Paul McCartney shows no signs of slowing down after nearly six decades onstage, as he gave fans a glimpse into how he keeps his energy high.

The 85-year-old music icon, renowned for leading two legendary bands—the Beatles and Wings, will surprise fans with a cameo in the new Spinal Tap sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, set to premiere in theaters this September.

Teaming up with Elton John, who is 78 years old, McCartney will make a special appearance alongside the iconic fictional band Spinal Tap, comprised of Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), for a closing concert in the mockumentary.

During an interview with AARP’s Movies for Grownups, director Rob Reiner shared insights into what motivates McCartney to continue entertaining audiences in sold-out stadiums well into his eighties.

‘I asked Paul McCartney about this. I said, “There’s you, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and you still like to perform. What is it about you guys? Is it that you just love the music? And you love performing?”’ Reiner began.

‘And he says, “Yeah. And the drugs,”‘ he explained of McCartney’s quip, which is also a joke line in the upcoming movie. 

Paul McCartney shows no signs of slowing down after nearly six decades onstage, as he gave fans a glimpse into how he keeps his energy high; (seen in 2024)

The 85-year-old music icon, who led two legendary bands—the Beatles and Wings—makes a surprise cameo in the upcoming Spinal Tap sequel , Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, hitting theaters this September; (seen in 2024)

And director Rob Reiner (far right in 1984’s Spinal Tap)) revealed what drives McCartney to keep performing to sold-out stadiums well into his eighties during an interview with AARP’s Movies for Grownups.

Reiner added, ‘The point is, these guys just love doing it. If they’re given an opportunity, they’ll get in front of an audience and play.’

He concluded, ‘[Spinal Tap II] basically says: No matter how old you are, if you can still do it and still enjoy doing it, then do it.’ 

This hilarious revelation follows another fun tidbit about McCartney’s unexpected influence on rock history — inspiring the name of another iconic band at the height of his Beatles fame.

To keep some privacy, Paul McCartney and John Lennon used aliases when booking hotels, unintentionally sparking the creation of punk legends The Ramones.

‘Paul [McCartney] would check into a hotel using the name Paul Ramon,’ Johnny Ramone once revealed.

He added, ‘Dee Dee was a big fan, so he changed his name to Dee Dee Ramone. We decided to call the band the Ramones.’

Drummer Marky Ramone recalled the incredible story: ‘The Beatles used to tour… before they were The Beatles, they were called The Silver Beatles, and all the girls running after them, even the guys.

‘So the next thing you know, Paul McCartney would sign into a hotel room as Paul Ramone.

‘I asked Paul McCartney about this. I said, “There’s you, Mick Jagger , Elton John, and you still like to perform. What is it about you guys? Is it that you just love the music? And you love performing?”’ Reiner began; (Paul in 2019)

‘And he says, “Yeah. And the drugs,”‘ he explained of McCartney’s quip, which is also a joke line in the upcoming movie; (pictured with John Lennon in 1965)

Reiner added, ‘The point is, these guys just love doing it. If they’re given an opportunity, they’ll get in front of an audience and play’ (Paul in 1963) 

‘[Bassist] Dee Dee looked at this and said, “Let’s call ourselves The Ramones,”’ he quipped.

Each of the band’s four original members — Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny, and Tommy — then adopted Ramone as part of their stage names, despite having no blood relation.

Earlier in the year, McCartney revealed how he reinvented his career after the Beatles split in a new book centered around his experiences with his other rock band Wings.

The legendary musician was faced with the daunting prospect of being a solo artist for the first time after the Beatles ended.

Forming Wings in 1971, the rock star has now shared his experiences in a new book called Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run.

Wings’ albums Band on the Run, Venus and Mars and At the Speed of Sound, became hits.

Speaking about the new book, which is set for release in November, Paul said: ‘I’m so very happy to be transported back to the time that was Wings and relive some of our madcap adventures through this book.

‘Starting from scratch after the Beatles felt crazy at times. There were some very difficult moments and I often questioned my decision. 

‘But as we got better I thought, “OK, this is really good.” We proved Wings could be a really good band. To play to huge audiences in the same way the Beatles had and have an impact in a different way. It was a huge buzz.’