Paul McCartney inspired by magpies

The former Beatles star said: "The only thing I'm superstitious about is magpies. I see a lot of them and when you do, you spit or salute and I happen to spit. "I love it when you see two for joy. They're not supposed to be good for other songbirds and a lot of keen gardeners don't like them, but I do. I've got lots. To me, it's double joy or triple joy. I'm very inspired on a spring morning if I see a crowd of eight. Someone pointed out that I've written a lot of bird songs, so recently I've become more conscious of it." [more]

Madonna, Paul McCartney scrap Aussie tour dates in wake of recession

According to reports, Madonna was scheduled to perform at Sydney's ANZ Stadium and Melbourne's Docklands in late January. In fact, Tickets for Madonna's shows were due to go on sale two weeks ago and 'The Material Girl' planned to charge a top ticket price of 400 dollars. The shows were being presented by US tour giant Live Nation and local promoter Michael Coppel. 'It got as close as anything ever gets. Madonna was coming to Australia, the dates were resolved, then economics got in the way,'' The Daily Telegraph quoted a tour industry source as saying. [...more...]

Bird lover McCartney wanted to become ornithologist as a kid

(ANI): Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he loves birds so much that he wanted to become an ornithologist as a kid. Ive always liked birds. Its a theme of mine, the Sun quoted him as saying while discussing Electric Arguments by The Fireman, an album thats getting him some of the best reviews for many a year. I think theyre symbolic of freedom, of flying away. As a kid, I was a keen ornithologist and had a little pocket book, the Observers Book Of Birds. I lived on the outskirts of Liverpool and could walk just a mile to be in quite deep countryside, he added. The The Beatles legend admits that birds have hugely inspired his music. Somebody pointed out that Ive written a lot of bird songs so, recently, Ive become more conscious of it. Theres Blackbird (on The Beatles The White Album), Bluebird (on Wings album Band On The Run) and Jenny Wren (on solo album Chaos And Creation In The Backyard.), he said.

A track in Electric Arguments, titled Two Magpies, seems to reveal McCartneys familiarity with the expression one for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy.” Asked whether he was superstitious, he said: No, probably the only thing Im superstitious about is magpies. Living in the country (at Peasmarsh, East Sussex), I see a lot of them. You see one and you spit or salute. I happen to spit. He added: I love it when you see two for joy. I dont shoot or catch them like a lot of people. Theyre not supposed to be good for other songbirds and a lot of keen gardeners dont like them, but I do. Ive got lots. To me, its double joy or triple joy. Im very inspired on a spring morning if I see a crowd of eight. Electric Arguments is the first Fireman album complete with lyric-based songs, for the previous two albums were ambient, electronic instrumental works. (ANI)

MCCARTNEY HITS OUT AT LED ZEPPELIN TOUR

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has expressed his disappointment at LED ZEPPELIN's decision to reunite without frontman ROBERT PLANT. The Kashmir hitmakers announced last month (Oct08) that they plan to hit the road in 2009 without Plant, who has opted out of the reunion shows.
The remaining stars, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and the late John Bonham's son, Jason, are now auditioning singers to take over vocals. But fans of the rockers don't want to see the group with another frontman - and former Beatle MCCartney concedes it won't be the same without Plant. He says, "What's happened to Planty? He was great at their gig. It's such a pity." SOURCE

Linda McCartney food sales soar

Vegetarian frozen food producer Linda McCartney has increased sales by more than 57pc in a 12-week period up to October. The Fakenham-based brand has seen sales soar since a product relaunch last year by its new owner, the US-based Hain Celestial Group. The relaunch, backed by the McCartney family, included promoting products to a wider target audience, new product lines and improvements to the firm's distribution network. It saw Linda McCartney product sales rise to £10m in the year to November 1 - up 32pc on the last financial year. In the same period, the firm's output increased 27pc to 7.1million units of meat-free frozen meals made at the Fakenham factory in the same period. The rise in popularity was more pronounced in the 12 weeks up to October 4, with sales rising 57pc, to £2.4m. A spokesman for the firm said the rise in sales came after a year of little happening with the brand but that now, following the relaunch, it was back in the game. [...more...]

Exclusive First Listen: Paul McCartney

When The Fireman released its debut album in 1993 — the instrumental dance and electronica mix Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest — the band's identity was a mystery. U.K. music magazine Melody Maker eventually exposed The Fireman as a duo featuring the bassist and producer known as Youth and, to everyone's surprise, Paul McCartney. Reviewers praised the collaboration as "staggeringly brilliant," but it was a strange and entirely unexpected direction for the former Beatle. [...more/audio...]

MCCARTNEY'S RECIPE FOR PERFECT CHRISTMAS DINNER

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has the ideal veggie substitute for Christmas turkey - he eats macaroni cheese with his roast dinner. The former Beatle, who became a vegetarian in the 1970s, has revealed how he and late wife Linda stumbled upon the recipe during their first attempt at making a meat-free festive feast. He tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "We had all the trimmings but we needed something to simulate the turkey. So Linda made macaroni cheese. It was good, then she let it stand so it went solid and I was able to slice it. It kind of worked so we called it the macaroni turkey." SOURCE

Revolution None: The Beatles' 'Wide Album'

The idea came about after the group returned from India with a massive cache of over 30 songs and realized they had too much material for even a double LP. That’s when Beatle John Lennon hit on the idea of enlarging the size of the record’s discs from 12 to 14 inches, in order to fit more music. Beatle scholars agree that Lennon first brought the idea to his buddy, Apple staff “inventor” Magic Alex Madras, who confirmed that bigger discs could be manufactured. Unfortunately, no one would be able to play such discs since they wouldn’t be able to fit on regular phonographs. Undaunted, Lennon pressed on with the idea, saying the band “already did too much” for its fans and that he was “going to make sure Paul didn’t get more songs than me on the album even if it means no one hears the bloody tunes”. [...more...]

Paul McCartney: Why I experiment

When it comes to music, enthusiasm is what drives me. And because I'm enjoying myself, I never see anything that I do as a risk, I just see it as a bit of fun. In the Beatles we didn't even think Sgt Peppers was a risk at the time. The newspapers did. One said: "The Beatles have dried up, they've not come out with anything for six months, they're finished!" And we were there, sniggering, thinking "Ha!" But I like pushing the boundaries a little bit because it keeps things fresh. [...more...]

“We Love Ringo”, Says McCartney

Paul McCartney has defended Ringo ‘the grumpy Beatle’ Starr after the drummer refused to sign any more autographs for fans. We’ve already told you about Ringo threatening his fans with “peace and love” if they sent anything to sign (read the full story here). Paul McCartney has now jumped in to defend his former band-mate saying that the former Beatle “has always been like that”. In a recent interview promoting his Fireman project, Paul McCartney said: “We love Ringo… In the world that we live in you’re not supposed to say that, so he’s always getting in trouble for speaking his mind… I think it’s a good quality. It’s called honesty, actually”. In the same interview, but clearly less news-worthy (ahem…), McCartney revealed that talks between The Beatles, EMI and iTunes had “stalled” over selling the band’s albums digitally. SOURCE

McCartney denies Heather Mills track

Sir Paul McCartney’s song “Nothing Too Much, Just Out Of Sight” is not about his ex-wife Heather Mills. According to Music-news.com, this particular song on his new album “Electric Arguments” with side project The Fireman, was widely believed to be about the former model – who Paul divorced earlier this year. “'I didn’t have anyone in mind. There was an African guy called Jimmy Scott who I used to meet in nightclubs in London during the 60s. He was the guy who said to me, 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, life goes on’ and the other thing he used to say was, 'Nothing too much man, just out of sight.’ I always thought that it was a great thing to say, so it was really Jimmy. I just flew off that line and shouted out things around it, he said. Paul also claims his new album proves he is just as experimental as his late songwriting partner John Lennon. “John and I grew up together and I think we were both as experimental as each other but perception-wise he was the more experimental one,” he added. SOURCE

Paul McCartney slams reality TV

Paul McCartney has criticised reality TV’s increasing dominance on programme schedules. "It's compulsive viewing. But so is watching a traffic accident,” the Beatles legend told the Mirror. “I can't turn on the TV without somebody being judged by four people, whether it is on ice, on stage or in the jungle. It's a bit weird. They say 'I don't think you are very good' - while they say 'give us a break guvnor'. I don't think you are going to find a Bob Dylan on one of those shows.” [...more...]

Copyright Is Not A Welfare System For Musicians

The purpose of copyright is clear: it's to provide an incentive for the creation of new content. As such, it makes absolutely no sense to ever retroactively extend any sort of copyright. The government, backed by citizens, made a deal with content creators: you create content and we give you a monopoly for x number of years -- and clearly that deal was considered fair by the content creators, or they wouldn't have agreed to it and created the content. To go back and change the terms of the deal at a later date is unfair to everyone. It's renegotiating a deal against citizens' best interests. It's as if you bought a car for a price you negotiated, and three years later, the car company comes back to you and says that you need to pay more, because they, alone, decided that they didn't make enough off of you. Even worse, they get the government to force you to pay, saying that you need to do so. [...more...]

John Lennon's sense of humour shows in his art, says Yoko Ono

Former Beatle John Lennon's sense of humour will be on show in Auckland next month when a collection of his artwork goes on display. "Imagine the Art of John Lennon" includes limited edition fine art prints consisting of lithographs, serigraphs and copper etchings hand reproduced from his original drawings, and handwritten song lyrics, said the Ferner Galleries of Parnell in Auckland. [...more...]

