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News from October 2001 to September 2002
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October 2001
Paul and Heather were involved in a car accident on October 15, 2001 in East Hampton, Long Island when their rented Hertz car collided with another car and veered into a tree. They were on their way to catch a helicopter to New York city. Paul complained of back pain but did not go to the hospital. Heather was not injured. The driver of the other car, Rhonda Brown admitted she pulled out in front of him at an intersection and commented on how Paul emerged from his car and gave her a big hug as she sobbed. He said, "It's okay luv." She said she had dreamt of meeting him but never like this. Brown had stopped at a stop sign and edged out into the intersection when McCartney clipped her at 54 mph, swerving to avoid her and hitting a tree. The speed limit was 30mph. Both cars had to be towed away. Rhonda's car had $8,000 worth of damage and she had a slight injury to her arm. Paul did not have his driver's license with him at the time but was not cited. Neither driver was ticketed. The police took Paul and Heather to the heliport.
One news service claims that Paul is using a urinal on the cover of "Driving Rain." See for yourself.
To order Paul's new album at Amazon.com go to this link or click album cover.
Click on the graphic to go to Paul's Web site and e-mail a camera watch photo by Paul to your friends. Here's another link to send more of Paul's watch photos to your friends.Also check the Capitol Records Web site for some interesting links.
Visit the NEW "Driving Rain" Web site at paulmccartney.com New merchandise has been added to the Paul McCartney Shop.
Famed Beatles documentary filmmaker, Albert Maysles is working on a documentary about Paul and the "Concert For New York City"(October 20, 2001). Maysles followed Paul arround for five days prior to the concert shooting footage that he says will take six months to edit. Paul asked that the film be shot in black and white like the original documentary Maysles did back in 1964 called, "The Beatles First U.S. Visit."
After the Concert for New York, party-animal Paul and fiancee Heather Mills partied at the Hudson hotel, (scooped here)until 5am! He and Heather danced to "Mustang Sally" performed by Dan Aykroyd, Jim Carrey and Sheryl Crow at the private party. Paul joined the impromptu celebrity band onstage donning a fireman's hat and sang "I Saw Her Standing There." Access Hollywood had video from the party on the October 23 show. Photo, Paul wearing fireman hat. More photos backstage and at the after-party. Click here.
"The Concert for New York City," Paul McCartney's concert to support the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack in New York City took place at Madison Square Garden on October 20.The double-CD for the concert is now available . Click this link or the album cover to order the CD. The DVD is also available. Click here to order the DVD.
Lindsay Pagano's new album called "Love Faith and Inspiration" features a duet with Paul on her version of "So Bad." Click here to listen. Requires RealPlayer.
A photo book by Linda called "The Light From Within : Photojournals " has been released by Little, Brown. The book is 184 pages with color and black-and-white photographs with an Introduction from Paul. To order the book from Amazon.com Click HERE.
Paul was mobbed by fans as he and Heather arrived at the stage door of Queen's Theatre for his first ever London poetry reading. Paul participated in the "21st Poetry Olympics," a marathon celebrating the resurgence of verse in Britain on National Poetry Day, October 4, 2001. He read a new poem called, "Pretty Little Girl Next Door." Photos
In August of 2001 when Paul and Heather were shopping at Book Soup bookstore on Sunset Blvd., in Los Angeles a paper reported that Paul purchased a book called "Orgasm: Over 100 Truly Explosive Tips." Click the title to get yourself a copy at Amazon.com.
UNICEF is reproduced two of Paul's paintings: "Beach Towels" and "Prehistoric Antelope," courtesy of MPL. A box of eight blank note cards, (order No. 02450N) measuring 4 5/8" x 6 7/8" with four cards of each design and envelopes for $10.00 (shipping charge $4.50), that can be ordered directly through UNICEF. Checks should be made payable to "U.S. Fund for UNICEF," P.O. Box 1500, Louisiana, MO 63353-1500. AMEX, Visa, MC, and Discover Card users may order by phone (800) 553-1200.
Two tribute albums are currently available with a portion of proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of Linda McCartney. "Listen To What The Man Said: Popular Artists Pay Tribute To The Music Of Paul McCartney" include "My Brave Face" by SR-71, "Jet" by Semisonic, and a collaboration by Barenaked Ladies singer/guitarist Steven Page and keyboardist Kevin Hearn with Stephen Duffy of the Lilac Time on "Junk." Also included is "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Virgos, which is fronted by Creed fill-in bassist Brett Hestla."Coming Up: Independent Artists Pay Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney" features " Woman, Oh Why" by Ray Paul, "With A Little Luck" by the Masticators, "Somedays" by Phil Keaggy, "Take it Away" by the Jellybricks and "Another Day" by Cherry Twister to name a few.
November 2001
Paul appeared on November 10, 2001 at the premiere of his third classical piece and second oratorio, "Ecce Cor Meum" (Behold My Heart). The piece was written for the Magdalen College Choir in Oxford, England. Chelsea Clinton was in attendance and received a welcoming kiss from Sir Paul. An album of the work will be released sometime next year. Photos here.
Paul was in Vienna, Austria Saturday November 3 at Hofburg Palace to pick up a "World Arts Award" for his contributions to music at the "Men's World Day Gala 2001 (photos)."
Paul and Heather were at the partnership launch of Adopt-A-Minefield and the Mines Advisory Group to save lives in Vietnam, November 1 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Mills called for an end to bombing in Afghanistan. She said, I don't think it should have lasted any longer than a week. If anyone thinks bin Laden is still in Afghanistan they are a bit naive. I think he got out a long time ago."
December 2001
McCartney recorded "I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra" for the late, Ian Dury tribute album called "New Boots and Panties." The album was released in the US and is available from Amazon.com
Out on DVD, "Paul McCartney Live at the Cavern Club" , "Paul McCartney Get Back Live." and Paul McCartney & Friends - The PETA Concert for Party Animals.
The expanded television version of the "Wingspan" feature-length (88 minutes) special is out on VHS and DVD. Included in are vintage videos of "Jet" (1973), "Let 'Em In" (1976), and "Rockestra" (1979), 22 minutes of out-take material never seen by the public, an exclusive gallery of 100 photos taken by Linda and a specially-designed complete interactive discography (on the DVD). To order, click either link.
Here's your chance to have your name on a brick walkway in Liverpool and help support the Linda McCartney Centre which treats cancer patients. Go to this link and sign up for the "Walkway of Love for Linda McCartney." The bricks cost £50 ($75.00)
Paul has a Shop where you can buy offiical merchandise including the "Driving Rain" and tour merchandise.
More detailed information about the Wings era can be found in "Paul McCartney: I Saw Him Standing There." by Jorie Gracen. Also check out the 1976 Web page with photos of Wings in concert.
Paul's book of his poetry called "Blackbird Singing" is available. For more info about the book check out the Blackbird Singing Book Web Site. To order the 128 page book, go to this link, Blackbird Singing.
The spoken word song by Heather Mills, featuring Paul McCartney was released on Coda Records (distributed by Pinnacle Records, UK). Proceeds from the recording called "Voice" will go toward the Heather Mills Health Trust for the disabled. If you would like to donate to Heather's charity, send donations to: The Heather Mills Health Trust, How Park Barn, King's Somborne, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6QG England.
January 2002
Stella will open her second designer shop near Portobello Road in west London. She invested £1 million ($1.45 million) to renovate the property that was once a church. The shop will house an office, design studio and Indian restaurant. If all goes to plan, the store will be open by the end of the year. She plans to open a branch in New York as well.
February 2002
Paul and Heather partied after the Super Bowl at Windsor Court Hotel's Polo Lounge in New Orleans. Macca and his entourage, including his band members and security guards, arrived around 11:30pm and stayed for an hour. Paul ordered a Macallan single-malt scotch, on the rocks and a can of Coca-Cola. Heather drank a cosmopolitan. Pianist, Charlie Dennard who plays Beatles songs regularly at the lounge, was asked by Paul to play "The Very Thought of You" (Ray Noble). After Dennard finished the song, Paul asked him to play it again and this time Paul grabbed the microphone to serenade Heather and the crowd of 30 or 40 surprised bar patrons. "It was beautiful," Dennard said. "He was super nice and a good singer. It was very romantic."
