Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images
Just a year and a half after placing as finalists on the British version of the "The X Factor," One Direction became the first act out of the U.K. to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart. The five-piece band is already being compared to their legendary predecessors, the Beatles, but McCartney has warned fans and the music industry against comparing One Direction to "the Fab Four." Why? Well, according to Sir Paul, it's for their own good! He's afraid the sudden comparison will set the lads up for eminent failure.
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
McCartney cited previous examples of said "kiss of death," recalling, "Oasis were the next Beatles once, if you remember. It's pressure because suddenly you have got to live up to all the things that we did. It was a different time back then."
The Beatles legend did offer an alternative label for 1D, suggesting, "Let's just call them the next terrific band. They're doing well in America. Good."
Do you agree with McCartney's concerns? Tweet us your thoughts @aolmusic!
View Our "Boy Bands: Where Are They Now?" Gallery
- 98 Degrees Then
- 98 Degrees Now
- Hanson Then
- Hanson Now
- O-Town Then
- O-Town Now
- Color Me Badd Then
- Color Me Badd Now
- LFO Then
- LFO Recently
- Naked Brothers Band Then
- Naked Brothers Band Now
- B2K Then
- B2K Now
- Take That Then
- Take That Now
- Westlife Then
- Westlife Now
- Stars Who Have a Type
- Jennifer Lopez: Bald Backup Dancers
- Justin Bieber: Lovely Latina Ladies
- Madonna: Much Younger Foreign Guys
- Jessica Simpson: The Super Buff, Athletic Type
- Justin Timberlake: Buff, Blonde Babes
- Rihanna: Guys With Lighter Complexions and High Cheekbones
- Taylor Swift: Cradle Robbers
- Accident-Prone Pop Stars
- Kelly Osbourne
- Justin Bieber
- Jessie J
- P!nk
- SkyBlu of LMFAO
- Rihanna
- Sean "Diddy" Combs
- Musicians Who Look Like Cartoon Characters
- Taylor Momsen and Kung Fu Panda
- Taylor Swift and a Japanese Anime Character
- Miley Cyrus and a Chipette from Alvin and the Chipmunks
- Nicki Minaj and Rainbow Brite
- Fergie and Janice from the Muppets
- Rihanna and Cleo, the fish from Pinocchio
- Nicole Scherzinger and Jasmine from Aladdin
Jennifer Hudson Performs 'Inseparable' With 'American Idol' Winner Candice Glover
Tim McGraw's 'Superstar Summer Night' Special to Air May 19
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help Ailing Fan
Kellie Pickler Advances to 'Dancing With the Stars' Finals
Taylor Swift Admired George Jones' Passion for Performing
Carrie Underwood Says She's 'Queen of Awkward' in Marie Claire Interview
Mario Announces Nicki Minaj Collaboration, 'Somebody Else'
Rock the Bells 2013 Lineup Includes Ol' Dirty Bastard & Eazy-E Holograms
Jennifer Nettles Preparing Solo Album
Kree Harrison Named 'American Idol' Runner-Up
2 Comments