part of the Record Store Day Black Friday event featuring two unreleased songs he recorded during the Egypt Station sessions — “Home Tonight” and “In a Hurry.”

Finally, in December, it was announced that McCartney was co-producing a new animated film called High in the Clouds, based on a 2005 children’s book he co-wrote, in partnership with Netflix and the French movie company Gaumont. Sir Paul also is contributing original songs and soundtrack music to the flick.

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