Heather has resumed her modeling career as the model/spokesperson for the INC. (International Concepts) 2002 spring collection. She was at Macy's (Herald Square, NYC) on Friday, February 1, talking about INC. (Macy's private label) and signing autographs after the fashion show. The moderately priced clothing manufacturer donated $10,000 to the Adopt-A-Minefield charity and will continue to do so from sales of the fashions. Paul was not in attendance.
Paul has come to the aid of Polish horses that are exported and slaughtered for meat. The animals are treated inhumanely and Paul has joined the campaign with VIVA (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals) to stop the practice. He is donating Linda's new 2002 calendar full of horse photographs for the cause. "I love horses and have great respect for them," says Paul. "I believe they have the right to be treated with kindness, respect and love, for all they have done for the human race. These animals face up to five days road transport in overcrowded lorries, often without rest, food or water. They arrive dreadfully injured, exhausted, stressed and terrified and frequently dead." Linda's 2002 calendar will be available soon on the VIVA Web site.
Paul has become Britain's first ever "pop billionaire" according to a UK newspaper (Sunday Express) survey of the country's 300 wealthiest people. Estimates are that the pop star has £1.1 billion ($1.6 billion) and places 11th on the "Rich List 2002" with the number one position going to Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone with a reported £3.2 billion ($4.64 billion). McCartney's earnings from the "Beatles 1" album (£300 million/$435 million) and the inheritance from his wife Linda's (£200 million/$290 million) estate has seen his fortune increase over the last year making him a billionaire in Britain. Queen Elizabeth places 45th on list as the wealthest woman with a fortune of £450 million ($653 million).
March 2002
The richest figure in the UK music world is again Sir Paul McCartney, at £713 million ($1.3 billion), but still well ahead of second placed Lord Lloyd-Webber on £420 million ($609 million).
Paul and Heather party hopped after the Oscars. Starting first at the "Vanity Fair party at Morton's he was accompanied by no less than six body guards. Paul made a point to comment on women's gowns with a revelation about his desire for fashion design. "If I hadn't become a musician, I think I could have done well in fashion. I always have been intrigued with how we decide to dress ourselves ... and I do love color. ... But there would be no furs, of course," said McCartney. Meanwhile, Diana Ross jumping up and down on a bench cornered our favorite knight leaving the dance floor and suddenly enveloped him with her hair. Paul politely introduced Ross to his fiance Heather.At the "In Style" Elton John Oscar night benefit party held at the trendy Moomba restaurant, Paul met up with who's who of rock and Hollywood glamourElton John, Sting, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Collins, Ricky Martin, Sissy Spacek, Kevin Spacey, Kelsey Grammer, Daryl Hannah, Jon Voight, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and more. Paul was spotted dancing with the skimpily-clad, buxom Anastacia as Ryan Adams belted out his mix of country rock.
And lastly, Paul and Heather trailed off to Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein's exclusive
late-night soiree at the Peninsula Hotel and partied into the wee hours with Sissy Spacek, Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke, Ian McKellen and others. Afterwards he was spotted with Heather having a nightcap in the Beverly Hills Hotel lounge.Heather's designer outfit by Bruce Oldfield drew some attention at the Oscars. She picked Oldfield because he was the only one who would lend her a dress 10 years ago. She wore a two-piece sheer black lace bra top with a matching mid-length fluted skirt accented with emerald green and magenta sequins. To find out how Heather's outfit ranked on People's Best and Worst Dressed List click the link.
Paul and Heather were spotted shopping at the Equinox (women's workout clothes) boutique in New York city early this year. Paul was waiting in line to pay for $600 worth of clothes when a woman budged in front of him. Paul said, "Excuse me, there's no cutting-you'll have to wait." The woman got back to where she belonged but not before customers asked Paul for autographs. He told them he never signs autographs when he's shopping. The 21-year-old salesgirl at the cash register kept asking, "Who's that?" McCartney was so touched by the salesgirl's naïveté that after walking out, he returned a few minutes later to give her his autograph on the receipt.
Paul and Heather spent a romantic Valentine's Day (Feb. 14, 2002) playing board games (Snakes and Ladders) in their hotel room in New Forest, Hampshire, England. The Brockenhurst hotel is known for it's beautiful forest surroundings, exclusive restaurants, tea shops, pubs and stores.
Check out Stella McCartney's new fashion Web page.
Paul was so taken with the trained Bald Eagle named Challenger at the Concert For New York City, that he requested to take a photo with him. Named in honor of the late Space Shuttle crew, Challenger was blown from his nest in a storm before learning to fly. Rescued and raised by humans until fully grown, the young orphan became too domesticated to survive in the wild. One attempt to release the bird into nature nearly saw him beaten by a man with a stick. Challenger is billed as the first national bird in United States history trained to provide that glorious soaring act during the National Anthem for the USA.
April 2002
When Paul was in Chicago, (April 7-13, 2002) he went with Heather to a restaurant called Spiaggia. Executive chef Tony Mantuano greeted the couple and asked what they would like to eat. He determined their likes and dislikes and went to work. "They are really into food," said Mantuano. "They like arugula, porcini mushrooms. The chef put together a meal that reflected those ingredients." In no time, he created an all-vegetarian, five-course tasting."They were very clear on what they like," said Mantuano. "They were so easy to talk to. They made you feel comfortable," he said. "They were so normal that I was thrilled" to have the experience. The tasting menu drew rave reviews from McCartney, who went back to the kitchen several times to offer praise and urge Mantuano to include it permanently among Spiaggia's offerings. The Paul-inspired food is now on the menu. Here's what Paul and Heather had for dinner.The vegetarian tasting menu starts with fresh burrata cheese with Ligurian pesto, sweet tinkerbell peppers, dried tomato and a long stem artichoke. A timbale of seasonal vegetables and an asparagus risotto follow. The next course is wood-roasted porcini mushrooms with Umbrian black truffle sauce, and white corn polenta with garlic and herbs. McCartney and Mills passed on dessert, but the tasting menu includes a warm bittersweet Valrhona chocolate tart with toasted almond sauce. (That night the prominent pair also opted for the arugula salad with shaved, pressed ricotta cheese, toasted hazelnuts and balsamic mustard vinaigrette, which already is on the Spiaggia menu.) The "McCartney menu" is a mere $75 a person.
Paul donated a generous sum of money to the Chicago Firefighters who are raising funds for a memorial park for fallen colleagues.
Heather Mills received an advocacy award from the Center for International Rehabilitation in Chicago on April 8. Paul accompanied her and did some on the spot interviews with the media. The couple mingled with Chicago Mayor Daley, Ted Turner and William Kennedy Smith who is the head of the charity. Heather talked about Adopt-A-Minefield and at one point during her speech showed off her artificial leg, rolling up her pant leg to mid-calf, while Paul made 'cat call' whistles. The event lasted until 9pm and the couple upon exiting were beseiged by charity patrons and fans. Paul politely refused to sign autographs. When asked about his upcoming two concerts in Chicago he said, "I'm going to rock Chicago!" See Photos on my "Meet Paul McCartney" Web page.
Paul stopped the auction of his own handwritten lyrics for the song, "Hey Jude," which he says disappeared from his home. The matter is now in High Court. The lyrics were sent for auction by Frenchman, Florrent Tessier who bought them in Portobello Road, Notting Hill, when he was a student in 1971 or 1972. Tessier said he had no idea the lyrics were genuine until he had them authenticated six years ago. The lyrics were to go on auction at Christie's in London and were expected to fetch £80,000 ($120,000). They will remain at Christie's until the court decides ownership. Christie's had proposed that Paul bid on the lyrics instead of going to court but the judge found that to be a "highly unattractive proposal."
Paul McCartney has given away tickets worth $25,000 for his concerts in Washington, D.C. The tickets are for the families of those killed in the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. McCartney said the 180 victims tended to be forgotten because of the enormity of the New York attack. His spokesman said McCartney felt very emotional about it.
