So here’s the thing… Mike McCartney is not just Paul’s brother. (Although yes, that comes up.) He’s a photographer, a performer, a proud Liverpudlian, and a member of the iconic satirical pop group The Scaffold! You know the guys who gave us Thank U Very Much and Lily the Pink, aka the weirdest No. 1 you’ll ever love.
In this episode of Misadventures in Music, Ian Prowse and Mick Ord sit down with Mike for a ride through Merseybeat memories, family tales, and more dry humour than a biscuit tin in the Sahara.
“I had to change my name so people wouldn’t think I was riding Paul’s coattails.”
Mike tells it straight with that classic Scouse mix of humility, cheek, and razor-sharp wit. He talks about why he performed under the name Mike McGear, how he navigated a life lived near (but not under) his brother’s massive Beatles-shaped shadow, and why creativity runs through Liverpool like the River Mersey itself.
But don’t expect a Beatles nostalgia-fest. Mike’s stories are all his own, from surreal stage moments with The Scaffold to behind-the-lens encounters with 1960s rock royalty.
What You’ll Hear About:
How Mike became one of the UK’s most celebrated pop photographers (yes, he shot Hendrix and the Queen).
Life in The Scaffold and why they were never your typical pop band.
The weird, wonderful world of growing up a McCartney before Beatlemania hit.
Why Mike considers Liverpool the funniest place on Earth, and why that’s no accident.
His approach to photography: “Wait, observe, then snap.” Basically zen, with a camera.
And, of course, he sprinkles in a few family gems—like trying to outshine Paul on Top of the Pops, or the McCartney Christmas traditions you’ll wish you were part of.
“If you don’t laugh, what’s the point?”
This episode is joyful, poetic, and packed with stories that will make you laugh out loud—possibly in public. Mike’s a true storyteller, with just enough mischief in his voice to make you wonder if he’s winding you up. (Spoiler: sometimes, yes.)
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
Whether you’re a Beatles buff, a fan of The Scaffold’s absurdist brilliance, or just someone who loves a good yarn told well, Mike McCartney delivers. It’s not just an interview—it’s a one-man variety show, with Ian and Mick playing the perfect straight men.
🎧 Press play and let Mike McCartney remind you that music, mischief, and memory are best served with a grin and a Scouse accent.
1 Comment
Loved the warmth of the Mike McCartney podcast BUT absolutely struggled with Mike’s speech patterns , perhaps you could filter out some of the bass as his voice was hard to listen to and I eventually gave up.
I was listening on a computer with 2 speakers and the 2 hosts voices were loud and clear but Mike was too hard to understand.
Dave Donnelly.