The Macca Report February 2005

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February 2005

February 28, 2005 -- Breaking News ie

McCartney's daughter Stella gives birth

The fashion designer's baby was born three weeks prematurely at London's private St. Johns and St. Elizabeth Hospital (where Beatrice McCartney was born) and required specialist attention after suffering initial breathing problems.

However, both baby and mother are said to be healthy after being transferred by ambulance to Portland, another hospital in the capital, hours after the birth.

Paul McCartney was joined by his son-in-law and new father, Alasdhair Willis, at the maternity ward.

A source says, "Obviously this is Stella's first baby and the whole family was so excited. But the baby came early and it was a bit of tough-and-go there for a while. Luckily Stella had both her dad and husband on hand to help out. In the end it all turned out OK, but everyone was very concerned."
February 28, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY'S WIFE PLAYS DOROTHY FOR CHARITY

Sir Paul McCartney's wife Heather is showing off her acting talents, playing Dorothy from "The Wizard Of Oz" in a forthcoming British charity video.

The comic relief music video, with a re-release of crooner Tony Christie's 1971 hit "Is This The Way To Amarillo," was written and directed by comedian Peter Kay.

The video will get its first airing, March 11th on "Red Nose Night Live '05," with the money raised going to Africa.
February 28, 2005 -- Eonline

Gwyneth wears Stella

Gwyneth Paltrow wore a stunning gown by Stella McCartney at the Oscars last night. See photo

February 28, 2005 -- Community Newswire

STAR BACKING FOR CHARITY AUCTION

A host of signed celebrity memorabilia has today gone on sale in an online auction to help raise money for a Manchester-based charity which works to clear mines across the globe.

The star lot in the sale for the MAG - the Mines Advisory Group - is a limited edition signed print by Sir Paul McCartney.

Sir Paul has donated the rare print alongside items from the award-winning comedy Phoenix Nights and Celebrity Big Brother 2005 winner and Happy Mondays 'dancer Bez.

MAG's Julia Wright said: "We have a fabulous selection of items that will appeal to serious music and comedy fans.

"The limited edition print by Paul McCartney is a real gem. Sir Paul and his wife Heather have been supporters of the landmine cause for many years and now fans of his music will also be able to support this very worthwhile cause."

All the items in MAG's Music Beats Mines auction will be up for grabs on eBay for one week from today until Friday, March 4.

MAG was launched in 1989 and currently runs clearing operations in 14 countries worldwide. As one of the largest humanitarian mine action organisations in the world MAG is at the forefront of mine action.

MAG is a pioneer in mine action clearance and recruits and trains local staff, creates multi-skilled teams, provides emergency response, promotes mine risk education in schools and invests in new technology.

For a full list of items and starting prices visit MAG's website at www.magclearsmines.org and click on the link for the MAG auction.

February 28, 2005 -- Business Wire

Super Bowl DVD with Paul's Halftime Show

CLICK HERE TO ORDER $17.49 on Amazon.com

Warner Home Video, the National Football League and NFL Films have joined forces to release the most anticipated DVD of the year as NFL Super Bowl XXXIX Champions hits stores on March 1, 2005.

This exciting DVD allows fans to relive the incredible journey to Jacksonville by a team that has seen more championship seasons than any other team in sports so far this century. NFL Super Bowl XXXIX Champions, available for $24.98, contains three hours of non-stop action-packed footage including spectacular highlights from the regular season and playoffs, culminating with the Patriots' nail biting 24-21 defeat over the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl on February 6, 2005.

DVD Special Features include:

-- World Broadcast - Every play from the Super Bowl in the World TV broadcast featuring Dick Stockton and Daryl "Moose" Johnston.
-- Ameriquest Mortgage Super Bowl XXXIX Halftime Show - relive the halftime show featuring Paul McCartney
-- Media Day - Hear coaches and players comments on NFL Media Day, Tuesday before the big game.
-- Post-Game Sounds - Press conferences and post game interviews with the players and coaches.

February 27, 2005 -- The Mirror

MACCA SEES BABBA

Tired but happy, proud Sir Paul McCartney beamed with delight yesterday after a bedside vigil over his new grandson.

His wife Heather was at the wheel as they drove from London's Portland Hospital after visiting his daughter Stella and her baby, who needed emergency treatment after he was born on Friday.

Baby weighed in several weeks early at 7lb 7oz at a private hospital in north London. But he developed breathing problems and was taken to the special care baby unit at the Portland, where he was believed to be making a full recovery last night.

Sir Paul, 62, rushed to the hospital on Friday for his vigil, then returned yesterday for a more relaxed hour-long visit accompanied by Heather.

A friend of fashion designer Stella, 33, said, "Stella is so very, very proud. It was a bit worrying on Friday night when she and baby had to switch hospitals, but everything seems to be fine now."

Sir Paul and Heather refused to comment as they left the hospital yesterday. But an onlooker said, "They looked thrilled to bits." Stella's showbiz pals, Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, had sent their congratulations and flowers.

It is 33-year-old Stella's first child. She married publisher Alasdhair Willis in a fairytale wedding on the Scottish Isle of Bute in 2003.

A spokeswoman last night said, "Stella and Alasdhair are both thrilled to bits, and mother and son are healthy and resting."

It is Sir Paul's third grandson - his eldest daughter, Mary, already has two boys and he himself became a father for the fourth time when Heather had a daughter in 2003.

February 27, 2005 -- News of the World

MACCA'S BABY JOY

Paul McCartney gave his new baby grandson the thumbs-up yesterday.

The former Beatle looked delighted as he left London's Portland Hospital after visiting daughter Stella who gave birth on Friday night.

A pal of fashion designer Stella said, "The family are all very happy and proud."

February 26, 2005

The Grammy Awards' multi-artist tsunami relief single, "Across the Universe," is the Hot 100's top debut this week at No. 22 and the highest-debuting song of 2005, besting last month's No. 40 bow of Killers' "Mr. Brightside."

It's also the first Hot 100 appearance for the Beatles song and the first John Lennon/Paul McCartney composition to appear on the chart in nine years. The duo last charted at No. 11 in 1996 with the Beatles' "Real Love."

Proceeds from the cover -- which also bows at No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart with 34,500 transactions -- will go towards UNICEF's efforts to aid disaster victims in Southern Asia.
February 26, 2005 -- The Sun

It's a boy for Stella

Fashion boss Stella McCartney gave birth to her first child yesterday. The 33-year-old daughter of Sir Paul McCartney had the 8 lb boy a week early.

She was resting in a London hospital (Portland) last night with her husband, publisher Alasdhair Willis, at her bedside.

A spokesman would not confirm whether the couple had chosen a name for the baby, but said, "Stella and Alasdhair are thrilled with the birth of their baby son.

"Stella went into labour in the early hours of Friday morning and gave birth to a healthy 8 lb baby boy. Both mother and baby are well. Stella is now relaxing with her family by her side."

The baby is Sir Paul's third grandchild - his eldest daughter Mary has sons Arthur, five and Elliot, two.

Designer Stella, who works for the Gucci label, married Alasdhair, 33, in August 2003 at Mount Stuart, on the Isle of Bute.

Stella has no shortage of celebrity pals to advise her on motherhood.

She is close friends with Gwyneth Paltrow, who had daughter Apple last year, as well as Sadie Frost and Liv Tyler.

February 25, 2005 -- People.com

Stella McCartney Welcomes a Baby Boy

Fashion designer Stella McCartney has given birth to a baby boy, PEOPLE has learned.

"Stella and Alasdhair Willis are thrilled to announce the birth of their healthy and happy baby boy born in the early hours of February 25th in London," the couple said in a statement.