May 2002
Paul threw Heather's £15,000 ($21,000) engagement ring out of a hotel window after a spat according to News of the World and The New York Post. The ring was later found in the grounds of Miami's Turnberry Isle Resort and Club where the couple were staying during the Florida dates of the Driving USA tour. The fight took place after the couple returned to the hotel after the final Fort Lauderdale show of Macca's American tour on Saturday, May 18. They checked into a fifth-floor suite and, by 3 o'clock the following morning there were sounds of a row. Though it was a rainy night, a number of balcony doors were open and guests rang reception to complain. Paul was said to be shouting, "I don't want to marry you. The wedding's off. We'll cancel it." A security guard at the resort, where suites cost at least £1,000 ($1,500) a night, said, "We patrol the grounds through the night and we radioed the guard nearest and warned him about the fight. He was practically below their balcony when he heard McCartney going on about cancelling the wedding. He kept yelling he wanted to call it off. Then suddenly McCartney appeared on the balcony and threw the ring out and stormed back inside. There was more screaming then it went quiet."Guests' complaints were reported to Mr. Gimmi, who was working that night. He phoned the couple's suite but was curtly told by a breathless McCartney, "Everything's fine. There's nothing to worry about." Within minutes, Macca had had a change of heart, called the hotel operator and said, "I'm so sorry. Could you possibly help me find my fiancee's ring?" The ring was found after the couple left the hotel for London and the person who recovered it received a $1,650 tip from McCartney. Paul bought hotel assistant manager Rudolph Gimmi a first-class plane ticket to London so the ring could be hand-delivered.
Rumours began to surface of the couple's fiery relationship, including one incident where they had a stand-up spat at a London restaurant. One diner recalled, "One minute they were facing each other over their meals. The next, Sir Paul was out of his seat and the two of them were shouting at each other."
According to Sunday People, Paul's designer daughter Stella has refused to talk to her dad in a month over a family rift because she is upset over her father's impending marriage to Heather Mills. One friend said, "Stella thinks Heather saw Paul as vulnerable and pounced on him like a preying mantis. Now she's dragging him up the aisle." Stella - who at 30 is only four years younger than Heather - is convinced she is trying to take the place of her late mum Linda and is said to have branded Heather a "preying mantis". She was so upset when Heather waved the peace sign at her fashion show which was Linda McCartney's signature gesture that she banned Heather and her father from the fashion show after-party. A family source admitted, "There is an uneasy silence between Sir Paul and Stella about the wedding. In Stella's eyes it has been done with indecent haste. Stella was furious when Heather claimed she could not make a classy enough gown - and branded her future stepmum's dress sense "tarty."
Heather Mills went for a make-over before her bachelorette party and got a parking ticket. A meter maid struck as Macca's fiancee spent 90 minutes pampering herself at a salon in Brighton, East Sussex. Heather, left her C-Class Mercedes in a loading bay. She had a disabled permit in the window but got the ticket anyway. Story
The Sun Newspaper reports, Heather Mills has spent $75,000 (£50,000) fixing up her home for her bachelorette party before marrying Paul McCartney next week. Builders and decorators worked for two months to get the $1.5 million (£1million) seafront house ready by this Friday (May 31). More than 30 of Heather's closest celebrity chums are believed to have been invited to her home on the South Coast for the weekend party. One builder who has been involved in the project said, "There has been no expense spared. The house has been completely redecorated from top to bottom. New carpet, new wallpaper, you name it everything is brand spanking new. Several of the latest hi-tech TV screens and a new sound system have been installed. Work has been going on for two months but we were told to be out by Friday or we would not get paid." Soccer-mad Heather, also installed a £9,000 ($13,500) 5ft-screen TV so the girls could watch Sunday's (June 2) England World Cup game.
The May 31, New York Post reports on Page Six that McCartney's bride, Heather Mills, is shaping up as the Yoko Ono of the McCartney clan by coming between the former Beatle and his longtime friends and family. "None of the kids or his old friends like Heather," said one source. "They think she is only after Paul's money, and were outraged when they found out Paul and Heather were trying to have a child - it just cements her place in his will."Since McCartney started dating Mills in 1999, his children Mary, Stella, James and Heather feel that the blond amputee "has made him a different man." He now goes to showbiz parties and she drags him out everywhere - things that he never would have done before. The kids don't like what he has become.
"Heather controls him to a large extent, and has started dictating who he can talk to, who he can be friends with," our insider continued. Mills has even "turned Paul against a lot of his old friends - or at least the ones who don't like her." McCartney's rep, Geoff Baker, said, "The kids are fine. It makes for a better story if everyone's unhappy, doesn't it?"
Paul admitted his children were finding it difficult to accept his forthcoming marriage to fiancee Heather Mills. "They find it difficult to think of me with another woman," he told Britain's Sunday Telegraph magazine in an interview. "I think a second marriage is hard for the children," he said. "But it's how it is and how it must be, and I think that more than anything they want me to be happy -- and this is what makes me happy."
Paul McCartney's wife Heather Mills has come under attack in America over her charity for the victims of landmines. New York columnist Andrew Goldman has suggested that the 34-year-old bride of the former Beatle failed to register the organization for six years.
Last night the Charity Commission in the UK confirmed that the former swimwear model only registered the trust in 2000 after the commission "became concerned" and made an approach to her. "We contacted the trustees in December 1999 following concerns that the charity had not been registered and they subsequently made an application to us," said a spokesman. The application was accepted and we did not conduct a formal inquiry."
The Heather Mills Health Trust recycles prosthetic limbs and sends them to landmine victims in war zones around the world. Miss Mills, who lost her left leg below the knee after an accident with a police motorcycle in 1993, discovered that there were thousands of amputees in the UK with spare limbs in the cupboard. She toured the country collecting unneeded limbs and recruited free labor in prisons, training inmates how to take the limbs apart. Two years after launching the charity she had helped 10,000 amputee children.
A prolific public speaker, she has received awards for her charity work and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996. She began campaigning against landmines while living in Croatia in the early 1990s. She started another charity last year with Sir Paul (Adopt-a-Minefield). Supporters of the new charity pay to have land cleared of mines.
Last night Miss Mills's lawyer Stephen Taylor explained that she had decided against registration in the charity's earliest days. "She was advised that it was not worth applying for registration as this process was extremely costly and time-consuming for what was, at the time, a one-off project," he said. "Heather continued to work without registration as she did not feel that funds should be used for administrative matters." He said 150 people could be fitted with a second-hand artificial limb for the cost of registering the charity. Miss Mills decided to formalize the charity after she contracted dengue fever in Cambodia in 1999 and wanted to make sure it could continue regardless of her health. Supporters of the former model, who married Sir Paul in June, say she is driven by a determination to make her life better than it was before the accident. Story
Sir Paul's likeness has been used in a modern painting of Da Vinci's "Last Supper." The traveling exhibit called "The Diner" by Texan artist Greg Metz is a painting on wheels with famous vegetarians as Christ's disciples. One side shows the a compassionate dinner with vegetarians and the other side shows graphic depictions of animal cruelty. The showing was the brainchild of the People For Ethicial Treatment for Animals (PETA).
Paul was spotted at Blakes discount store in Brighton buying cut-rate summer clothes (T-shirts and a pair of shorts) for a grand total of $40 (£25).
Heather Mills will be making department store appearances in Tokyo as the spokesmodel for the INC clothing line during Paul's concerts in November.
Paul McCartney was the top concert earner in the first half of 2002 with ticket sales of $52.8 million, according to trade publication Pollstar.
When Paul was in south Florida (May 14 - 20, 2002) for his concerts, he and Heather were spotted at Baraboo, Miami Beach's most hidden haute restaurant. The couple feasted on spinach ravioli, carpaccio mozzarella, arugula salad and paglia e fienno. Macca was so impressed by the cuisine he went into the kitchen and complimented the very flattered chef Paulo de Barros. Paul and Heather also dined at another Miami Beach restaurant called The Forge Restaurant. While they drank 1997 Chateau Corton Grancey by Domaine Latour, Paul politely declined the numerous requests for autographs and photos. A nearby couple sent a note to McCartney's table announcing their Liverpool connection. Paul acknowledged with a "hullo" in his best scouse accent causing the woman to burst into tears.
Billboard gives insight to the Statue of Liberty backdrop Paul used during the song "Freedom." The CityKids Foundation created the 4-story (90 foot) banner backdrop called "CityKids Speak on Liberty." It was originally created in 1986 for the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty through a collaboration between the CityKids Foundation and late artist, Keith Haring who died of AIDs in 1990. The banner took 3 days to produce with the help of inner-city kids asked to write their personal thoughts with drawings about the meaning of liberty and freedom. Haring drew the black outline of the statue with happy dancing figures around it and the kids filled-in the rest.
AOL did a video interview with Paul which is at "Keyword: sessions." Or through this RealPlayer link. When asked about the meaning behind his song "Cuff Link" Paul said, "I'm not really sure. I'm having an Ozzie Ozbourne moment. Link? What the "f * k" is that? I'm not wearing any. Don't know man. I don't know. I'm sure there isn't a lot of meaning behind it. It's just a title."
