Rusty Anderson is likely the rock world's secret weapon.

What makes Anderson so special isn't simply his ability to play with blazing speed or to craft the perfect solo under deadline. It's that he can do all that and draw upon everything from classical and flamenco styles to surf, metal and pop to enhance any kind of song.

However, Anderson's invisibility factor began to disappear just about the time his impressive career took a dramatic turn in early 2001.

"I went into the studio in February. I had never met Paul (McCartney); it was sort of nerve-racking," Anderson admitted. "Within an hour or two, I was playing (recording) bass on 'About You.'"

Since joining McCartney's band to record "Driving Rain," Anderson has played at the Academy Awards, the Super Bowl and the Concert for New York City. Anderson is also featured on the live "Back in the U.S." DVD.

"New York City was trial by fire. After doing the 'Driving Rain' record together, Abe (drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.) and I were excited at the prospects of doing live gigs with Paul. The original plans to play live changed in a big way when Sept. 11 happened. All of a sudden we found ourselves on stage after just a couple of rehearsals. That was our first real gig."

Anderson not only got to play with McCartney in Madison Square Garden, but found himself playing guitar on stage alongside Eric Clapton.

"David Bowie, the Stones, the Who; I even met Bill Clinton backstage," he recalled.

In the subsequent tour that stretched across America (twice) and Europe, Anderson gathered an arsenal of great memories. Anyone who saw one of the shows likely took note of him when he played the solo on "Maybe I'm Amazed," one of many moments in the set where he was showcased.

"It's one of the greatest guitar solos ever written. It rocks and it's melodic," said Anderson, who has been playing guitar since age 8.

Anderson is finally back home in Los Angeles, having wrapped up McCartney's tour after a June 1 show in Liverpool. The 90-date world tour had begun in Oakland in April 2002 and an estimated 2 million people caught McCartney in concert.

Anderson was born in Pacific Palisades, but grew up in La Habra. He graduated from La Habra High School and was lead guitarist of Orange County's best-known band at the time, Eulogy. After that, he was in the Living Daylights and the Andersons and then he was in Ednaswap - signed to both Island and Elektra. All of those bands enjoyed critical acclaim and some radio airplay, but never achieved widespread commercial success.

After years of playing with some of rock's most famed artists, Anderson will release his first solo CD, "Undressing Underwater," later this summer. The players contributing their skills to the album include Police drummer Stewart Copeland and Ednaswap bassist Paul Bushnell (who played on Jewel and Elton John albums with Anderson).

"I've always been in bands. Now I'm in the mode, I figured, to surrender to myself and do it myself. Most of the CD, I wrote myself or co- wrote.

"Lots of music today is based in rhythm; many artists seem to intentionally avoid melody," Anderson said. "I think melodically as well as rhythmically. This is a melody- based record."

Sir Paul and the rest of his band joined Anderson in the studio in November to record "Hurt Myself." David Kahne, who produced McCartney's "Driving Rain" and recommended Anderson to McCartney, produced the Anderson- penned track.

"We only had three days before we played in Mexico; we recorded at Sunset Sound studios (in Los Angeles)".

There are undoubtedly thousands of kids who have grown up dreaming of being able to pick up a guitar and play alongside McCartney on "All My Loving," "Can't Buy Me Love" or "I Saw Her Standing There." Anderson is the kid who is living that dream again and again, never tiring of the thrill. McCartney is scheduled to begin work on his next studio record in September and Anderson hopes this is one magical mystery tour that never ends.