The couple's rep tells PEOPLE: "Both mother and father are thrilled with the news."

McCartney, 33, wed Willis, 34, a former magazine publisher, in August 2003.

Despite her pregnancy, McCartney managed to put together a new collection, to be unveiled in Paris next week(Thursday, March 3). "Stella worked on and was able to complete the collection before giving birth," People quoted her publicist as saying.

The show will go on, but it wasn't known whether McCartney would be able to attend.
February 25, 2005

Unconfirmed news out of London today is that Stella McCartney gave birth to a baby boy. Proud Grandpa Paul was in the ambulance with Stella when she was rushed to the hospital.

February 25, 2005

Paul was not on "Imus" (MSNBC Cable TV) Friday. Imus had someone imitating Paul and answering questions like he was Paul McCartney.

Here's the show's email addy if you'd like to tell them what you thought of their spoof. imus@msnbc.com

February 24, 2005 -- RPOnline

Heather Mills McCartney was in Duesseldorf, Germany at the Swissotel for a press conference to announce the first Adopt-A-Minefield Benefit Gala on May 28 in Duesseldorf. Paul was not present but sent a video. Both Paul and Heather will host the event at the Swissotel Duesseldorf Neuss.

The Gala

Saturday, May 28 at the Swissotel Duesseldorf Neuss

Hosts

Sir Paul McCartney and Lady Heather Mills McCartney. Both will be present.

Honor committee

Dr. Franz alto, TV - journalist
Klaus Voormann, artist
Dr. Ute Henriette Ohoven, ambassador of the UNESCO
Nina Ruge, TV - host & UNICEF - patin
Wolfgang Suttner, culture adviser circle victories
Pierre Brice, actor & UNICEF - Ambassadors
Christopher Lee, actor

Tickets
Tickets are immediately available. The minimum donation is 450 euros ($600)

Tickethotline: Tel. +49 - (0) - 211,-36 78 621 (Monday through Friday 9:30 am - 6:00pm)
or fax +49 - (0) - 211 - 35 36 33.

February 23, 2005 -- WebUser

The eBay auction, which ends on March 4, also includes a Mick Jagger fine art photo taken and signed by photographer David Bailey and a Lion King song sheet signed by Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice.

The Paul McCartney signed "Blackbird Singing" book has already soared from its opening price of £0.99 to £237.66 ($445) while David Bailey's photo of Mick Jagger and the Ringo Starr signed Beatles Help! Delphi plate and photo has raised from £0.99 to £77.99 ($145) and £151 ($282) respectively. MORE
February 23, 2005 -- The Rock106.7

Paul McCartney's lead guitarist, Rusty Anderson, says that although McCartney is now taking his time recording his upcoming album, that wasn't the case during his first sessions with McCartney in Los Angeles back in 2001.

Anderson told that during the "Driving Rain" sessions four years ago, McCartney was tireless in the studio: "Basically what it was, was we went in for two weeks non-stop, I think we had one day off... It was a little over two weeks off maybe and we, we recorded really quickly like the very first day that I came in, I met Paul and an hour later we had started recording... And we recorded three songs that day."

He said that in addition to his regular touring band, McCartney is also recording with outside musicians and several different producers.

McCartney's upcoming U.S. tour will kick off on September 16th in Miami at the American Airlines Arena.

The only other confirmed date so far is November 30th in Los Angeles -- although it's still up in the air whether McCartney will be performing at the Staples Center or at The Hollywood Bowl.

Other cites with unconfirmed dates and/or venues include Atlanta, Washington, D.C, Boston, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Paul/Minneapolis, Des Moines, Denver and Las Vegas.

Anderson is playing select club dates to promote his first solo album Undressing Underwater -- which features McCartney on bass and backing vocals on the opening track "Hurt Myself."
February 23, 2005 -- Xfm

X-clusive: Macca On Glasto, Franz and Kaiser Chiefs

After receiving the Event of The Year awards for his Glastonbury appearance last year the NME Awards, Paul McCartney spoke to Xfm about the festival and his love for Kaiser Chiefs and Franz Ferdinand.

McCartney picked up the award along with Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis and Xfm asked the former Beatle what his enduring memory of his now-legendary performance was.

"When I was doing 'Let it Be' I was looking out over all the flags and all the people and you see them reaching back into the mountains," he reminisced, "And I looked over to the right and like on the approach road there was all people all sort of swaying and stuff where they shouldn't have been. And it was really moving you know it was like 'Wow' kind of the festival seemed to just stop for a minute and it was great, a great honour.

As for which groups Macca gave his seal of approval to, Franz Ferdinand get the royal nod, and so do a certain new West Yorkshire outfit.

"Who do I like out of the new bands? I think a lot of them are really good," McCartney answered, "Kaiser Chiefs I thought were really cool and I've been listening to the Franz Ferdinand album which I think is great, you know.

"I always love all the bands that play live. I mean, that's it for me. That's my sort of end of the music. Anyone who can actually bother to learn what they're doing and not just use a computer, who can actually get out there and kick arse like these guys do, I think they're great. I think there's a good rich music scene at the moment, and here's to Johnny Peel for helping create it."
February 22, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY ATTACKS ANTI-VEGGIE RESEARCH

Rock legend Sir Paul McCartney has lashed out at new research that claims a vegetarian lifestyle is unhealthy for children - claiming figures are fixed by people in the meat trade.

An American study says nutrients found in meat and dairy products help build muscle and enhance intelligence in the first few years of a child's life.

But McCartney, who has been a vegetarian for 20 years and whose late wife Linda launched her own range of meat-free food, so strongly disagrees, he called a BBC radio program to lodge his complaint.

He told Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine yesterday, "I really do think this is rubbish. I think the medical profession itself, apart from this person... come to the conclusion that a veggie diet is good for you and can help with colon cancer and stuff so I suspect these things are engineered by livestock people who have seen sales fall off.

"From my own point of view has been a good thing for me and my children who are no shorter than other children."

To hear the interview go to BBC2 Radio and click on "Monday." Paul calls in 1 hour and 55 minutes into the show. The interview will only be up this week.
February 22, 2005 -- Liverpool Echo

Pop memorabilia sale at eBay for tsunami appeal

The bidding has started on the pop memorabilia auction of the year.

Mike McCartney has joined forces with the Echo to raise money for the tsunami appeal and international children's charity Unicef.

Items from the worlds of showbiz and sport went on sale today on the on-line auction site eBay.

In his work for Unicef, Mike has collected some remarkable memorabilia over the years and is auctioning it for the Echo's Tsunami Sunrise Fund appeal.

Mike, brother of ex-Beatle Paul, announced the auction at the sell-out gala concert at the Philharmonic Hall, which raised £51,000 ($95,300).

He said, "Some items are priceless but anyone out there has the chance now to own a piece of contemporary history. These will appeal to people from all walks of life.

"The money raised will go to the victims of tsunami the orphans and the families."

Steve Bailey, manager of the Beatle shop in Mathew Street, said some of the lots were mouth-watering.

He said, "We have auctions each year and if someone had come in with these great souvenirs we would have been well pleased."

Link to the Echo's Tsunami Appeal.

February 21, 2005

Paul and Heather took baby Bea for a stroll in her pram in Primrose Hill, London last Friday. See Photos
February 19, 2005 -- MRNews

Macca's secret wardrobe malfunction

According to Paul McCartney's US publicist, Paul Freundlich, Macca had a 'hidden' surprise in his jeans.

In a detailed diary describing each day leading up to and after McCartney's Super Bowl performance, Freundlich candidly reveals that the rock star had a secret message embroidered inside his jeans.

