PAUL McCARTNEY Released One Of His Best Solo Albums Ever With ‘RAM’ Today 55 Years Ago
Significant longplayers from yesteryear
17 May 2026
Imperishable and sublime songsmith PAUL McCARTNEY, aged 83 now, released his 2nd solo LP, named RAM, today 55 years ago, on 17 May 1971.
His only one, also credited to his then-wife, Linda Eastman.
The album’s release coincided with a period of acrimony between McCartney and the other former Beatles, and followed his legal action in the United Kingdom’s High Court to dissolve
the Fab Four partnership
While the previous album had featured him playing every instrument, Macca decided to hold auditions for musicians
to play on this one.
The LP topped the US, UK, and Canada charts.
Back sleeve
Upon its release, Ram was panned by music critics. McCartney was particularly hurt by the harsh reviews − especially as he had attempted to address the points raised in criticism of his solo debut by taking a more professional approach.
But over the years critics lauded the album as one of
his best, some claimed that it was the first indie pop
album ever.
Pitchfork said in retrospect: “Ram is a domestic-bliss album,
one of the weirdest, earthiest, and most honest ever made.”
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