Howard Stern On Interviewing Paul McCartney: “Honestly, It’s Never Fun.”

Not What You’d Expect

Howard Stern has been interviewing rock legends for decades. It’s always interesting to listen to his show because he’s a great host – not only does he ask sensible questions that don’t make the guest uncomfortable, he actually listens to the answers and lets the guests talk.

On May 14, 2019, he released his third book Howard Stern Comes Again. Aside from his life and career, he also wrote about his favorite interviews. At one point, he revealed what it was like interviewing Paul McCartney.

“I’ve been asked, ‘Was it fun to interview Paul McCartney, your childhood hero?’ No. There is no enjoyment in it whatsoever. The pressure is so intense, the sense of responsibility so enormous. I want to please the audience and I desperately want to please Paul.

“I’d love to please myself, but I know that’s not going to happen. No matter what I ask him, no matter how well the interview goes, he’s going to walk out of that studio and I’m going to obsess over all the questions I did not ask. That’s how I feel after every interview, no matter who it is. Honestly, it’s never fun. But it’s not about fun. It’s about having a job to do, and trying to do it well.”

But he also added that’s he still finds it “mind-blowing” to get to chat with the rock legend.

“If someone had told me when I was a little boy that one day I’d get to sit in the same room with Paul McCartney and talk to him, I don’t know what I would have said. It would have just seemed impossible.”

Imagine how challenging and intimidating it is to ask rockstars about this and that. Even if you’re already a famous radio personality, you could still get starstruck in the presence of McCartney. Stern did a splendid job with the interview though.