Beatles lyrics often based on real people

Many famous Beatles tunes are based on real people and actual events. John Lennon and Paul McCartney frequently turned to their childhood, their family — and even their pets — for inspiration. Here are some examples: _ "A Day in the Life": The first section of this song from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" deals with the demise of Tara Browne, a wealthy young socialite and friend of the Beatles who died in a London car crash in 1966. A later verse comes from a news report. _ "Hey Jude": This best-selling single was written in 1968 by McCartney for Lennon's young son, Julian. It started off as "Hey Jules," but McCartney changed it. Many view the song as an attempt to cheer 5-year-old Julian at the time of his parents' divorce. [...more...]

The Beatles were a 'spiritual force'

When John Lennon remarked in 1966 that the Beatles were then "bigger than Jesus" his comments prompted outrage in the U.S. But this weekend the Vatican's newspaper paid tribute to the band on the 40th anniversary of the release of their "White Album" in an article interpreted by some as a papal pardon for Lennon. CNN's Alessio Vinci spoke to Steve Turner, author "The Gospel According To The Beatles," about the controversy which helped to end the Beatles' touring career. Q: Was Lennon surprised by the storm his comment generated? [...more...]

MCCARTNEY 'DOESN'T MIND' ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has announced he is happy for people to download music illegally - just as THE BEATLES' deal with music giant iTunes fell through. MCCartney recently revealed that a contract which would have seen the Fab Four's back catalogue released online was abandoned after Apple Corps bosses and EMI executives failed to agree on terms. And now MCCartney insists he doesn't have a problem with people who take music from the internet without paying for it, although he does find the whole concept a little baffling. He says, "It's weird for me (the concept of downloading). I'm not from that. I'm from going into a shop and buying a 45. We've come through vinyl, tapes and CDs - it's all the same, except people don't pay for it (now). I don't mind. It works out." And the music legend is full of praise for British rockers Radiohead who took the innovative step of releasing their latest LP, In Rainbows, through the web and allowing fans to name their own price for it. MCCartney adds, "I like it, it's a new idea. I like its anarchic-ness. I thought about buying it for one pence and telling my friends I'd paid GBP10!" SOURCE

McCartney: No Beatles on iTunes in the Near Future

I've had it. This is the last article I am going to write about the Beatles' catalog possibly going on sale online until it actually happens. For years, reporters have been taunted and teased by rumors of the legendary Beatles, Steve Jobs' favorite band, finally becoming available in the iTunes music store and other digital music stores outlets. However, according to Paul McCartney, negotiations have once again stalled. [...more...]

The Download: New Fireman (Paul McCartney & Youth Collaboration) MP3

At first listen, you'd never guess that Paul McCartney is the gritty blues voice behind "Nothing Too Much Just out of Sight." The track opens up the third LP from the former Beatle in his project with producer and Killing Joke bassist, Youth. The Fireman's Electric Arguments comes out tomorrow and is the duo's first LP to be publicly acknowledged by Sir McCartney, as well as the first to feature him singing. According to their site: "Electric Arguments is an eclectic and varied album consisting of thirteen tracks recorded in thirteen days over the period of nearly a year. Each track was written and recorded in the space of one day. The Fireman went into the studio with no plan or clear direction of how they wanted the album to sound. The project took a life of its own and the results will surprise anyone expecting to hear the previous sound of the band. [...more...]

It Was Scary Suing The Beatles Says McCartney

Paul McCartney has revealed that suing his bandmates to wrestle control of The Beatles’ legacy from manager Allen Klein was “the most awkward position I’ve ever been placed in”. Former Beatle Paul McCartney has told The Times that suing John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr – one of the key episodes that brought about the band’s dissolution – was one of the scariest things he’s ever done. “I was placed in the most awkward position I’ve ever been placed in. I had to fight three mates to save their legacy, their money, as well as mine, and I did so knowing it would put me in a very dodgy position. [...more...]

McCartney says Lennon conflict was over

Singer Paul McCartney says his conflict with fellow Beatles star John Lennon was well over before the British singer was fatally shot. McCartney said while he and Lennon were at odds beginning in the late 1960s regarding who would handle the Beatles' finances, the two band leaders made peace with one another before Lennon's death in 1980, The Sunday Times of London magazine reported. "Before John died I got back a good relationship with him. That was very special," McCartney told the magazine. "The arguments we had didn't matter." McCartney remained unapologetic for his attempts to have his in-laws manage the Beatles following the death of manager Brian Epstein, saying it was the best thing for the band. I was placed in the most awkward position I've ever been placed in," he said. "I had to fight three mates to save their legacy, their money, as well as mine, and I did so knowing it would put me in a very dodgy position." © 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

McCartney Communes With His Inner Hippie

How does Paul McCartney, 66, follow up “Memory Almost Full,” his grand autumnal (but still chipper) statement on life and mortality? By hiding his name and conjuring one kind of heaven: the 1960s as reconstituted with 21st-century multitracking. For “Electric Arguments” he regrouped his not-so-anonymous duo the Fireman (Mr. McCartney produced by the bassist Youth), walked into the studio on 13 nonconsecutive days with no material, and finished a track at each session, playing all the instruments. (There’s also a fragment hidden at the end of the last song.) Some songs have verses and choruses, while others are just fleshed-out sketches, seeking and often finding what “Sing the Changes” calls for: “a sense of childlike wonder.” [...more...]