Heather Mills called Paul McCartney by code names when they began dating so as to keep their relationship secret. They were Lord Jock of Dundee, Vladimir the Russian masseur and Mr. Patel.
Paul McCartney unveiled a painting dedicated to wife-to-be Heather Mills for the first time. It is one of only a handful of works he has completed since meeting his fiancee. The abstract painting, called "Big Heart," on display at Liverpool's Walker Gallery this week features a figure of a female nude is scratched into the surface of the painting, which is mainly of a large red heart shape. McCartney created it shortly after meeting Heather. Also on display is 1988 painting called "The Kiss," showing Sir Paul kissing his late wife Linda and "Hottest Linda" depicting her sunbathing.
Exhibition curator Michael Simpson said: "The life work of Paul McCartney is all about heart. Love and passion are resonant themes in his music and so too now in his paintings. 'Big hearts' is what he and Linda said they most wanted for their children and a big heart is what he now plainly has for Heather."The exhibit of more than 70 paintings, sculptures and photographs by McCartney, many unseen, will be on display at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool from May 24 to August 4, 2002. The exhibition is expected to break attendance records at the gallery with over 1,000 visitors a day expected. "The Art of Paul McCartney" is McCartney's first British art show and comprehensive exhibit to include his sculptures and photographs. There are two works incorporating digital photography, as well as some sculptures made of driftwood. None of the original works will be for sale but 25 signed copies of each of three pictures in the exhibition were sold at £1,000 each.
Wearing a denim jacket, sandals without socks and black trousers, Paul told the press gathered at the gallery, "The wedding plans are going fine. But I'm not telling you nothing." As for the critics, McCartney said he wasn't very interested in their opinions. "I'm not out to show the world what I can do. I'm not trying to impress anybody except myself. I think I've shown the world enough already. Some will like them and some won't. They're entitled to their opinions but I never read them. I really just do it for my own enjoyment. There's so much to learn, that's half the fun. Painting is just something I enjoy. I don't take it very seriously. A lot of these were done in the early 90s when I was on tour and I just wanted to paint on the days off. Some people don't like it. They think I'm getting a bit uppity, but I just enjoy painting. I like applying paint to canvases. I like the act of it. I'm making it up as I go along. That doesn't mean I know what I'm doing - but I know when to stop."
Paul and Heather attended the reception Thursday evening. Macca said that he hoped to play the UK soon, possibly Manchester. Friday 500 guests attending the launch of the exhibit including Paul's brother, Mike McCartney, film actress Rita Tushingham, Tony Blair's father-in-law Anthony Booth, and Peter Blake, the artist who designed the Beatles Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.The Walker Gallery had a contest to win a signed copy of Paul's painting book and a bag of goodies to coincide with "The Art of Paul McCartney" art exhibit. Three lucky winners were chosen.
Madonna and Stella had a "girlie chat" in the bathroom of London's San Lorenzo restaurant. Stella sat on the pot, with the door wide open during an intense conversation. A bathroom patron who just happed to work for the Mirror, wandered in and an embarrassed Madonna apologized for Stella and said, "I'm ever so sorry about her. It's a thing that she does. We always have a girlie chat and take a pee with the door open."
The day after the Anaheim show, May 5, Paul did some serious shopping on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. He was seen walking down the street by himself carrying lots of shopping bags.
U.S. President Bush filed his financial assets on Wednesday (May 15). The disclosure revealed presidential gifts Bush has decided to keep valued at $21,857. One of the gifts included a $310 hardcover copy of "The Beatles Anthology,'' given and signed by Paul McCartney.
Heather Mills is being investigated over a £250,000 ($365,000) charity appeal. The Charity Commission in the UK according to the Sunday Mirror is probing the distribution of collected funds by a charity called The Lions Charitable Trust which Heather is said to have launched in April 2001 to help earthquake victims in India. Supposedly the charity made a plea in a magazine for people to donate £20 to help buy limbs for earthquake victims.A Charity Commission spokesman said, "I can confirm that The Lions Charitable Trust is not registered as a charity. We have been in contact with Heather Mills on several occasions over the past month. Following letters and telephone calls, we are seeking documentation to
confirm that funds have been distributed as Heather has indicated."Heather is now waiting for a report from India before replying to the Commission. Under the 1993 Charity Act anyone wishing to set up an appeal must register with the Commission.
A spokeswoman for Heather Mills said: "The Lions Charitable Trust is not Heather's charity. All she did was collect money for the trust and send it out to India. We sent all the money out there as it came in."
Indian charity Jaipur Foot yesterday confirmed it had received £25,000 ($36,500) from Heather for earthquake victims.
In 1995 Heather set up the Heather Mills Health Trust. But it was not until March 2000 that the trust was registered as a charity.
Paul did an online chat on MSN.com backstage at his Dallas concert on May 9. Here's the link to the transcript.
The "Driving Rain" album received a gold certification from RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) on April 29 for selling more than 500,000 copies in the U.S. and making this Paul's 22nd gold album as a solo artist.
Forty-one members of the Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir were in New York for a festival last month. After visiting ground zero, then singing the national anthem and "Amazing Grace" in St. Patrick's Cathedral, they weren't about to be thwarted when they spotted Sir Paul in the coffee shop of their hotel, The Wellington. A couple of girls decided to approach Paul while he was eating lunch in spite of choir director Mia Savage's warning to leave Paul alone. Sure enough, the ex-Beatle joined the entire group in the lobby. "We sang this really complex gospel piece," said Savage. "The kids just nailed it! Wow!" said McCartney lingering to pose for pictures with the group.
Check out Paul McCartneyshop.com for exclusive tour merchandise.
Regarding the high price of his concert tickets Paul said, I understand that's what you charge for these shows. I always say to my promoter: What does Madonna charge? Ding! What does Elton charge? Ding! What does U2 charge? Ding! And they always give me the ballpark figure. And that's what I charge. I try to get it on the cheap side. This ain't Streisand. We're not trying to take advantage. I hate to tell you, but I thought tickets were still at about $40. But I'm from the prehistoric ages. I just let the promoters do that. I say what do things cost, and they tell me, and I'm always shocked."
Chris Carter of "Breakfast With The Beatles" on KLSX 97.1 FM in Los Angeles, got a surprise call on his Sunday Show (May 5, 2002). He asked a trivia question that nobody had the answer to: "What Beach Boys song does Paul appear on eating a carrot?"(answer, "Vegetables") The only caller that answered the question correctly (via cell phone) was Sir Paul himself. Paul requested Chris play "Here Today." Macca liked the interview so well with Carter that he sent his "Driving Rain" video crew over to the station to videotape the show. If it makes the cut it will appear on the tour DVD and on a TV special (ABC) about the tour. Story
A sore throat is the reason why Paul did not perform the two songs he was supposed to on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. He sang an impromtu duet of "Let It Be" with Vicki Randall from "Tonight Show" band during the commercial break. When the show went into the commerical break, the band played "Let It Be" with Randall on vocals. Paul starting singing from his seat and after several seconds couldn't help himself and joined Vicki to sing a soulful version of the song. As she sang, "Let It Be" he put his arm around her and she stopped singing and said, "Oh no I can't do this. I'm too nervous." Paul said, "Oh come on, you can do it." The audience stood in awe, some crying. Security waved at them to sit down, but some refused to sit. Jay seemed disappointed that this all happened during the commercial break. Just seconds of it aired for the TV viewing audience when they came out of the break. During the breaks Paul waved to fans in the audience. He and Jay joked around and slapped each other on the backs like old buddies. Jay asked Paul to autograph a script of the show. Paul stood up and sat down a dozen times during the commercials and during the "Your Loving Flame" video to get the fans to react. The band played during commericals and Paul would sit and beat on an imaginary drum or snap his fingers getting into the music.
Pop singer Lulu's new duets album called "Together" (Mercury) featuring her collaboration with Paul on "Inside Thing" was released on May 20, 2002 in the UK.
June 2002
Paul and Heather jetted to the Seychelles Islands for a two week honeymoon two days after their Irish wedding. To insure their privacy they rented out the entire island of Cousine at a cost of £13,000 ($19,500) a week. The island is less than a square mile and lies in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. The couple's villa boasts a huge bedroom with spa bath, giant pool, bar and library. Views from the the bedroom are supposed to be breathtaking. They are going to Long Island to continue their honeymoon after they leave Cousine.