Freundlich writes: "... he opens his fly to show us the 'Lucky You' logo embroidered in his jeans crotch. He jokes that this is to be his wardrobe malfunction. "

As McCartney prepares to meet 1,500 members of the press, an attendance record for Super Bowl press conferences, he participates in a customary 'meet and greet' backstage with VIP's. Jacksonville's Mayor, John A. Delaney, is granted a private peak at McCartney's hidden wardrobe malfunction.

Freundlich continues: "Paul agrees to meet the mayor, picture is taken, and he, in a moment of great comedy, shows him his wardrobe malfunction that he's shown us earlier. He's respectfully asked the ladies to leave the room beforehand. Classic moment. "

To read Freundlich's Super Bowl Diary click here.

February 19, 2005 -- The Mirror

PAUL'S MACCARITA TIME

Guests at Sir Paul McCartney's table at the NME awards may have had to go veggie for the night - but there was no danger of them going thirsty.

The Beatles legend, 62, imposed a no-meat policy on pals at the ceremony - where he accepted the Best Event gong for his Glastonbury performance with longtime festival organiser Michael Eavis - but loaded the table with champagne and jugs of his favorite tequila-based tipple.

A source tells us, "Wherever Paul goes, he always asks for orange margarita.

"It's quite an unusual drink but obviously what he wants, he gets."
February 18, 2005 -- Liverpool Echo

Josh McCartney plays the generation game

The crowd went wild when McCartney took to the stage in Liverpool last night.

But this wasn't Sir Paul McCartney. Nor was it Paul's brother Mike, known for his hits with the Scaffold.

This was Josh McCartney, Mike 's son.

His band, The Famous Last Words, were supporting Rooster at Liverpool's Carling Academy.

Drummer Josh, 22, looked like one of The Beatles as the group played a set of catchy pop songs.

He said, "I want to be as big as my uncle and my dad. I think people have been surprised by us, but a lot of people don't know who I am, which is good. We've already got a lot of fans following us now."

The Famous Last Words, who haven't released an album yet, are aptly named - the only famous thing about the band at the moment is Josh's surname.

Mike McCartney, who was photographing the band last night, said, "I think they're the best thing since sliced bread. They are set to be the next big thing."

The other members are singer and bassist Will Bayliss, 22, and guitarist and backing vocalist Chris Rothwell, aged 23.

February 18, 2005 -- PaulMcCartney.com

Click here to read Paul Freundlich's (Paul's US publicist) "SUPER BOWL DIARY!"
February 17, 2005 -- PaulMcCartney.com

MESSAGE FROM PAUL

Hi friendly Webbers!

Paul here. Just got back from the Superbowl where we had a super time and shortly we will be featuring on the website Paul Freundlich's (our US publicist) diary of the Superbowl as it happened from his point of view. So watch this space!

You may have heard that recently I decided to speak out against members of the media, whose inaccurate stories had, over recent years, hurt Heather and I and the family so much. My article was posted on Heather's website and in case you missed it, will shortly be appearing here on my website.

Meanwhile thanks to the many thousands of you who wrote in supporting us. It is really great to see how the real fans feel about the rubbish that appears in some of the media from time to time.

My plans for the year include finishing off an all new studio album which I'm excited about and making plans for an American tour which will run from September 16th through till November 30th this year.

Thanks for your support.

All the best,

Paul

February 17, 2005 - NME.com

Paul McCartney took to the stage at the Shockwaves NME Awards to pick up the award for "Best Event for Glastonbury."

The ex-Beatle stole the show at last year's festival, on a bill headlined on the other days by Oasis and Muse.

McCartney had a packed Pyramid Stage enthralled with a two-hour gig that had the 80,000 crowd singing along passionately to every word, and knocked out the hits including 'Yesterday', 'Got To Get You Into My Life', 'We Can Work It Out' and 'Blackbird'.

But the highlight was when he led the crowd through a mass singalong to "Hey Jude" and "Helter Skelter."

Speaking from the stage, McCartney said,"Glastonbury is the best festival, always has been, always will be."

Glastonbury boss Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily were also in attendance at the Hammersmith Palais, enjoying the evening at a table with McCartney.

Plans are well underway for this year's Glastonbury Festival, with White Stripes, Coldplay and Kylie Minogue set to be the headliners on the Pyramid Stage.

The Shockwaves NME Awards 2005 were at Hammersmith Palais in London. The annual music awards sees winners decided by an NME readers' poll. GETTY PHOTOS REX PHOTOS ISIFA PHOTOS

February 17, 2005

Heather Mills McCartney was a panelist on the BBC1 current affairs program "Question Time" Thursday, February 17. You can watch the program on demand while it is archived on the BBC1 site. Click here.

February 17, 2005

Grammys favor the late greats over the deserving

Last year, the late Warren Zevon won two Grammy golds for his final album, The Wind. And while his work was certainly moving, it wasn't necessarily the best.

He took home the award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for "Disorder in the House," a disjointed, hardly award-winning duet with Bruce Springsteen. His Best Contemporary Folk Album award was much more deserving, however.

But the point is, the Recording Academy is turning the Grammys into a lifetime achievement awards show, rather than rewarding the best of the best each year.

Case in point this year - Ray Charles.

Don't get me wrong, I love Ray as much as the next guy, but a duets album isn't groundbreaking music. Genius Loves Company is a fairly good duets album, but a duets album none the less. It just goes to show you that all you have to do is nab Norah Jones - who is to Grammys what King Midas was to gold - and you've got yourself an album to be reckoned with come awards time.

I can handle the Record of the Year award for "Here We Go Again," his duet with Jones, just because the competition was pretty weak.

I can even handle the Album of the Year award, although Usher and Kanye West were probably more deserving.

But what I can't stomach is giving the award for Best Pop Collaboration to Charles and Jones over arguably the two biggest rock legends on the planet. How do Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton, teaming up for an amazing live performance of a George Harrison-penned song, lose anything they're nominated for at this point? How can you possibly justify "Here We Go Again" over "Something?" It's truly mind-boggling.

It's astounding how often the Academy has mishandled The Beatles. First passing them over numerous times in the midst of their legendary career, and now with year after year of atrocious tributes.

Last year, you might recall, Sting, Dave Matthews, Tim McGraw and Pharrell Williams butchered "I Saw Her Standing There." Sunday night, "Across The Universe" was on the chopping block. What started off promisingly enough with Bono, Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones and Brian Wilson, quickly become a joke when Tim McGraw, Scott Weiland and Billie Joe Armstrong joined the fray.

The song, available for sale on iTunes.com, benefits tsunami victims. Luckily there's a lot of other help on the way.

February 16, 2005 -- Milwaukee Journal

Heather Mills McCartney will be a guest lecturer on April 18 at 7:30pm for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's "From the Heart Woman's Lecture Series "powered by Smart Talk for 2005.

A range of pop culture from music to movies to sports gets explored from a woman's viewpoint in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's From the Heart Women's Lecture Series powered by Smart Talk for 2005.

The talks put extraordinary women in face-to-face settings with local audiences, creating intimate give-and-take discussions. Celebrities in this year's series include:

·Heather Mills McCartney, April 18. This 1996 Nobel Prize nominee has spent years raising funds and awareness to rid the world of land mines - lobbying for a worldwide ban. She and her husband, legendary musician Paul McCartney, are both patrons of Adopt-A-Minefield.

She published an autobiography: "A Single Step."

All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Marcus Center, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee. Subscription-renewal deadline is March 11, with early bird series prices $99 to $239. General public subscription sales start mid-March at $99 to $239. No single sales are being announced at this time. Tickets can be purchased at the Marcus Center box office by calling (414) 273-7206.