Vatican: Church 'forgives' Lennon remark

More than 40 years after Christians were infuriated by John Lennon's claim that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus," the Roman Catholic Church has made peace with the Fab Four. Today's edition of the Vatican's official newspaper says that "after so many years it sounds merely like the boasting of an English working-class lad struggling to cope with unexpected success." In a lengthy editorial marking the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' White Album, L'Osservatore Romano heaps praise on the band saying only "snobs" would dismiss the Beatles' songs. SOURCE

Paul McCartney Changes His Name To Gladys Jenkins

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he changed his name to Gladys Jenkins while recording his new Fireman album. In an interview with Channel 4, the former Beatle said that by using a woman’s name he felt more relaxed while singing. He also said it was a technique he first used when recording with the Beatles. [...more...]

'Lost' Beatles' George Harrison interview tape discovered

A previously-unheard interview with The Beatles' late guitarist George Harrison has been discovered. The interview, which took place in 1967, was conducted by Miranda Ward, who worked as a journalist in the '60s and '70s, reports BBC 6music. The tapes, which the station claims "could now be worth over £200,000", were hidden in Ward's house. Film producer/director David Lambert told the station he unearthed the recordings while doing research. "George, being known as the quiet Beatle, was interviewed about his part in the famous film by The Beatles called 'Magical Mystery Tour'," he said. "It was only a brief chat about that, but during the interview he went on and discussed all aspects of life and the way he viewed it at the time. It was really the meaning of life according to George Harrison in 1967. He covers all aspects of things, the Eastern mysticism, he was very involved at the time with the Maharishi," he added. SOURCE

They Say It's Your Birthday

The 40-year mark is often a significant milestone. For most of us, it signals middle age and the onset of all of the aches and pains that accompany growing older. For works of art, it's a time to re-evaluate importance, validity and relevance. "The Beatles," commonly referred to as "The White Album," is the ninth studio album from Britain's Fab Four and it features some of their most eclectic work; the 40th anniversary of its release arrives on Saturday. There are myriad stories surrounding its creation, and the effect those legends had on the people who eagerly consumed the Beatles' music is evident in their memories of the monumental two-disc album. [...more...]

Beatles treated with all respect

"I've always thought you shouldn't mess around with Beatles tunes," he said. Jewell said the show allows people to reflect on those times from weird fashion to the style of cars from the 1960s to what people were interested in both politically and socially. And Witter said he's seen those memories from the audience, whether it is a high school date, a tough time in college or singing lyrics everyone can recite. "People have a real, real emotional connection with this music," Witter said. "So much so, that when we play "Let It Be" and show the date the Beatles announced their breakup on the screen, I've seen grown men take off their glasses and wipe a tear from their eye." [...more...]

MCCARTNEY'S CONCERNS ABOUT CREDIT CRUNCH

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY is so worried about the current global financial crisis, he's called in his accountant to ensure he doesn't lose his millions. The former Beatles star, who is said to be worth as much as $1.2 billion (GBP824 million) was forced to hand $36.45 million (GBP24.3 million) to ex-wife Heather Mills in their divorce settlement earlier this year (08). And now he's called in his financial advisor to make sure he doesn't lose any more money as the world faces a recession. He says, "I actually did phone my guy up and say, 'How exposed are we?' He said, 'You're as exposed as everyone - if the banks all go broke'. "But generally speaking, as far as the way we do business, there's not a huge speculative exposure." But the singer isn't just worried about his own fortune - he insists he is "unhappy" at how the crisis is affecting other people. SOURCE

The Beatles are all around you

There is no escape from The Beatles. Their greatness echoes in the bands they influence, cover songs, advertisements, films, overpriced t-shirts and it’s all good. I have been to a wedding where the invitations quoted “Here, There, Everywhere” and the groom sang “If I fell” at the wedding ceremony. Whenever I drive my nephews anywhere we rock out the minivan with “Yellow Submarine” and “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, sparing my sanity from being robbed from me by The Wiggles. Try it out, you can thank me later. If you don’t like The Beatles, inevitable darkness lies ahead. Another Beatles wave is rolling in and there’s nowhere to run. So bunker down my friend, because The Beatles are coming and you have no say in it. Best if you learn to like it. Boston Music Examiner: The Beatles are all around you

Paul McCartney’s Beatrice song

Sir Paul McCartney’s five-year-old daughter appears on his new album. Beatrice - Paul’s daughter with ex-wife Heather Mills – appears on the track ‘Two Magpies’ from Paul’s latest LP ‘Electric Arguments’ with his side project The Fireman. A source told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “Beatrice was in the studio and during the recording of ‘Two Magpies’ she grabbed some earphones and said, ‘I want to play the piano’, which was picked up on the microphone. “When Paul played it back he thought it sounded really cute and insisted it be left in the final version. Pals say if he releases it as a single, it should be listed as Sir Paul McCartney featuring baby Bea.” [...more...]