According to the Sunday People Newspaper Paul's daughter Stella begged him to call off his wedding just hours before the service insisting, "It's still not too late to change your mind." Her sister Mary joined the attack on the ex-Beatle's bride-to-be Heather Mills. An insider who witnessed the scene said, "The girls made it clear they thought their father was doing the wrong thing. They told their dad he still had time to pull out of the wedding but Paul was adamant he wouldn't change his mind."The insider said, "Family and friends didn't know where to look, it was that embarrassing. Paul tried to staycalm but was very hurt by his daughters' outburst. Since he began seeing Heather his children have always refused to accept her as their stepmum so he knew they disapproved. His children hadn't seen much of their father recently so perhaps it was Stella's and Mary's last chance to make a face-to-face plea to their dad."
The fight erupted when Paul talked through the wedding details as Heather slept in another wing. "He started telling the girls of his own pre-wedding nerves and I think they took it as a sign he was having reservations," said the insider. "Within minutes it was a full scale fight and when one of the girls suggested Paul could still cancel, he was outraged. It got so bad some of the other family members thought Stella and Mary might leave that night. But they stayed and kept out of their dad's way."
And as Stella and her sister mingled with the 300 guests - including brother James and half-sister Heather - they avoided Paul. They also stayed well clear when Heather showed off her diamond studded wedding ring.
Our source said, "In his speech Paul made no reference to the girls or any support they'd given him since Linda's death. He was trying to make sure it was a happy occasion." And our source struck an ominous note for the future by saying, "He's now made it clear where his priorities lie. He has also failed to build a bridge between his children and his new wife."
The News of the World claims the real reason Paul daughters refused to talk to his bride Heather Mills on her wedding day was because Stella and Mary believed their father would wear the ring from his marriage to their late mother forever. They were furious when he emerged in public with his new bride, no longer wearing the ring with a tiny jade heart or the gold family band he wore for years before Linda died of cancer four years ago.Instead he wore a gold and sapphire wedding band, believed to be his wedding ring to Heather, 34, who he married in Ireland on Tuesday.
Stories circulated in May that Paul threw Heather's £15,000 ($21,000) engagement ring out of a hotel window in Miami following a fight between the ex-Beatle and his bride-to-be. That bust-up was caused by Heather's request that Paul remove his wedding ring given to him by Linda. (The reason for the fight, first revealed here on the "Macca Report!") When Stella and Mary learned about Heather's demand, they hit the roof. In a bid to appease his bride, their dad removed Linda's ring from his finger the night before their lavish Irish wedding. In photos taken before the wedding Paul is wearing his customary two rings. But in the official shot he is only wearing the new single ring. As the couple posed for photographs before the ceremony, Paul's left hand remained out of sight in his trouser pocket. A source revealed, "Stella and Mary never spoke a single word to Heather at the wedding. The two girls made their feelings blatantly obvious."
He began wearing the wedding ring with a jade heart in the early seventies, a gift from Linda. He was forced to purchase a replica following his arrest for drugs in Tokyo in 1980 when police lost the original.
Paul McCartney's daughters walked out of his wedding bash "as soon as they could". Pals said fashion designer Stella and her 7-month pregnant sister Mary, left more than three hours before the bash ended because they objected to Macca marrying Heather Mills. While the newlyweds partied until the early hours, the former Beatle's daughters were tucked up in bed by midnight. Photographer Mary - who at 32 is just two years younger than Heather - told one pal she attended the wedding "under duress" and that she and Stella, 30, left as "soon as was polite". Mary's pal said, "She had to go to the wedding for the sake of her father, but all his children were against him marrying Heather. "By leaving early, Mary and Stella made it obvious how they were feeling." (The Sun)
Heather reportedly signed a prenupt agreement that would give her £20 million ($30 million) if there was a divorce. The prenupt was insisted upon by Stella who was adamant about it. Paul was reluctant but they both went ahead with it. Later Paul denied that there was any prenupt.
McCartney said in a recent interview: "I think a second marriage is hard for the children, no matter who it is.""The children are devastated," claims one source.
The source contends that Mills is "totally jealous of Paul's late wife, Linda. She freaks out when Linda's name comes up." Recently, when they were in Los Angeles, they quarreled so badly over Linda that Mills moved out.
"She went to stay with friends," says the friend. "They got back together, made up and they went on Jay Leno. Paul tried to make up for it all by never mentioning Linda on Leno."
"Doing press and promotions all the time now is for her. He started to do that with Heather so she could launch herself. He and Linda stayed home. It's so that it will be more about her, and less about Linda."
Paul Freundlich, McCartney's New York publicist called talk of spats over Linda "ridiculous."
"This is a happy period in Paul's life," said the rep. "I don't understand why people would want to throw stones at Heather. She's unbelievably supportive. I don't see why anyone would want to deny them their happiness." (NY Daily News)
Paul is reportedly trying to buy up raunchy nude photos of Heather from her early modeling days that are popping up all over the net. The photographer is not willing to sell them to Sir Paul...yet.
Heather's self-designed? wedding dress is getting mixed reviews from wedding gown designers. Though knockoff artist Allen B. Schwartz just unveiled his cheapo version yesterday - to sell at Saks and Bloomies for $300 by summer's end - other bridalwear designers said she has no future in their field.And even Schwartz wasn't dazzled by her bridal frock - even though he's all set to cash in on it. "Although I didn't love it, it was a big wedding, and we felt we should have the dress," said Schwartz, who is notorious for knocking off Oscar gowns.
"A lot of second-wedding customers will buy it. It's not contemporary. But more sophisticated, more missy."
Paul reveals in the new "Hello Magazine" that he was smitten with Heather when they first met. "As soon as I met her I knew she was the one for me."
THE WEDDINGPaul married his fiancee Heather Mills in a $3.6 million fairly
tale wedding at Castle Leslie in the Republic of Ireland on June 11, one week before his 60th birthday!
Heather Mills wept as she exchanged vows with Paul in front of 300 guests at the Protestant Church of St. Salvator on the castle estate, Glaslough, Co Monaghan. Heather was 8 minutes late for the ceremony and fumbled her vows. She choked up as she said, "I do" weeping with what McCartney publicist Geoff Baker called "tears of joy."
The ceremony was performed by the Venerable Cecil Pringle Archdeacon of Clogher.
The bride's sister, Fiona Mills, and her brother Shane gave her away.
Mike McCartney walked his brother Paul into the church humming Irish band Thin Lizzy's hit "The Boys Are Back In Town." Mike said the unorthodox entrance won praise from former Ringo Starr. Ringo told me afterwards, 'I loved the entrance.' "
Instead of the traditional " Here Comes the Bride" Heather entered the church while the song "Heather" from "Driving Rain" album was played. As the newlyweds walked down the aisle after becoming husband and wife the organ played the "Wedding March" from the film "The Family Way," for which McCartney wrote the soundtrack in the Sixties.
Hymns were "Praise My Soul The King of Heaven" and "Lord Of All Hopefulness." Instead of a traditional reading, the couple's friend, poet Adrian Mitchell (the poet who helped put Paul's poetry book together "Blackbird Singing"), read "Roses In The Summertime," a work he wrote especially for the newly-weds.
Church wedding bells began ringing at 12:15am ET (5:15 BST) signaling that the 30-minute wedding ceremony was over.
MUSIC AND TENT DECOR
The ceremony was followed by a reception featuring five bands including Paul's touring band. New Jersey's R&B "Soul Solution "and the "Celtic Ragas" an Indo-Irish band. The reception lasted for 90 minutes and then the guests sat down for dinner.
Lilies and roses costing a staggering £100,000 ($145,000) especially imported from The Netherlands were delivered for the wedding. The fresh flowers were delivered in two 40-ft. refrigerated trailers. "We went to Holland to choose all the flowers," says Chris Ram, manager of Bill & Ben Flowers in London. "The type? The list goes on for five pages."
With an accent on peaches, reds and pinks, Michael Dendels of Eric Buter Baugh Flower Design at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles supervised the arrangement of thousands of roses, carnations and tulips into elaborate table centerpieces involving three glass vases set inside one another.There were elaborate decorations in the tent, including Indian silks and luxurious cushions with Paul and Heather's monogram on them for the guests to relax in.