February 16, 2005

Word is Paul McCartney will be attending the NME (New Musical Express) Awards Thursday (February 17) night in London.

It's the 40th Anniversary of The Beatles historic performance at the awards and also when the band swept the awards.

February 16, 2005 -- Calgary Sun

Beatle burrowed at hotel

Roll over Beethoven: This day tripper's had a hard day's night on the long and winding road to New Orleans.

But like Sir Paul McCartney, I got by with a little help from my friends at the Le Richelieu Hotel.

The hotel, tucked in the city's famed French Quarter, gained notoriety three decades ago when the former Beatle and his Wings entourage stayed here while recording an album.

Guests of the deluxe two-room Paul McCartney Suite No. 227 can't forget its most famous visitor (a big brass plaque on the door is a not-so-subtle reminder).

Nor can Joanne Kirkpatrick.

The hotel's director of sales remembers the buzz when Wings recorded their 1975 album, Venus and Mars at New Orleans' Sea-Saint Studios.

"At the time, a lot of music people stayed here," Kirkpatrick recalls.

"We got a lot of phone calls from the press, but we told them he wasn't registered.

"About a week before he was to leave, somebody took a picture of Paul on one of the pool's lounge chairs and sold it to the paper. Then the phone calls really started."

Kirkpatrick, a hotel employee since 1972, says the star was a model guest during his two-month stay.

"I'm still learning things about him," she says, such as the times he'd bring morning coffee for the taxi drivers idling outside the hotel on Chartres Street.

America has long marked and honoured the rest stops of its famous. So a Pop Star Slept Here tribute doesn't seem unusual, even in the country's jazz capital.

Room 227's hardwood king-size bed is today a comfy respite from the French Quarter crowds, though some of its other fittings (did Linda once load that gold dishwasher? I pondered) are dated.

But as suites go, the $225 US-and-up rates are a bargain, especially when you consider its illustrious company.

Proving that while money can't buy me love, it can buy a fun memory.
February 15, 2005 -- Gawker.com

Unconfirmed Paul sighting in London

Paul was spotted having dinner with actor Aidan Quinn at the Soho House on Sunday night.

February 14, 2005 -- Fotobanka

FOUL MOUTHED HEATHER WON'T LET IT BEA

Paul McCartney shielded his baby Bea with an umbrella but it was an unsuspecting photographer that really needed it, as an angry Heather Mills made the drastic move of pouring a bottle of water over him as he took photos of the family.

Heather even launched a vicious verbal assault on the snapper, telling him "F*** you" as he attempted to photograph McCartney and Bea from a distance of 20 metres. The family were dining out for lunch at a Notting Hill restaurant on Saturday (12 February).

Focusing on the former Beatle and his 15-month-old baby, the photographer had no idea furious Heather was approaching, until she drenched him with the contents of her glass bottle. Taken by surprise, the snapper lifted his arm to protect himself, sending the bottle flying against a wall to smash. It was at that moment Heather, 37, unleashed her four-letter outburst.

But in the words of John Lennon, it was a case of 'Instant Karma' for the angry ex-model - as she had been soaking her victim, an eagle-eyed traffic warden had slapped a £60 parking ticket on their waiting car.

February 14, 2005 -- Daily Mail

Our next question: Why is Heather on the show?

It is a television institution that traditionally features politicians and renowed opinion-formers.

So fans of "Question Time" might be a little surprised to learn that one of the panelists this week is Heather Mills McCartney.

Although she is best known as the wife of Sir Paul McCartney, the BBC insists that she has been invited on because of her charity work and landmine campaigns.

Heather, 37, is due to appear on the show which is being filmed in Slough, Berkshire, and will also feature Nicholas Soames, the Tory defence spokesman.

The producers of the show, which is going out at 10:35 pm on BBC1 on Thursday, are hoping their decision will be vindicated. Five years ago they cam under fire for featuring Boy George as a panelist. Other guest who have raised eyebrows include artist Tracey Emin and form swimmer Sharron Davies.

Friends of Heather will certainly be hoping that her performance on the debate show show is a little better received than her last few TV appearances.

The former model was widely criticised in America ten months ago when she hosted an edition of the Larry King Show, interviewing Paul Newman.

Among her gaffes were asking the bewildered actor, "How come you're such a philanthropist?" and suggesting that he should turn down awards because he had enough already. An appearance on the Christmas celebrity version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" also led to complaints that she was using her husband's fame to promote herself.

This weekend she revealed on her website that she had almost contemplated giving up her charitable activities because of criticism.

But e-mails of support meant that she would be continuing her work.

"Reading these has fueled me with the energy, determination and compassion I need to keep doing the work I value so much, and to ignore those who do nothing," she wrote.

Heather, her husband and their daughter Bea returned to Britain a few days ago after a stay in American which saw Sir Paul earn £1.8 million ($3.4 million) in 12 minutes for performing at the Super Bowl.

February 14, 2005

Grammy News

Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton's collaboration on "Something" from "The Concert For George" lost out to Ray Charles and Norah Jones' duet for "Here We Go Again" in the "Pop Collaboration with Vocals" category "

"The Concert For George" won a Grammy in the "Best Long-Form Music Video" category.

February 14, 2005 -- New York Post

Paul and Heather were spotted recently at Michael's restaurant in Midtown Manhattan holding hands.

February 14, 2005 -- Chicago Sun-Times

Readers can't just let it be

Hell hath no fury like a Beatles fan scorned. I received several dozen e-mails from readers, most of them angry, in response to my review of last Sunday's Super Bowl half-time show by Paul McCartney.

I wrote that the four-song set of oldies by Wings and the Beatles -- essentially a high-profile commercial for Macca's upcoming tour, where the ticket prices are likely to once again top out around $300 -- was a predictable, no-risk bore.

Here is a sampling of the readers' responses.

Dear Mr. DeRogatis: I see no reason to criticize Paul for playing the Super Bowl, and I see no connection in comparing his 30-year-old song "Live and Let Die" to the conflict in Iraq. This shows no class on your part. If you don't like Paul's music, just say that you're bored. Why do you rip into the man?

Jim Kelly

Those old songs stand up against 80 percent of the garbage that comes out today. What do you think he was hired for? To play fresh new originals that no one wants to hear? (You even said it yourself about the song "Freedom.")

I was at a Super Bowl gathering and it was unanimous that everyone couldn't wait for the half-time show and everyone loved it. Those old classics he wrote and played changed and shaped an industry that keeps you employed. What on earth did you honestly expect from him? Britney Spears in spandex to accompany him like sellout Aerosmith did years ago? Talk about a half-time show that totally sucked.

Mike Whealan

I agree with you that the NFL is obviously the most hypocritical organization this side of R.E.M. We aren't supposed to see a nipple, but we see people beating the crap out of each other, and cheerleaders shaking their booties on the sidelines. People just like having a scapegoat, and Janet Jackson was very convenient. The people say they don't want their children watching something like that, but then they watch approved violence and girls in skimpy outfits parading around for our pleasure.

Matt Haverstock

Let's take for granted your cynical and apparently world-weary view that the songs comprising McCartney's set list have been heard "a thousand times more than we ever needed to in this lifetime." Let's even assume that you're right about a "Nipplegate" backlash generated by last year's ridiculous antics. What your pessimistic and whining review failed to address is the idea that millions of people globally got to share in what amounted to a musical icon performing a legendary set of songs.