TOM HANKS' WIFE BATTLES THE BEATLES SELLER

TOM HANKS' wife RITA WILSON is in the middle of a legal battle over the non-payment of a THE BEATLES poster. The actress agreed to pay $75,000 (GBP50,000) for a vintage picture of the Fab Four for her husband - provided the seller, Melissa Pearl could provide proof of authenticity, according to papers filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court. When Pearl was unable to do so, Wilson backed out of the deal, reports celebrity website TMZ.com. Pearl is now demanding payment for the print - as well as an additional $300,000 (GBP200,000) "for what Peal absurdly characterised as her time and trouble to obtain the evidence requested by Wilson that the poster was authentic." Wilson is looking for a judge to legally declare she can walk away from the agreement. SOURCE

McCartney Thinks of Lennon When Writing New Music

Even when Paul McCartney makes new music, he still thinks of how John Lennon would do it. McCartney is putting out an album as The Fireman on Tuesday. It's a collaboration with Killing Joke bassist Youth. McCartney tells the BBC he wonders how his material would sound if The Beatles were still around. He says he thinks, "Would that work with The Beatles, or would this be a good Wings song? Would John like this? What would George play on this?" It goes further than that, though. He says he also thinks, "How would Elvis have sung it?" He says he thinks "all those little thoughts because it's cheap." AP

MCCARTNEY WANTS DYLAN FOR NEW ALBUM

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY is eyeing an album of collaborations with BOB DYLAN. The former Beatles star is a big fan of the rock icon and is keen to team up with Dylan in the studio. But Dylan isn't the only artist MCCartney wants to work with. He says, "Bob Dylan would be lovely (to collaborate with), because I admire him. "And I was thinking the other day maybe David Byrne, because I like him too." SOURCE

Beatles, White Album: Why Don't We Do It in the Doll's House?: A Peer Inside the Beatles' White Album

I remember what they sounded like. As obnoxious as auctioneers, the loud, peppy DJs on the Top 40 radio stations crammed in as many words as they could between commercials and hit songs that grew increasingly stale, but the disc jockeys on the underground station were low-key. With deep voices, they spoke slowly and softly, and listening to them it was easy to imagine bearded hippies with an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure rock ‘n’ roll. They never played hit singles, and they waited until several songs played before they identified anything, which was frustrating to someone trying to become familiar with at least a small fraction of the overwhelming amount of rock ‘n’ roll that was out there. It really didn’t matter, though: At that point, I still had to hear most songs several times before they penetrated. [...more...]

John Lennon Sold His Soul To The Devil

The latest Lennon looney to get a book deal is a guy named Joseph Niezgoda. Niezgoda, clearly a man with too much time on his hands, has written a book claiming that John Lennon sold his soul to the devil. The book, The Lennon Prophecy, even found a publisher. New Chapter Press is about to actually put this thing out. In the official press release about the book, it states, “Clues foretelling the death of Lennon are revealed in album covers such as Rubber Soul, Yesterday and Today, A Collection of Beatles Oldies, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Yellow Submarine, Magical Mystery Tour, Abbey Road as well as Lennon solo albums Imagine and Walls and Bridges. [...more laughs here...]

The Macca Lad: Paul McCartney On Being A Punk And Avoiding The Credit Crunch

Former Beatle Paul McCartney revealed that he is a fan of punk music – in particular The Sex Pistols and their snarling 1976 yob anthem, 'Pretty Vacant'. The multi-millionaire also confessed that he was briefly worried about the credit crunch – even though he is one of the world's richest musicians. When asked what he thought of punk when if first emerged in 1977 he replied: "At first it was shocking, because until then you'd known the status quo. It hoped to be shocking and in some ways it was. But the thing was thtat the music was great and suddenly realised, after a day or two of horror – [ADOPTS POSH VOICE] 'My God! What's going on! What's happening to our England?!' – that these guys were just shaking it up and it needed shaking up." [...more...]

