Confidence has always been Adam Levine’s calling card. The Maroon 5 frontman once boldly declared, “I have a high self-opinion—I don’t need to hide that.” It’s that unapologetic swagger that’s carried him through chart-topping hits, packed arenas, and even a successful run as a coach on The Voice.
But even the most self-assured stars get a reality check once in a while—and Levine got his from none other than Sir Paul McCartney himself.
During a recent interview on The Howard Stern Show, Levine and Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine looked back on a nerve-wracking yet unforgettable moment from 2014, when the band performed a Beatles tribute live on national television. The occasion? The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles, a celebration of the Fab Four’s iconic Ed Sullivan Show debut.
Maroon 5 opened the star-studded show with classics “All My Loving” and “Ticket to Ride,” performing in front of two living legends—Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
“Listen, man, I’ve only been truly scared a handful of times in my life,” Levine confessed. “That was definitely one of them. I mean, c’mon… that’s Paul and Ringo. You can’t play it cool around them.”
But the real moment came after the performance. Levine ran into McCartney, who leaned in close and, with a cheeky smile, said in a classic British lilt: “You know, we did it better.”
Levine burst out laughing. “I was like, ‘Of course you did—you’re Paul McCartney!’” he recalled. “It was perfect. It was honest, it was funny, and it totally broke the tension.”
But Sir Paul didn’t stop there. Months later, at a party, McCartney approached Levine again—this time to clear the air. “‘Hey, man,’ he said, ‘I hope I didn’t offend you with that comment. I’ve been thinking about it.’” Levine, floored by the thoughtfulness, quickly reassured him: “Dude, you’re Paul f—ing McCartney. I’m not offended. I’m honored you even spoke to me.”
It was a moment of humility, humor, and mutual respect—and a reminder that even rock gods don’t take themselves too seriously.