Dave Pauwels

While your observations about the age of McCartney's songs and the "safe" nature of the show were factually correct, I am not sure why this is a bad thing. Over the years, the NFL has treated its fans to endless lip-synching (Michael Jackson, Aerosmith), flashes in the pan masquerading as headliners (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake), acts with mostly regional appeal (ZZ Top, Travis Tritt), parody bands (the Jim Belushi-led Blues Brothers) and a variety of other horrible acts. Finally, the NFL brought in a real superstar, fronting a real band, playing real music. The fact that Paul was actually singing and that the instruments were plugged in was a big improvement.

Lance Cagle

It wasn't the songs, it was the man himself. You should be grateful that you had the opportunity to watch him. According your logic, why do we need history books or museums? We've seen the stuff before! He's part of history -- a man who played with one of the most influential rock bands in musical history -- and you have the nerve to call him boring. His music will live forever while tripe like your article will turn back into compost.

Larry S. Grimes

I'm not sure exactly what you were looking for here? "You Know My Name (Look Up My Number)"? "C Moon"? "Rainclouds"? Yep, clearly Sir Paul should have performed all obscure B-sides. Get a grip. Relax. Go to a club and see some obscure young band that can't sing or write songs, and insist in your review that this is the next big thing. The rest of us will get on with actually enjoying good music.

Scott Litch

Paul McCartney, a real live Beatle, boring? Please. Maybe people expecting screaming and crotch-grabbing were bored, but not this girl.

Rhonda Ricci

Just because you weren't selected third-chair saxophone in your high school band, don't take it out on Sir Paul.

G. Bahler

Sir Paul put on the best half-time show I've seen in years. You are an elitist snob. If the rest of the world had to listen to the garbage you call music, the suicide rate would probably quadruple.

Brian Peterson

Like a bad Super Bowl commercial, you are just looking for attention with your weak poke at Paul McCartney. The half-time show finally returned back to a class act without a bunch of lip-synching prima donnas. Twits like you prefer lip-synching punks like Ashlee Simpson or loudmouth morons like Kid Rock. The only boring thing is your column.

Frank Wiencek

Yes, the man is 63 (and looking fabulous, I might add). But oh, my God, look at the talent! He writes his own music and actually sings his own songs and plays the instruments! Such talent goes down in history along with Beethoven and Bach. What artist would you have liked to perform at the Super Bowl? An idiot rapper? Come on, open your ears!

Rosemary Gomez

February 12, 2005 -- HeatherMills.org

A Note from Heather

Dear Friends,

I am absolutely overwhelmed by the thousands of emails that I have read offering unconditional support and friendship to me and my family. Reading these has fueled me with the energy, determination and compassion I need to keep doing the work I value so much, and to ignore those who do nothing. You have all been so generous with your thoughts, time and consideration in making the effort to write to us to make sure, in your words, "that I don't let the B*****ds get me down" (this being the most commonly used term used by you to describe those so-called journalists).

On the other hand, I also received some wonderfully supportive emails from journalists who really want to use their power to make the world a better place and I wish to thank them also from the bottom of my heart.

Let's all try and stay on the path of making this world a better place in whatever way we can.

Lots of Love,

Heather Mills McCartney

February 11, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY QUESTIONS JACKSON'S SANITY

Troubled superstar Michael Jackson's grasp of reality has been questioned by Stella McCartney who recalls his bizarre behavior during visits to her family home.

Sir Paul McCartney's fashion designer daughter believes the Dangerous singer was eccentric even in comparison to other musicians way back in the early '80s when he would visit her Beatle dad at their house in East Sussex, England.

Of her father's famous guests, McCartney says, "They'd smoke weed. But don't print that. Oh, I couldn't possibly say (who).

"It just seemed normal when people like Stevie Woncer and Neil Young came round. They were normal.

"And some of them weren't normal. Michael Jackson came, but before the masks and all the surgery."

February 11, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY WILL ONLY WEAR OWN DESIGNS

Stella McCartney refuses to wear clothes from other designers because it would be a sleight on her own label.

The fashion designer only wears items from her own range with Gucci Group which she ensures fulfils all her sartorial requirements.

The 33-year-old says, "If I was looking to buy another designer's clothes, I wouldn't be doing my job properly.

"I facilitate all of my needs with my own label."

February 11, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY LEARNED TO GET TOUGH FROM SCHOOL

Stella McCartney is relieved she attended a local school and not a private one - as the tough environment "strengthened" her.

The fashion-designing daughter of Sir Paul McCartney and the late Linda McCartney believes being sent to the comprehensive school near their family home in East Sussex, England taught her how to stand up for herself.

The 33-year-old says, "I didn't have a bad childhood. I didn't have an idyllic one either...

"I got a bit of a hard time at comprehensive school, but I think that really strengthened me.

"If I'd gone to a private school, it would have been all 'Oh, there's lady da-di-da', that kind of circle'."

February 11, 2005 -- The Macca Report

Millions tuned in to watch McCartney

An estimated 86.1 million tuned in to watch Super Bowl XXXIX and Paul McCartney on February 6th.

Forty-one years earlier in 1964, almost to the day, 73 million people tuned in to watch the Beatles, February 9th on the Ed Sullivan show.

February 11, 2005 -- Express Times

McCartney can sing at my Super Bowl any year

I'm standing up in defense of Paul McCartney. Granted, he needs my support like Jon Bon Jovi needs hair implants, but the former Beatle has it nonetheless.

Since the Super Bowl last weekend, various voices have piped up to say the halftime show was "boring" and "a bit off-putting for the kids.

Well, I don't know too many kids who can afford a hemi.

First, play to your demographic. I know I'm getting old, but I'm totally over these halftime shows that are out of style before the song is over.

Everybody lost their minds last year because Janet Jackson's boob fell out (By the way, I've seen the pictures, it wasn't that cute so I'm totally buying that it was indeed a wardrobe malfunction. In addition, why is it so often that it's Jackson's wardrobe malfunction when it was Justin Timberlake who ripped off the fabric? I can't hear you over the blinding white man-ness of the situation.) and now that there's a musical halftime with real live music, people are bored.

Fickle, fickle people.

I liked it. I liked it a lot.

McCartney is a fantastic songwriter, musician and singer. He's genuine and you don't find that often in the music business these days. Frankly, I even found Alicia Keys' version of "America the Beautiful" a bit affected. I'm not saying she's not talented, I'm just saying it was a little much trying to over-sing Ray Charles.

I thought McCartney's "Live and Let Die" was amazing with the pyrotechnics. It put a Kiss concert to shame.

And "Hey Jude" was great. I was totally in love with the placards in red, white and blue screaming "Na! Na! Na!"

The funniest commentary I read though had to be from the Associated Press: "but it was odd to see the red, white and blue placards co-opt one of the original British musical invaders for an all-American event."

Um no doubt the Super Bowl is all-American, however, I do want to point out the national colors of Sir McCartney s homeland are also red, white and blue.

Snicker, snicker.

Arts and Entertainment Editor April Helmer can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at ahelmer@express-times.com.

February 11, 2005 -- Statepress.com

Opinion: McCartney takes Super Bowl to new days of glory

The NFL made a great choice this year in having Sir Paul McCartney perform during the halftime show. Do 12 minutes of McCartney fill the hole left by last year's infamous Wardrobe Malfunction? Maybe not, but those few minutes gave the Super Bowl halftime show something that it has been missing in recent times: class.

If any music has managed to stand the test of time, it is the music of McCartney. Once again, as he has done so many times before, McCartney stole the show.

The atmosphere inside the stadium appeared to be electric in a way that I don't recall seeing in a while. Refreshingly, the show's producers didn't try to flaunt sex like it was going out of style.