HARRISON'S WIDOW 'TORN' OVER DECISION TO RELEASE TRACK

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY's plan to put out an unheard BEATLES' track has been dealt a setback - his former bandmate GEORGE HARRISON's widow OLIVIA is reportedly undecided about agreeing to its release. MCCartney announced earlier this week (17Nov08) he wanted fans to finally hear the Fab Four's 1967 experimental tune Carnival of Light. The singer allegedly attempted to include the 14-minute song on previous Beatles Anthology albums but was blocked by Harrison - who disliked the composition because he felt it was too avant-garde. Now MCCartney is reportedly set to face opposition from the late guitarist's wife, who - along with John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono - must give permission for the song to be released under the Beatles' name. A source tells Britain's Daily Express newspaper, "Olivia is well aware George didn't like Carnival of Light. It's inevitably going to be difficult for her to give the go-ahead." SOURCE

MCCARTNEY WANTS TO PLAY IN CHINA

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY wants to perform a gig in China - despite previously declaring he would boycott the country over its animal rights record. The vegetarian rocker announced in 2005 he would never hold a concert in the Asian country after watching footage of dogs and cats being killed for their fur in Guangzhou. But now the former Beatle has named China as the one nation he dreams of visiting. When asked in a radio interview where he would like to perform next, the star replied: "I've never played in China, I'm kind of interested to see what that's like. There's lots of places I've never played, but I think China would be the answer." MCCartney played a peace concert in Tel Aviv, Israel in September (08) - four decades after the Fab Four were banned by the government over fears they would corrupt the nation's youth. SOURCE

Forty years on, McCartney wants the world to hear 'lost' Beatles epic

For Beatles fans across the world it has gained near mythical status. The 14-minute improvised track called 'Carnival of Light' was recorded in 1967 and played just once in public. It was never released because three of the Fab Four thought it too adventurous. The track, a jumble of shrieks and psychedelic effects, is said to be as far from the melodic ballads that made Sir Paul McCartney famous as it is possible to imagine. But now McCartney has said that the public will have the chance to judge for themselves. [...more...]

Rare Beatles Album "White Album" Up For Auction On eBay

A rare Beatles album has gone up for sale on eBay. The Fab Four's "White Album" will be up on sale until November 23 on the online auction site. Their ninth album, which officially called "The Beatles," was released on November 22, 1968, and has the number one position in the "200 Rarest Records of All Time" by Record Collector magazine. The copy on sale has a number of 0000005, the lowest number to emerge to date. Copies 0000001 to 0000004 were given to the band's members and have not come out onto the market. As of Friday, the item has 3 bids, the current is at 1,070 pounds or around $1,600. Its reserve price has not yet been met.

Playing the Beatles Backwards: Countdown Songs

To most Beatles fans, choosing between the songs of the Fab 4 is a bit like choosing between children. But, on the JamsBio exclusive, Playing The Beatles Backward, one intrepid fan dares to rank the original songs of The Beatles and give his reasons why in a worst-to-first countdown. Check back each day for the next five songs on the list, prepare to hit the message boards to defend your favorites, and follow the countdown all the way to Number 1. Want to play along? Or just check it out? Very interesting: Click Here

NEWS MCCARTNEY GIVEN ROYAL BACKING

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY has been given the royal seal of approval - with a dedication from QUEEN ELIZABETH II's official composer. The Beatles legend has received a prestigious nod from Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who holds the post of Master of the Queen's Music in the U.K. Davies is responsible for writing music to commemorate important state events. And he has shown his respect for McCartney - by dedicating his latest piece, Liber Pulsationis Fabulatoris, in recognition of the rocker's contribution to music. The 20-minute choral work will be performed at Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral next month (Dec08). He says, "Paul is as great as Schubert and still has not received the full recognition that his talent deserves. This country has produced one of the greatest musical talents ever and we should appreciate and celebrate that loudly." Press Release

KILLERS IN AWE OF JOKER MCCARTNEY

THE KILLERS frontman Brandon Flowers has revealed his shock at a chance meeting with SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY - the BEATLES legend was dressed as veteran rocker ALICE COOPER. The Mr Brightside hitmakers were in awe of MCCartney after meeting him backstage following the group's gig at the Royal Albert Hall in London. And Flowers reveals the Las Vegas foursome were even more shocked to see their hero prancing around in a Cooper mask. He says, "We were waylaid in the corridor by someone on the way back to the dressing room - it was Paul MCCartney and he was wearing an Alice Cooper mask. He was dancing around and then he took it off and introduced himself. "At first, we all just stared at him. What do you say to Paul MCCartney? Eventually, we got chatting and he told us that it had been a great show.
"Meeting a Beatle was daunting. People in Britain know what an important band they were. But when you come from the States that feeling is magnified. They were untouchable." SOURCE