THE CLOTHES
The bride, wearing a fitted ecru lace dress she designed herself with the help of two London designers Eavis and Brown and carried a bouquet of 11 pink McCartney roses - named for her new husband - and two peonies. Her hair was styled by Amanda Amos from Brighton and her make-up was by Mathew Alexander of Michael John.
Sir Paul chose to wear a Richard James hand-finished bespoke suit in dark chocolate, lined in deep purple silk. Set off with a Richard James
classic double-cuff shirt and one of his exquisite colorful pure silk ties, Sir Paul McCartney looked every inch the perfect modern English gentleman.
For extra luck Paul wore a "magic buttonhole" in his lapel. "Not only did he have a pink McCartney rose but he had a sprig from his Dad's lavender bush and his mother's favorite flowers - two buttercups - in his lapel.
CELEBS
Celebrity guests confirmed at the wedding were, Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach, actor Aidan Quinn, George Martin, tennis champion Monica Seles, actor Steve Buscemi (Bus scemi), Jools Holland, David Gilmour, Chrissie Hynde and Twiggy.
THE PASSWORD
Each guest was assigned a color- coded security number which allocated them a hotel room and a place at the reception. Anyone unable to whisper 'blue 52', or whatever, was not allowed in.
THE MEAL
Guests were served an Indian vegetarian feast of meal of mushroom pastry, salad, a roasted wheat dish, plus an Indian-style buffet accompanied with merlot, Australian chardonnay, gallons of champagne, and 150 kegs of Ireland's black Guinness beer to wash it all down.
PAUL'S RAP
After the meal, Sir Paul McCartney had his guests in fits of laughter when he rapped a song about his love for his new wife Heather at the reception. Paul was joined on stage by five rappers and dancers, then by his brother and best man Mike, and eventually Lady McCartney herself in the rap which ended with them revealing the location of their honeymoon - McCartney's house in the Hamptons, Long Island. More about the honeymoon later.
THE SPEECH
Paul's sense of humor flavored his speech when he recalled his Liverpool childhood. Guests laughed when he said, "Back then, I'd have had a wedding just to get the rice." He went on, "My trousers were so thin that if I sat down on a penny I could find out which way up it was - heads or tales." But Paul choked up with emotion when he told his guests that he felt George Harrison and John Lennon were probably looking down on him and wishing him well.
Heather took he microphone and sang to her new husband his favorite Beach Boys song,"God Only Knows."
THE VIDEO
Sir Paul and Lady McCartney screened a 10-minute video the theme of which was "kissing." The couple were filmed kissing some 20 times in 20 different countries around the world.
FIRST DANCE
Mike McCartney, introduced the first dance, Tony Bennett's "The Very Thought Of You." Paul and Heather's favorite song.
THE CAKE
The guests feasted on a 4ft high wedding cake made by Little Venice Cake Company who also made cakes for Madonna's wedding and Pierce Brosnan's. Macca's cake costed £3,000 ($4,500) more and was dark-chocolate based, with four double tiers, covered in white chocolate. There were also white roses, made out of white chocolate, over the top, and real pink McCartney flowers decorating the table it sat on.
THE RINGS
Throughout the reception, Heather showed off a stunning white gold ring inset with half a dozen white and yellow diamonds. Paul sported a gold and sapphire wedding band. And yes he finally took off his old wedding bands!
THE GIFTS
Gifts ran the gamut from a bread maker from Paul's cousin Kate Robbins to donations to Heather's land mine charity. One unique gift was a framed sketch of the couple from Paul's artist cousin Ian Harris. "What do you give a multi-millionaire?" said Harris. "At least this is different."
Mike McCartney gave the happy couple a frisbee with the initials "P" and "H". Paul tried it out tossing it around the castle walls.
The guests, most of whom contributed to Heather's charity, Adopt-a-Minefield UKwere given silver Waterman ball pens engraved with the words "Love Paul and Heather" before leaving at around 2am. Scores carried on partying at local hotels until dawn.
GRAND FINALE
The night's finale came at 1:20 am with a laser and firework display costing $145,000 (£100,000) as Sir Paul and Lady McCartney boarded a 40-ft vintage cabin cruiser boat and sailed across the castle's lake to a specially-built jetty. The craft was decked with flowers, and the couple stood under an arch of roses, waving farewell before later heading off in a helicopter to begin their honeymoon.
THE HONEYMOON
Paul and Heather are said to be spending their two-week honeymoon on the Seychelle Island of Cousine in the Indian Ocean, at a cost of $39,000. They will end up in Long Island to finish the honeymoon in August.
Paul rented the Castle Leslie for two weeks costing in upwards of $1,500 a day plus extra staff and security. Extra cost was involved for the removal of cattle on the property because of helicopters and fireworks that would spook them into a stampede. Port-a-potties were brought in for guests to use. The castle is not air-conditioned and the bathrooms/toilets are not modern. There are no phones or televisions in the rooms.
Paul was furious that BBC helicopters were flying over the church because the helicopter noise spooked a horse on an adjacent property causing it to run into an electrical fence. The animal later had to be destroyed.
There was a party at the castle for the family and friends on the eve of the wedding, June 10 where Paul played the drums. The party went on until almost 4am!
A food vendor took advantage of the hungry spectators outside the castle and workers charging $2.84 for a non-veggie "Big Macca" burger. "Paul McCartney has banned his crew from eating meat," said a contractor, who smuggled in hamburgers from the street vendor. "They get sacked if they are caught eating these."
A man was arrested at the gates of Castle Leslie after trying to drive through them before the ceremony. Security said he tried to enter the grounds with a guitar on the passenger seat of his car. A sergeant on the scene said, "I think it was a case of a man having too much drink and deciding to give the couple a song."
Paul had his stag party on Saturday June 1 at the exclusive Home House club in London. Paul's brother Mike, his son James and 15 close friends took part in the bachelor party.
Heather was so paranoid about damage to furnishings during her bachelorette party in her newly spruced-up home that the invite carried the condition that guests brought their own comfy footwear so not to damage the new carpets.The party on June 1 came the day after workmen finished a two-month £50,000 ($75,000) renovation at the £1million ($1.5 million), four-bedroom Brighton pad.
One pal said, "It was a great party and everyone had a really great night but we all thought the slippers rule was a bit strange. All the girls were glammed up in their very best outfits and having to put on a pair of slippers didn't really finish off the posh evening wear as we would have liked. We didn't really feel like we could have a wild time. We looked more like grannies than party animals. But no one complained as Heather is so incredibly proud of all the work she has had done on her home."
He's an impoverished trombonist who lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment and plays gigs in smoky nightclubs. Yet Shane Mills, 31, will soon call the world's richest musician his brother-in-law. Shane was staying tight-lipped, about his sister's wedding but confirmed he would be among the guests. "We see each other from time to time and keep in touch on the phone," Shane said. "Things between us are fine but Heather's a busy girl. She has a lot on her plate." For the man dubbed "The Lips" in musical circles and brother of Heather Mills, Shanes earns around £100 ($145) for the odd gig and admits he usually performs for free. Shane dreams of success one day with his own band Deep Fur. (Sunday Mirror)
Paul and Heather were spotted June 6 at a Brian Wilson concert at the Brighton Centre. Paul signed autographs for the small crowd of fans and posed for photos but Heather seemed eager to get away. The photographer for the Argus Newspaper in Brighton said, "She was reluctant to have her picture taken and was very sheepish about posing with Paul. After the photos were taken it was obvious that Heather was not wearing her engagement ring. A photo in the Sun Paper shows that the engagement ring is missing from Heather's finger but Paul is still wearing his wedding rings. This adds fuel to the rumor that the spat at the Ft. Lauderdale hotel where Paul supposedly tossed Heather's engagement ring over the balcony started because Paul promised to remove his wedding bands after the tour ended and changed his mind.
Another story centers on Mills' displeasure at learning her ring, valued at up to $40,000, was made at the expense of child laborers in the Jaipur region of northern India. A spokeswoman for Mills denies the story, claiming the former TV personality is perfectly happy with the ringWhile in Brighton, Paul passed by the Italian Suit Company in Duke's Lane and was asked by the store manager if he could come in and sign some limited edition Beatles T-shirts. The gracious star replied, "Yeah, no worries." Manager Tim Mycock said, "It was pure luck. I spotted them walking along the street outside the shop. I was a little bit nervous and said he must get this all the time but he was as nice as pie. Heather just seemed to go along with it all."