The show came to a grand climax during the song "Hey Jude." McCartney had the entire crowd chanting in unison "Na, na, na, nananana...nananana". Even my family was swaying back and forth as we all chanted along with the TV, smiling from ear to ear.

The NFL scored big on Super Bowl Sunday--and with class. The game's organizers should be congratulated.

Hopefully the success of this year's show will inspire the corporate staff in charge of the halftime show to use this year's show as a blueprint for the future.

But putting Jessica Simpson in a two-piece outfit could be considered an exception.

February 10, 2005 -- NY Daily News

Paul wants to get back Honor

It's clear why the National Football League chose Paul McCartney for its Super Bowl halftime show after Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's fumble last year. But why did Sir Paul, who's got no CD to push, do it?

"He's trying to get back in the good graces of the powers that be in this country, especially in Washington," claims a source. "He wants to get the Kennedy Center honor that he turned down."

In 2002, the former Beatle backed off accepting the honor, considered the nation's highest for a performer, due to "an inescapable personal obligation."

News reports indicated that would be the wedding of his designing daughter, Stella - but the events were days apart. A source told us that Paul's second wife, Heather, was tired of negative publicity she was then getting, like her conflicts with Linda's children, so McCartney decided to defer it. But the center's board - which the next year released only the terse statement: "Paul McCartney will not be receiving a Kennedy Center Honor" - has since given the award to Paul Simon, James Brown and Elton John.

Conspiracy theorists may note that Don Mischer Productions, which produces the Kennedy Center Honors, produced the halftime show.

McCartney's rep Paul Freundlich told us, "He really did have a family matter to attend to at the time. The [Super Bowl and the Kennedy Center Honors] have no relation whatsoever. Why would someone do the Super Bowl - reaching 144.4 million in the United States and 1 billion worldwide - to get to the Kennedy Center Honors?"

"It was a PR move," insists our source.

February 9, 2005 -- NBCSanDiego.com

McCartney, Super Bowl Ads Target Of FCC Complaints

As clean as Paul McCartney's Super Bowl halftime show was, four people still found something to complain about to the Federal Communications Commission.

Mediaweek magazine says two people complained that McCartney's performance was too boring.

Another two found drug references in one of his songs.

Eight people complained about the GoDaddy.com spot with the busty brunette.

Pepsi was a target, too. One person didn't like Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" checking out a hunk in the cola drink's ad.

February 9, 2005

Heather Mills McCartney was photographed today in New York at Nanette Lepore's fashion show held at Bryant Park. Top designers from around the world have gathered in New York for Fashion Week. PHOTOS

February 9, 2005
While in Jacksonville, Fla Paul stayed on Amelia Island at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and had the use of a yacht (pictured). Rooms at the hotel had to be 'animal free.' No leather, etc.

February 9, 2005 -- Star Telegram.com

People Watch

Just 24 hours after Paul McCartney's Super Bowl halftime show, products bearing his name were flying off the shelves at Amazon.com. His CD "All the Best" went from a sales rank of 3,115 to 331. And "Wingspan" (Hits & History) moved from 1,060 to 144.

February 9, 2005 -- Gigwise.com

Elvis Presley Styrofoam Cup For Sale To Paul McCartney

A world-famous Styrofoam cup once used by Elvis Presley is being sold for $10,000 on the site eBay but only if Paul McCartney bids.

If McCartney places the bid, the owner of the 'Elvis Cup', Wade Jones claims he will donate all proceeds to Heather McCartney's favourite charity 'No More Landmines'.

Jones has been offered thousands of dollars for the cup on many occasions, but has so far refused all offers. The cup manufacturer Dart Container has also allegedly put in a bid.

Jones also takes it on tour with him around the US to raise money for various charities.

Wade Jones took the cup from an Elvis concert in Charlotte in February 1977, six months before the legendary singer died. Wade has since built up a cult status for the relic.

He even has a website, elviscup.com, which celebrates the cup and supplies facts.

February 9, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY SLAMS FORMER FASHION HOUSE

Stella McCartney has furiously hit out at her previous employers for crediting her former assistant PHoebe Philo with all of her designs.

Sir Paul McCartney's 33-year-old daughter has slammed French fashion house Chloe for claiming its success is solely down to contributions made by Philo, who worked for McCartney during her four-year tenure as chief designer.

McCartney left in 2001 to start her own line at Gucci, while Philo remained to run the Chloe label alone.

She says, "Yeah, Phoebe did it all, whatever. It's infuriating because a lot of that came from the Chloe camp. It was being spun, the whole thing. It was disappointing."

February 7, 2005 -- People

All His Loving

He's this year's Super Bowl halftime act, but what really gives Sir Paul McCartney a kick at 62 is life with wife Heather and baby Beatrice.

Just how content is Paul McCartney these days? Even without consulting her astrological charts, British horoscope writer June Penn thinks she knows. From her house next door in Hove, a seaside town near Brighton, England, where McCartney and wife Heather have a $1.3 million home, Penn says she often sees the couple "sitting close to each other on the veranda in the morning, gazing at each other over their bowls of cornflakes. They look very happy." One day last summer, in fact, while Sir Paul was chatting with Penn on the beach, he gazed out to sea, spread his arms wide and, Penn recalls, exclaimed, "Oh God, this is all I want in life!"

At 62--closing in on the age that defined decrepitude in his 1967 classic "When I'm Sixty-Four"--the billionaire ex-Beatle certainly has plenty to celebrate. His 2002-03 world tour was a sellout; this week he's the main attraction at the Super Bowl XXXIX halftime show in Jacksonville, Fla. ("It's either him or Janet Jackson," quips his brother Mike McCartney.) Daughter Stella, 33, is due to give birth to his third grandchild this spring. And friends say Sir Paul and Heather, 37, whom he wed four years after losing first wife Linda to breast cancer in 1998, both delight in their 15-month-old daughter Beatrice. "It's fun to hear him speak of her--his whole face lights up," says pal Wendy Walker Whitworth, senior executive producer at Larry King Live. "She is absolutely captivating."

Less captivating, to be sure, is the continuing criticism of the second Mrs. McCartney in the British press. Since they began dating in 1999, she has been branded a gold digger and accused of alienating McCartney's grown children. In addition, she is said to control everything from her husband's attire ("groovy granddad," as tabloids described his new suits and sneakers look) to his hair, now noticeably less gray. The bad press clearly stings: In a rare interview last month, Lady McCartney told Britain's Sunday Times she planned to avoid "being whipped and lashed anymore" by staying "completely behind the scenes" of Adopt- a-Minefield, the charity she has vigorously promoted but fears will suffer from the negative coverage.

Not surprisingly, some close to the couple say the sniping is unfair. "She has married one of Britain's most loved men--that's a huge pressure," says a source. "But in terms of wearing the trousers--well, John Lennon couldn't push him around, so she will have no chance." A friend of Heather's in Los Angeles, where she has been working to secure her own television talk show, says both she and Paul "are the people they appear--charming, real, focused. And they've got a great marriage."

If there is a source of discontent in McCartney's life, in fact, it may be more professional than personal. "He would love to write a hit song, but he can't write like he did," says an intimate. Not that it's slowing him down. McCartney plans to tour again this fall and, as always, Heather will be at his side. "Because, you know, you love each other, you want to be with each other," Sir Paul told People. "We're lucky in that."

February 7, 2005 -- Daily Mail

Not such a hard day's night

Even by Sir Paul McCartney's standards, it counts as a major payday.

The 62-year-old star was promised £1.8 million ($3.3 million) for his 12-minute half-time appearance early today at America's greatest sporting event, the Super Bowl.