BEATLES TOUR MANAGER DEFENDS CRITICISM OF ONO

The BEATLES' former tour manager has defended his decision to speak out about JOHN LENNON's wife YOKO ONO - insisting fans need to know the truth about her role in the band's history.
Tony Bramwell recently penned his memoirs, titled Magical Mystery Tours, about his life with the Fab Four - and the book featured some harsh criticisms of Ono, who married the late Lennon in 1969. Bramwell accused Ono of contributing to the disintegration of the legendary band and even suggested her interest in Lennon was based on his vast fortune.
But the writer insists he did not aim to upset Ono - he just wanted to tell another side to the story. He says, "I have no axe to grind against Yoko. I wanted to let Beatles fans know the real stories about what it was like when Yoko came into John's life and the problems she caused for the Beatles, their fans and the staff at Apple." SOURCE

Burglars loot shop but miss a gem: John Lennon's old spectacles

His eyewear store in the Northgate mall was ransacked and some $200,000 in cash and merchandise stolen, but optometrist Hermann Dungs was upbeat: Burglars missed his most valuable item - a pair of John Lennon's eyeglasses. San Rafael police Thursday continued to investigate the weekend burglary, which wiped out Dungs' Visionary Opticians store of eyeglasses, computers and cash. But a pair of the familiar round lenses worn by the Beatle more than three decades ago was one of the few items left - with a value of about $300,000 by Dungs' estimation. "At this point, it is funny to me," said Dungs, of Fairfax. "Stuff happens." [...more...]

HEDRIX DRUMMER DIES

Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell has died, it has been confirmed. The legendary musician was found in the Benson Hotel, Portland, Oregon in the early hours of Wednesday. Mitchell, aged 61, is said to have died from natural causes and a medical examiner confirmed no autopsy would take place. He was part of the ongoing Experience Hendrix show and had previously also played with Eric Clapton, John Lennon and Keith Richards. [...more...]

McCartney buries Eleanor Rigby claim

Paul McCartney on Wednesday shot down suggestions that his Beatles song "Eleanor Rigby" was inspired by a hospital scullery maid after a woman claimed the star had sent her a pay slip signed with that name. "Eleanor Rigby is a totally fictious character that I made up," McCartney said in a statement released to AFP by his publicists. If someone wants to spend money buying a document to prove a fictitious character exists, that's fine with me," he said, referring to a forthcoming auction of the document. [...more...]

Manuscript Reveals Clues to Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’

U.K. newspaper the Daily Telegraph reports that the uncovered document “is a 97-year-old salary register from Liverpool City Hospital.” The name E. Rigby is printed on the register, and she is identified as a scullery maid. Rigby’s grave has also been found at St. Peter’s churchyard in Woolton, Liverpool, near the 1957 meeting place of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. [...more...]

Paul Mccartney Looking Forward To Meeting The Obamas

Paul McCartney says that he's thrilled with the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election, and was hoping that Barack Obama would win. McCartney spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday (November 6th) at the MTV Europe Awards where he was presented with a special Ultimate Legend award at Liverpool's Echo Arena. McCartney hinted that he's up for performing a certain 1965 Beatles classic for the Obamas at the White House: "I was like so fingers crossed that he would win it. There was always that idea that (Senator John) McCain might sort of slip in. So, I'm just so chuffed. I think a lot of people are, anyway, but I am. I think he's sincerely the man for the job, I think it's a legendary occasion, and I wish him the very best. And I hope to get the opportunity to sing a song that he'd like to sing to his wife. I have a little song ready for him -- (sings) 'Michelle, come on.'" McCartney's latest Fireman album, Electric Arguments, will be released on November 18th. [...more...]

John Lennon Would Approve Of Obama

Yoko Ono was moved to tears of joy when it was announced that Barack Obama was going to be the next President of the United States and she says her late husband John Lennon would have approved. In a posting to her Facebook friends, Yoko wrote: [...more...]

Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby''s identity revealed?

Paul McCartney has revealed the identity of the woman who inspired The Beatles' 1966 song 'Eleanor Rigby'. McCartney donated a hospital accounts log from Liverpool's City Hospital to the Sunbeam Trust charity, which revealed that an E. Rigby was a scullery maid who worked at the hospital. [...more...]

STARR'S FAN ABUSE

RINGO STARR lashed out a fan who accosted him after the World Music Awards - launching into a foul-mouthed tirade, according to reports. The former Beatle was leaving the ceremony in Monte Carlo, Monaco on Sunday night (09Nov08) after picking up the Diamond Award on behalf of the group, when a fan grabbed him for a hug. Starr reportedly told the woman to, '"F**k off!" A bystander tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "A middle-aged woman ran over and threw her arms around him, almost knocking him over. "Ringo was a bit shocked, he just wanted to get away. After he shouted at her she looked absolutely stunned, but he just walked away." And Starr was left so annoyed he confronted a camera crew who were trailing him for a chat. The witness claims the musician shouted: "Get away from me. I'm not doing that now. I'm not doing interviews." It isn't the first time Starr has upset his fans - last month (Oct08) he told supporters he would refuse to sign any future autograph requests. He later backtracked on the statement due to the furore from his loyal followers. [...more...]