He signed three shirts with a marker pen while his fiancée looked on. Paul was given a T-shirt featuring pictures of the Beatles to keep. Mr Mycock said, "He was such a nice guy. I want to wish him all the best."
The shop has already sold more than 100 of the T-shirts and another 100 Beatles shirts, which are part of a Ben Sherman collection this season.
Heather Mills did not seem to be in the best of moods at Monday evening's Jubilee concert, June 3. One VIP told reporters, "She seemed downbeat and glum though at least she was wearing her engagement ring." However, when some reporters approaced her asking if perhaps had already become Mrs. Paul McCartney, Heather flashed them a big smile, and said in reply, "Sorry, girls, I can't comment."
Rumors that the couple were already wed began to circulate on Monday when they arrived at Buckingham Palace for the concert rehearsals. Sir Paul's publicist, Geoff Baker's only response to the question was, "I can tell you we are all very happy."
At the Queen's Jubilee concert - "Party at the Palace" Paul opened alone on acoustic guitar with "Your Majesty," saying "I had to do it," followed by "Blackbird." Then George Martin came out and made a speech about the Beatles and George Harrison. Then Eric Clapton came out and sang, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Paul on piano and Phil Collins on drums. The next song was "Sgt. Pepper's Reprise/The End" (Driving USA version) where Paul was joined by Rusty, Abe and Brian and Wix, who was in the house band. "All You Need Is Love" followed with the British Anthem at the beginning of the song and Rod Stewart leading off on vocals joined by all the performers onstage. Joe Cocker and Paul sang a verse as well. When the song finished, the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince Philip, Princes William and Harry, George Martin and Shirley Bassey greeted the performers onstage. Prince Charles made a speech about all the musical talent in Britain. When the royalty family left Paul told the audience, "I said to Her Majesty, are we are doing this next year. She said, 'Not in MY garden!' Do you fancy another song? Because you are getting one!" Paul launched into "Hey Jude" complete with the singalong, "just the men" and "just the women" and "everyone at the house of Windsor!" The crowd wasn't ready for Paul to leave so he decided to play an impromptu version of "I Saw Her Standing There" which was after TV cameras were supposedly turned off for the evening.
Heather Mills and Yoko were spotted sitting next to each other in the Royal Box.
Security was so tight at Buckingham Palace, Paul was told to have two forms of ID on him including a passport.So Macca told the flunkies that if they wanted to kick him out, they could. "It was a case of security gone mad," a source said. "Paul wasn't trying to be a prima donna. But to expect one of the biggest stars in the world to carry his passport for fear he might be a security risk is ridiculous. He told them in no uncertain terms to get stuffed." The MTV video crew who were following Ozzy Osbourne around got in Macca's way and were reportedly kicked out of the concert.
If you weren't able to score a ticket to the Queen's Jubilee concert, don't worry! Naxos of America and BBC/Opus Arte have released two DVDs featuring highlights from the Queen's Jubilee Concerts, "Prom at the Palace" and "Party at the Palace" DVD (US version-click to order on Amazon.com) with Paul McCartney. The concerts were filmed by the BBC production team and broadcast live on the BBC. Highlights from the concerts were transferred to DVD and released on July 2nd.
An album of the Golden Jubilee rock concert at Buckingham Palace has been released. "The Party at the Palace" CD (UK version-click to order on Amazon.UK) will raise money for charities nominated by the Queen. The 21-track album is the same as the US version.
July 2002
Heather Mills McCartney was voted as the 97th most irritating person in the UK Mirror 3am's list of "Britain's 100 Most Irritating People."Readers lodged votes galore for Heather Mills and most of them cited her irritating reaction to speculation that she could be a gold-digger.
When it was suggested the blonde former model might be after Macca's vast £750million fortune, Heather responded by saying if she wanted money she would have married somebody "a lot richer."
No wonder that rubbed people up the wrong way. But to be fair, Heather suffered an appalling fate when she lost her leg after a police motorcyclist mowed her down while she was crossing the road. And we take our hat off to her for her fight back to fitness and her charity work.
But as reader David Levine told us, "There is just something about her that's very irritating." And it seems Sir Paul's kids might agree. They were less than delighted when their father wed Heather last month. And they remain convinced she's a gold-digger.
Heather Mills claims Paul McCartney's fans are jealous of her relationship with the former Beatle. She says she has faced a hostile reception since the pair revealed their relationship. The jealousy mainly comes from female Beatles fans around Paul's age.Speaking to UK's Prima Magazine (September issue), Heather said, "Even now, they're jealous that I'm with everyone's favorite Beatle."
She said the age gap had no effect on her relationship with the 60-year-old star: "He's so sweet. He's energising - like a kind of Peter Pan character. When you see him walking down the street, he literally skips, just like a little boy."
McCartney is totally supportive of her career as an anti-landmines campaigner, she said. "Psychologically, I feel on an equal level with Paul. There are a million reasons why I love him, but the main one is that I'm with someone who is totally secure in who he is and doesn't resent my work. We're together seven days a week. We sit down and go through our diaries together each month and we don't do anything if it takes us away from each other."
The anti-landmine campaigner added, "The best thing is that Paul fell in love with who I am, and he wouldn't try to change me," she said. "Just as I wouldn't dream of telling him to stop singing and painting and touring, he wouldn't try to stop my charity work. This is what my life is about."
Other men in her life had been resentful of the amount of time she devotes to her cause, she said, "I've only had six relationships in my life. Men fall in love with who I am. But then they end up resenting my charity work because I can't help giving myself totally to anything or anyone who's in need. One of them said that when I go off to a war zone, they feel inadequate staying at home."
Though devoted to her philanthropic efforts, she's cut down on her schedule in order to spend more time with her 60-year-old husband, who regularly brings her breakfast in bed. "In the evening, I cook and we eat together and talk," she says. "That's been very good for me." Commentary1 Commentary2
The honeymoon is over. Paul McCartney's bride Heather is seething over his plan to honor late wife Linda with a life-size statue, reveal insiders."Heather told him, 'Get over her!'" says a source. In the couple's first fight since their June 11 wedding, Heather flew into a rage when she learned about the memorial. McCartney has told pals he wants to place a bronze figure of Linda, who died of breast cancer in 1998, on their palatial Scottish estate, Mull of Kintyre, overlooking the sea. McCartney once wrote a hit song about the place.
He even commissioned his cousin Jane Robbins to fashion the piece. But the 60-year-old Beatle, who promised Heather, 34, when they wed that he'd stop living in the past, neglected to tell her of his plans.
"Now even though they are man and wife, the ghost of Linda still haunts her," reveals a friend of the newlyweds.
Although McCartney's spokesman says Heather is "in no way displeased with the statue", sources reveal she's livid.
"Heather was kept totally in the dark about this," says the friend. "She's furious. On the eve of their wedding, Paul promised her he'd move on and put the past behind him."
The statue issue has trapped McCartney between a rock and a hard place. He began planning it long before Heather came into his life. The source adds that McCartney also never made those plans public.
"In the lead up to the wedding, he especially kept a tight lid on it because he didn't want to appear insensitive to Heather," the source explains.
Ironically, Heather, who has reportedly been feuding with her stepdaughters Mary, 35, and 33-year-old Stella, also had a big blowout with McCartney just days before their wedding while in a hotel room at the Turnberry Isle Resort and Club in south Florida.
Heather asked him to remove the gold ring that Linda had given him. McCartney was so furious, he hurled her $25,000 engagement ring out the window.
Later, to make up with her, he launched a search for the ring and after they finally tied the knot, McCartney was thrilled and was thinking about starting a new family with Heather. He told pals that "a baby Beatle" would be the "icing on the cake."
But Heather sees the statue as Linda's ghost coming between her and her new hubby.
"I think she wants Paul to concentrate on her - his present and future - rather than the past," notes an insider. "Many women would feel the same." (The Globe)
Liam Gallagher is always up for pasta while Sir Paul McCartney reckons a glass of water is the perfect antidote to a hard day's night. Chef to the stars Danny Booth has spent his career tickling the taste buds of the rich and famous. Now he's moved to Brighton, the celebrities still cannot stay away. Danny opened sandwich bar Redeli on Ship Street, Brighton, a few weeks ago and it has already become an oasis for hungry showbusiness types. Danny has been staggered by the amount of famous faces who have come through his doors. He said, "I'm shocked by how well I've done. It has been fantastic. I had Paul McCartney come in for a drink of water just the other week. I don't know how he heard about the place. Will Young was in a few weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon. A load of children were hassling him on the streets and he dived in here for cover and a quick drink. I must be lucky with all these celebrities popping in."