That equates to £150,000 ($28,050) a minute or £2,500 ($4,675) a second.

Sir Paul's performance in Jacksonville, Florida in front of an estimated TV audience of one billion, included the Beatles songs "Drive My Car," "Get Back" and "Hey Jude," plus his Bond theme song "Live and Let Die."

It was expected to prove somewhat less controversial than last year's half-time act, when Janet Jackson outraged America as she flashed a breast during a dance routine with Justin Timberlake.

On Saturday, it emerged that friends of Sir Paul were concerned that he had co-written a song with his second wife Heather for his latest album, and she played saxophone on it.

She was seen by some as trying too enthusiastically to replace his late first wife Linda, who played in McCartney's band Wings.

The criticism appears to have touched a nerve with Sir Paul who issued an 800-word statement on his 37-year-old wife's personal website.

He said she had never forced him into anything he did not want to do and had not been responsible for rifts with his friends or his family.

"It hurts me to see her wounded and not have anyone to put the record straight," he said. "The media sometimes suggests a rift between my kids and Heather but in fact we get on great and anyone who knows our family can see this for themselves."

He also attacked his former publicist Geoff Baker who, it has been reported, was sacked at Heather's behest.

"The actual truth, which I had been trying to spare him the embarrassment of going public with, was that he had gradually been getting more and more unstable over the past few years," said Sir Paul.

"I tried to let him down gently but it was my decision alone to let him go as I didn't want that kind of instability around me. It was nothing whatsoever to do with Heather.

Yesterday Baker responded to the allegation saying," If I'm unstable that might be because somebody had driven me to that."

Making a reference to the continuing ill-feeling between McCartney and John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, he added, "I don't want to say any more because I have no intention of becoming Paul's new Yoko."

The former journalist could, however, have the last word. Sources close to Baker revealed that a novel he started writing after his sacking is about a journalist and PR man dealing with celebrities.

Titled" You Probably Think This Book Is About You," in an echo of lyrics to the Carly Simon song "You're So Vain." It is really a subject of a bidding war between three publishing companies.

February 6, 2005 -- USA Today

McCartney Plays It Safe at Super Bowl

Nobody, but nobody was worried when Paul McCartney stripped off his jacket midway through his halftime performance at the Super Bowl. All he revealed was a long-sleeved red shirt. Nothing malfunctioned. And if he wore any nipple jewelry, he mercifully kept it to himself.

NFL officials wanted a safe halftime show after last year's Janet Jackson fiasco, and McCartney delivered. It was sweet nostalgia for the people stunned by Jackson's MTV-produced spectacle, if a bit off-putting for the kids: Each of his four songs was more than 30 years old.

McCartney's stage set - a giant cross of video boards on the stadium floor with the singer at the center - was visually arresting, although it made his opening song, "Drive My Car,'' look like one of the broadcast's dozens of auto commercials.

McCartney's theatrical James Bond theme "Live and Let Die'' was a perfect backdrop for a stadium fireworks show. The lights, placards and video images also made "Hey Jude'' a sight to see, although it was odd to see the red, white and blue placards co-opt one of the original British musical invaders for an all-American event.

There wasn't any danger of a lip-synch controversy, either: you could tell it was the lived-in voice of a 62-year-old singing.

It was strange seeing the former Beatle, a bold and shocking performer for another generation, now presented as the sedate option. NFL censors were probably hoping the "California grass'' reference in "Get Back'' slipped by unnoticed, or figured people would think he was simply referring to a football field.
February 6, 2005

Macca's Halftime Performance

As posted Thursday (Feb.3) on the Macca Report, Paul performed a four song setlist of "Drive My Car," "Get Back," "Live and Let Die" with spectacular pyrotechnics and a shortened version of "Hey Jude" for his halftime Super Bowl performance.

The field around the stage was filled with 2,000 volunteers in their teens and 20s cheering Macca on. Paul was center stage with four video screen ramps that extended out into the field.

During "Hey Jude" there were red, white and blue placards held by Super Bowl fans in the stands that read "NA, NA, NA."

February 6, 2005

Paul interviewed on the Super Bowl Preshow

Paul was on the Super Bowl pregame show with Terry Bradshaw at 5 pm ET (for three minutes) and mentioned that the US tour will start September 16 in Miami and travel up the east coast and head west ending up November 30 in Los Angeles. He sang the chorus of "She Loves You" with Bradshaw this time.

February 6, 2005n -- Jacksonville.com

Paul the veggie man

At Paul McCartney's news conference Thursday (February 3), he came into the room carrying a synthetic football, a seemingly odd thing to do in front of a room full of sportswriters accustomed to the traditional leather ball. But it's not so unusual for Sir Paul, a well-known vegetarian.

On his 2002 U.S. tour, his contract (posted at TheSmokingGun.com) stipulated that the furniture in the rooms where he stayed could have no furniture made of any animal skin or print. There could be no leather seats in his limos and no meat or meat by-products could be served anywhere in the backstage area of his concerts.

Chef Joe Harrold, lead instructor at the FCCJ (Florida Community College at Jacksonville) Culinary School, is preparing McCartney's Super Bowl meal.

He'll be served a salad of wild mushrooms with fresh herb balsamic dressing; creamy tofu hummus; black bean and corn salad; fried green tomatoes with green, yellow and red roasted pepper; marinated grilled tofu steaks with a fresh tomato and red onion salsa; eggplant casserole topped off with shredded vegan cheese; brown rice and assorted baby organic vegetables; and organic fruits with a sweet soy yogurt.

February 6, 2005

Paul entertains guest at Super Bowl 'after party'

After the Superbowl there was an 'after party' thrown by Paul at The Grill Restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Amelia Island where the band and Paul were staying. Bill Clinton was one of the guests. Macca couldn't resist playing the restaurant's grand piano and entertained the guests with a few tunes.

February 6, 2005 -- UK News

Stella McCartney claims being famous makes her and her pals feel like a "freak show."

The pregnant designer, 33, says, "It's probably annoying to see famous people. Like when Gwyneth came backstage, I didn't want the press to get this cheese-bomb picture, but I also didn't want to ignore one of my best friends. It's almost like you're a freak show."

February 5, 2005 -- New York Times

At This Halftime, Prudence Will Come Out to Play

Paul McCartney, in a peach-colored sweater and faded jeans, sat in a ballroom full of cameras and reporters Thursday, playing a new role 41 years after the Beatles stormed America: the restorer of Super Bowl decency and family values.

So many years ago, the moptops from Liverpool were viewed as sinful corrupters of our youth. But 12 months after Janet Jackson's right breast was revealed by Justin Timberlake for a stunning instant at halftime of the Super Bowl on CBS, McCartney is the N.F.L.'s musical savior who is not expected to soil the conservative league's world showcase with lyrical or garment high jinks.

"They had the idea that I might not have a wardrobe malfunction," McCartney said at a news conference Thursday. "I can tell you I won't."

He later added, "I don't have a wardrobe to malfunction."

But the league's trust in McCartney, the 62-year-old musical icon, went only so far. No one, not even Sir Paul, was going to perform in front of 140 million or so viewers in the United States without undergoing an investigation by league officials of his or her lyrics, clothing and dance steps.

So last fall, after submitting a list of the four or five songs he wanted to perform ("Hey Jude" was among those discussed, but the final play list is secret), a group of six league officials pored over his lyrics.

"Every single word," said Brian McCarthy, a league spokesman, who was one of the judges of what are deemed classic rock lyrics.

Charles Coplin, the league's vice president for entertainment, said it was weird to comb through lyrics that were so familiar and so much a part of people's lives. "Paul McCartney and the Beatles sang about peace and love," he said. "There's nothing in his catalogue that is controversial."