Paul McCartney regrets using pseudonym for new album

(ANI): Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he regrets releasing his new and most cutting-edge album in years under a pseudonym. McCartney, 66, who had been crowned MTV Europe Awards Ultimate Legend in Liverpool this week, had released his dance album Electric Arguments under his alter ego The Fireman, and it is to hit shelves on November 24. Trendy Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe has described his single Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight as the hottest record in the world right now. Paul has been rather taken aback by the initial very positive response and now regrets the albums getting a rather low-key release under his Fireman pseudonym, the Daily Express quoted a source as saying. With the benefit of hindsight, he would have put it out as an official Paul McCartney album, the source added. (ANI)

High-jinks and pillow fights as Macca receives Legend gong

The MTV Europe Awards seemed to bring out the high spirits in everyone, and perhaps the location had something to do with it. Thursday's ceremony was held in Liverpool where an ecstatic crowd witnessed local hero Paul McCartney receiving the music channel's Ultimate Legend award. When U2 frontman Bono introduced the former Beatle on stage as "the man who invented my job" the 10,000-strong audience erupted in a deafening roar. "On the way here Paul McCartney, who was driving the car, was pointing out every place in Liverpool," the Dubliner told them. [...more...]

Beatles boot camp gives amateur rockers chance to play at Cavern Club

A ROCK ‘n’ roll fantasy camp which gives members a chance to perform alongside their music idols came to Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club last night. It was the finale of a week-long Beatles-themed extravaganza which also saw the “campers” play and record at Abbey Road studios in London. [...more...]

The Beatles in Scotland: Stuart Sutcliffe's story

THE legendary cover of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a who's who of humanity, a jigsaw puzzle of pop art and the ultimate expression of hero worship. Occultist Aleister Crowley stands beside screen siren Mae West. Marlon Brando is a few steps from Oscar Wilde. Marilyn Monroe is sandwiched between wartime comedian Tommy Handley and author William Burroughs. [...more...]

BONO GIVEN PERSONAL TOUR OF LIVERPOOL BY MCCARTNEY

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has given U2 rocker BONO a personal tour of his native Liverpool, England. The former Beatles star collected the Ultimate Legend prize at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Thursday (06Nov08) from the Beautiful Day singer. And to show his gratitude, MCCartney took Bono around his hometown, showing him the places that inspired the Fab Four's hits. MCCartney says, "I love Liverpool. There is nothing like coming home." And Bono admits it was something of a surreal experience because MCCartney is treated like royalty. He jokes, "It was like being in the Popemobile with the Pope driving." SOURCE

Paul McCartney Thanks Obama In Awards Speech

Paul McCartney mentioned Barack Obama in his acceptance speech at the MTV Europe Music Awards this week in Liverpool. Sir Paul thanked the American people “for voting for Mr. Obama”. Backstage, he said that like many he had his fingers crossed for Obama in this election and had a special song for the wife of the new America leader, his old Beatles classic ‘Michelle’. [...more...]

McCartney to get MTV legend award

Sir Paul McCartney is to be honoured with a specially-created Ultimate Legend award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in his home city of Liverpool. The former Beatle is not expected to play at Thursday night's show but will pick up his prize in person, MTV said. It said the award was created to honour "one of the most formative influences on the music scene on a global scale". [...more...]

When we were Beatlemaniacs

When Paul McCartney wrote “When I’m 64” half a century ago, he was a 16-year-old lad who couldn’t possibly have imagined how incredibly famous he’d become. Even in 1967, when that song came out, there was no guarantee the phenomenally popular Beatles would still be adored this far down the road. [...more...]

MTV's Beatles Deal due to Activision Attitude

It would appear that MTV managed to secure the rights to the songs of The Beatles because Activision came on a little superior during the deal making. Reuters would have us believe that Activision's CEO, Bobby Kotick, might not have been too flexible when it came to who was going to pay for the songs inclusion. [...more...]

The Beatles in Scotland: George Harrison's story

NOBODY gave the long - haired hobo and his hippie wife a second glance as their train sped into Scotland. But the tramp was none other than Beatle George Harrison heading for Skye with model wife Patti Boyd to visit folk legend Donovan. Details of the secret visit only emerged in 2007 when Patti discovered long-lost photos of George gazing out across the Cuillins. [...more...]

A piano gave uniqueness to the Beatles’ Hard Day’’s Night’’s opening chord

A Dalhousie University mathematician has a mystery as to why the opening chord to The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’’s Night” is completely different than anything found in the literature about the song to date. Jason Brown’s work attains significance as no one quite knew exactly what chord Harrison was playing for 40 years. He has found that there was a piano among Harrison’s 12-string Rickenbacker, John Lennon’s six-string guitar and Paul McCartney’s bass guitar, and that they collectively accounted for the problematic frequencies. [...more...]