Paul McCartney Turns 70: A Life In Pictures

Paul McCartney is 70!

The legendary songwriter and former Beatle celebrates the landmark birthday on Monday, having created and contributed to some of the most memorable pop songs of the last 50 years.

McCartney spent his last weekend as a 60-something with his wife, 52-year-old Nancy Shevell, at the five-star Castiglion del Bosco estate in Montalcino, near Siena, Italy.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the couple flew to Rome in a private jet before heading to the reclusive estate, which boasts 2,500 sq-ft private villas with views across the Tuscan countryside. The couples’ estimated joint fortune of £665 million probably covered it.

Celebrations are being kept low-key for the ex-Beatle’s 70th, with a party for close family and friends planned for their return to London on Monday. The musician told The Daily Telegraph last week that “big dos aren’t really me.”

Despite his preference for keeping things low profile, the 70-year-old will be playing one of the biggest ‘do’s’ around next month: on July 27, he’ll be performing at the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

From the Inquisitr to the man who helped give us Sgt. Pepper’s, Revolver, Abbey Road and err, the Frog Chorus: we salute you, sir.

Here are his best shots from a life well-lived: