Mike McCartney (b. 1944, Liverpool) is a British artist celebrated for his work as a musician, photographer, and performance artist. He is also the younger brother of Paul McCartney. McCartney’s passion for photography began in his teenage years and continued throughout his career, capturing iconic moments, especially during The Beatles' rise to fame. His love for photography earned him the nickname "Flash Harry" from Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, due to his constant use of a flash gun.
In 1962, McCartney joined The Scaffold, a satirical comedy and music group, and adopted the stage name 'Mike McGear' to avoid leveraging his brother's fame. He contributed to their success, including writing their top-five single "Thank U Very Much" in 1967 and their Christmas number one hit "Lily the Pink" in 1968. In the 1970s, McCartney collaborated with Paul and Wings on his album McGear, and the two reunited for The Scaffold's final hit, "Liverpool Lou," in 1974. McCartney continued his music career through the 1980s but eventually returned to his photography, abandoning his "McGear" pseudonym.
McCartney’s photography has been exhibited internationally, with notable collections focusing on his images of The Beatles and his Liverpool life. He has published several photography books, including a limited-edition release featuring his Live8 shots, with profits benefiting the Band Aid Trust. His work has been shown globally, from Scotland to Japan, and his photographs are part of the National Portrait Gallery's collection. McCartney's contributions to photography also played a role in the restoration of his childhood home by the National Trust. He currently resides with his family in Wirral.