Paul will be a guest on "Otro Rollo" a three-hour variety show from Mexico hosted by Adal Ramones. Paul will be promoting his concerts in Mexico City. Dates have not been announced but are expected to be in early November. (thanks to Macca Reporter David Ochoa)
According to the New York Post, Stella McCartney is getting married.Paul McCartney's daughter is set to marry publisher boyfriend Alasdhair Willis who proposed at the weekend, according to New York sources. But last night a pal said the wedding guest list is already a problem - with Stella in a quandary over whether to invite stepmum Heather Mills. Fashion designer Stella is said to dislike Heather and there was talk of a serious family rift when she married Macca. Stella's pal said, "The proposal was a surprise. She is thrilled. The only thing marring the couple's happiness is what they are going to do about the wedding. Stella really dislikes Heather but she doesn't want to upset her dad by not inviting his new wife." A rep for Stella said, "We don't comment on her personal life." Stella and Alasdhair, of ultra-hip mag Wallpaper, have been dating for a year after meeting in London. She recently said of him, "I've never felt this way before in a relationship. It's just a dream. He looks after me. I've got a good person." Story
George Harrison's wife Olivia hosted a secret memorial service for him at their Henley-on-Thames mansion. Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were among the guests. They were joined by Fab Four producer George Martin at the moving service on last Wednesday July 24. An insider said, "It was a very somber occasion with all of George's friends uniting to talk about their grief. "Everyone drew comfort from each other and it was a perfect way of remembering George." George died in November last year, after suffering from an inoperable form of cancer.
Paul and Heather watched a cricket match between England and India at the Lord's Cricket Ground in St. Johns Wood, London on Saturday July 27. Photo
Although specific details aren't yet confirmed, a live album and DVD chronicling Paul McCartney's recent Driving USA tour are in the works for a November release. David Kahne, who produced McCartney's latest Capitol studio set, "Driving Rain," is in London with producer/engineer Michael Brauer mixing 36 live tracks for use on the projects.Brauer says his objective is to put the listener 10 to 15 rows from the stage. Along with the concert experience the CD and DVD will replicate, he adds, mixing decisions are made in no small part by the songs as originally recorded by the Beatles. "I grew up with these songs, and I want to maintain their integrity," Brauer observes. "David also makes sure that the spirit of the song is again brought out. And Paul is here to listen to it. I've got all the original songs from the show on my iPod, so I'll listen to it, asking myself, 'What were the elements that made it so cool?' A classic is a classic -- you don't want to mess with it."
The "Driving USA" DVD will be released on November 26.
There are many things that Sir Paul McCartney will do for his native Liverpool, but sharing a balcony appearance with Yoko Ono is clearly not one of them. The former Beatle, his new wife, Heather, and John Lennon's widow had been due to join the Queen and civic dignitaries on the balcony of Liverpool Town Hall July 25, to watch a parade marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to the city.The official program handed out at the beginning of the day listed both the McCartneys and Ono as balcony guests, but at the last minute Sir Paul and Lady McCartney jumped into their silver Jaguar and headed south, pleading a pressing recording session in London.
Sir Paul further argued that he did not wish to upstage the Queen on her big day. He would not have done; outside the city's Walker Art Gallery she got a considerably bigger cheer from the crowd than he did.
The rival Beatle camps, who have maintained years of frostiness, managed to side-step each other all day: Ono greeted the Queen at Liverpool airport, recently renamed John Lennon International, and joined the royal reception at the Town Hall, while barely 500 yards away the McCartneys conducted the Queen around an exhibition of Sir Paul's painting and sculpture, most of it rather too scatological for the royal taste.
Dressed in a smart dark suit and pale blue tennis shoes, in sharp contrast to the Queen's cool peppermint green, Sir Paul denied any hint of nervousness as he awaited his visitor. "She's great, a lovely lady, jubilee year - rockin'," he said.As the Queen toured the exhibition, she walked quickly past canvasses bearing such titles as "Bowie, Spewing," "Bondage Girl" and a number of other McCartney works big on genitalia. He diplomatically guided her to the relatively safe "Big Face Mountain." The Queen laughed. "Your pictures are very colorful," she told him, non-commitally.
Sir Paul has executed three paintings of the Queen, including one entitled "The Queen After Her First Cigarette," but they were not included in the show. He gave the Queen a copy of his book of paintings, inscribed "Hope you enjoy it" on the flyleaf. "I hope she's got a quiet moment at the Palace to read it with her feet up," he said afterwards.
The Queen, who last met Sir Paul at the Palace rock concert in June, was also steered quickly past a McCartney sculpture entitled "Running Legs With Penis." "It's driftwood. Don't blame me, blame nature," Sir Paul said later. "Anyway, I don't think my paintings are risqué at all; the Queen has seen a lot."
He was clearly flattered by the royal attention, and to be included in the jubilee. His wife said, "You can't accept a knighthood and then not turn up when the Queen asks you," a reference to Sir Paul's brief dithering over whether or not to appear at the Palace gathering of rock dinosaurs in June.
It was a far cry from 1965, when all four Beatles were appointed MBE and several other holders returned their medals in disgust, dismissing the Fab Four as "vulgar nincompoops". Lennon handed his insignia back in 1969, but McCartney kept his and was eventually knighted in 1997. Yet the only Beatles representative standing beside the Queen on the Town Hall balcony yesterday was Lennon's widow. Photos
Paul McCartney showed Queen Elizabeth around a display of 70 of his largely abstract paintings and sculptures Thursday July 25, saying afterward, "I think she liked them. She said they were very colorful, and I took that as a great compliment.''
However, curators of Liverpool's Walker Gallery had removed three canvases of the queen herself, entitled: "The Queen After Her First Cigarette,'' "The Queen Getting A Joke," and "A Greener Queen."
"The gallery had the opportunity to include the pictures - it was up to them," said Sir Paul. "I would have been happy to have shown them to the Queen - they are very affectionate and I think she has a good sense of humor. She's a fine woman.Photos
Paul's lead guitarist, Rusty Anderson was at the San Diego Beatles Fair, July 20 and talked about the tour.The band rehearsed a number of songs before the "Driving USA" tour and one of them was "No More Lonely Nights."
He said that the Chicago audience was the best on this tour.Rusty said he suggested to Paul to play "Getting Better" and Paul said that he wanted to play the guitar part on the song himself.
He mentioned that his favorite song from the "Driving Rain" album didn't make the cut. It's called "Washington" and Paul said it will be on the next album though there are no immediate plans to record a new album.
Will there be new songs on "Back in the U.S." tour? Rusty said, "Yes, we are going to mix it up a bit."
A crew of 100 took five days to clean up the grounds at Castle Leslie. The grounds were strewn with flowers from McCartney's wedding. All the flowers were sent to hospitals and nursing homes.
A LIPA lecturer is behind bars in a Japanese jail accused of drug smuggling. Chris Snell, 47, a lecturer at Sir Paul McCartney's LIPA college in Liverpool was arrested at Tokyo airport after three kilos of cannabis was discovered in a hidden compartment of a suitcase he was carrying. Mr Snell, a father of two from Croxteth Park, now faces up to four years in jail if found guilty of bringing drugs into the country. But today his wife Olga, 51, pleaded for his release, insisting he had been set up by a so-called friend. "Chris is totally innocent - he is not a drug dealer and does not even smoke cannabis," she said. Mr Snell a freelance music producer was arrested at Tokyo's Narita airport after arriving on a flight from Switzerland two months ago. But he insists the suitcase where the drugs were found had been given to him by a musician colleague in Zurich. He claims the case - larger than his own - was given to him so that he could carry additional clothes for the friend's brother who lived in Tokyo. Mr Snell was travelling to the Japanese capital to work on a reggae music project. The colleague has since disappeared. Today his wife added: "There is no way he would risk his family and career over something so stupid. "I will do everything in my power to get him released and home with us in Liverpool." Story
Britain's biggest stars have lost up to £270 million ($423.9 million) in the stock market slump. Paul McCartney is believed to be the biggest showbiz loser, suffering a staggering £54million ($85 million) plunge in the value of his shares.Macca's total estimated wealth stands at around £713million ($1.12 billion), but the downturn has put a dent in the cash he has available to invest.
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