Paul McCartney Out Amongst Alzheimer’s Fears

The National ENQUIRER caught Paul McCartney enjoying some rare solitude while on a Sunday stroll through the hills of Coldwater Canyon in Beverly Hills. The aging Beatle is needing to stay in shape for an upcoming "mega-concert" this October that pairs him with other stars like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Neil Young — none of whom are under 70 years old. Meanwhile, friends fear that 73-year-old Paul is facing the battle of his life against dreaded Alzheimer's disease!

The beloved pop star is telling pals that he’s having trouble remembering the melodies and lyrics to some of his songs — and friends told The ENQUIRER that he once didn't recognize a photo of former bandmate Ringo Starr!

“Paul says he can’t remember the words or tunes to many of the songs he made famous,” a pal revealed. “He says there are just too many of them, and he has to relearn some of them before he tours!”

A source told The ENQUIRER that the former moptop — who released an album in 2007 titled “Memory Almost Full" — has been secretly hospitalized several times as doctors work to get a full diagnosis of his condition.

"He’s been doing different tests and being evaluated to see if he has Alzheimer's or some other cognitive problem,” the informant dished. “His memory loss is a great concern to him — and to his family! He's got the resources to get a proper diagnosis, and then take care of whatever it may turn out to be — whether Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, early dementia or just normal memory loss from aging.”

Sir Paul, who’s wed to third wife Nancy Shevell, 56, has confessed he’s having trouble with his memory. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really know my songs,” he said. “There are certain ones that I can conjure up. But really the truth is, people say, ‘Go on, do that one' — and I say, ‘Sorry, I have no idea how it goes!’”

“Thankfully, Paul’s having himself checked out," added the insider. "He's NOT living in denial!"