The sextet of vetters even sang the words aloud, McCarthy said. Finally, after a short time, the league's lyric inspectors judged McCartney's songs to be safe for worldwide ears.

"Not a single word was changed," McCarthy, the spokesman, added.

The same word-for-word vetting was done for the songs that will be performed in the pregame show by the Black Eyed Peas, Gretchen Wilson, the Charlie Daniels Band and Earth, Wind and Fire.

In addition, the performers signed contracts that subject them to a possible fine for any untoward, profane, obscene or otherwise embarrassing acts, and exile for them and their record labels from future Super Bowls.
If the close eyeballing of familiar lyrics that long ago became part of the global song book ruffled McCartney, he did not say so.

"I was asked to do it and I was really just told how long I had to play," he said, seated behind a table, holding a white football. "So I just said what I wanted to do, and they said O.K."

Bruce Morrow, the longtime New York disc jockey known as Cousin Brucie, said he was amazed that McCartney's (and presumably some of John Lennon's) lyrics needed the league's inspection.

"Paul McCartney is a sincere, ethical and honest musician, and I'd have no concern about his lyrics," Morrow, a D.J. for WCBS-FM, said in a telephone interview. "If there's anybody I'd trust, it would be Paul. When you talk about Paul, John, George and Ringo, you get a feeling of something warm in your tummy."

Viewers should not expect McCartney to sing "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" or "Get Back"(!) - with their presumed or overt drug and sexual references - to a Super Bowl audience in the post-Jackson era. Given the climate and the league's control of every element of the day's entertainment, McCartney will certainly sing well-known songs that will not offend anyone.

McCartney said he was unaware of the Jackson incident until other people told him about it. When he received the call to sing at halftime - a step up from singing his post-9/11 anthem, "Freedom," in the pregame program three years ago - he said he had a "slight inkling" that the league wanted to use him to fix the tainted halftime that once guaranteed complete safety from outrage by booking acts like Up with People and Carol Channing.
After the Jackson breast-baring, the league and the Federal Communications Commission were flooded with complaints, and the F.C.C. levied a fine of $550,000 apportioned among each of 20 stations that are owned and operated by CBS. The fine has been challenged and not yet paid. Some networks also chose to impose a short delay on their sportscasts, like ABC's "Monday Night Football," to avoid future embarrassment.

Out of that wilderness comes McCartney with assurances that his clothing will stay on and his songs will please.

February 5, 2005 -- Message from Brian Ray

Hey everybody,

I have a little surprise for all of you on my website.

Please take a look at the new "music" section when you get a moment or so.

It's a great day today in Florida as we get ready to perform at the Super Bowl!

Stay tuned,

Rock on!
Brian

Go to Brian's official Web site, click on "Music" and download his new song!

http://www.brian-ray.com

February 5, 2005 -- Daily Mail

McCartney's second wife takes a leaf out of Linda's book.

Now Heather is getting in on the pop star act, too

When Sir Paul McCartney's bride Heather Mills embraced animal charities and vegetarian causes, she was accused of trying too hard to replace his late wife Linda.

Her defiant reaction is to join her husband in the recording studio just like Linda did.

The former lingerie model has co-written a love song with Sir Paul, 62, for his next album. She also accompanied him on saxophone for the recording at Ocean Way studios in Los Angeles.

The song, said by sources to be a slushy R&B-style effort, is called "I'll Testify (To the Power of Love.") NOTE: First reported here on the Macca Report!

Sir Paul's other musicians apparently grumbled when he announced that his 36-year-old wife would be joining the session, but sources claim they were "pleasantly surprised" by her expertise.

Heather has enjoyed playing the saxophone for many years and she performed at the wedding of Sir Paul's second cousin Sally four years ago.

Linda accompanied her husband on keyboards, tambourine and harmonica(?) in his band Wings. Just as Linda became an animal rights activist and huge seller of vegetarian food, the new Lady McCartney has espoused the same animal charities, recently doing an advert for the campaigning group PETA, and is writing a vegetarian cookbook.

Her appearance on the album will support claims that Sir Paul finds it difficult to say no to his fame-hungry wife.

The pair made a bizarre appearance on the Christmas version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" after she encouraged her husband to dye his hair. (See Note from Paul below)

Her ambitions to host a TV chatshow in America have led to the couple, who have a 16-month-old daughter, Bea, spending most of the last few months away from home.

"Heather is trying just a little bit too hard to be involved and it is putting a lot of people's back up," said a friend of Sir Paul. "She has no place on a Paul McCartney album but this just shows how under her thumb he is.

"He is one of the most famous and best-loved songwriters in the history of music, so what the hell is he doing writing a song with her?

She seems desperate for fame but Paul will be seriously ruining his credibility by having her on the album."

February 5, 2005 -- heathermillsmccartney.com

Paul sets the record straight about: Heather, his hair, plastic surgery, Geoff Baker, Lennon/McCartney and his kids

A Note from Paul

Over the years people have written so much stuff about me. Some of it is good and some true, but much of it is inaccurate and leads some people to form a distorted view of me and those I love.

Normally I ignore it, telling myself that I can't answer every single point and that most people know better than to believe it, and prefer to make up their own minds based on what they know to be true. Sometimes, however, these inaccurate articles affect my family and friends, and it is then that I'm tempted to put the record straight.

One person in particular, that some of the media can be wildly wrong about is my wife Heather, and it hurts me to see her wounded by these scurrilous reports, and not have anyone to put the record straight. Because of this I thought that it would be a good idea to tell the people who care about us, and believe in what we do, the truth about some of these ridiculous stories, which are made up by people we have never ever met.

Recently articles have appeared which need correcting, so here are my thoughts on a few of the points mentioned in them.

Heather makes me dye my hair not true. It is true that I colour my hair. Wow, Shock Horror! I've actually been doing this for many years now with varying degrees of success, but it's my hair, and if you don't like the result I'm afraid it's just too bad, but it's certainly nothing Heather suggested. I was engaged in this devilish practice years before I met her. I remember a strange blue dye dripping down my forehead on an Australian tour over ten years ago, but let's face it, if I want to dye my hair pink, that's up to me and no one else. The suggestion that it was Heather's doing simply isn't true.

The split between my former publicist Geoff Baker and me has also been attributed to Heather. The actual truth, which I had been trying to spare him the embarrassment of going public with, was that he had gradually been getting more and more unstable over the past few years. The last straw came when a group of friends and I went late one night to see the magician David Blaine doing a stunt by the side of the River Thames. I was keeping out of sight of a small crowd of photographers when to my horror I saw Geoff pointing me out to the paparazzi who then ran towards me in a feeding frenzy. None of us could understand why he had done this, but it was just another example of his crazy behaviour. After that I tried to let him down gently but it was my decision alone to let him go as I didn't want that kind of instability around me. It was nothing whatsoever to do with Heather.

The awkward subject of the Lennon McCartney credits on our songs was also put down to Heather's influence over me but this actually originated at the time of the Beatles Anthology in 1997 when I, foolishly perhaps, asked for my name to come in front of John's on the one song, Yesterday. The request was turned down and even though I didn't see why at the time, it's something that I don't have a problem with anymore. But it was plainly before Heather's time and she therefore couldn't have had anything to do with it.

The media sometimes suggests a rift between my kids and Heather, but in fact we get on great and anyone who knows our family can see this for themselves.

Heather and I recently decided to appear on the quiz show Celebrity Millionaire. It was something we had fun doing and incidentally we raised a substantial amount of money for our landmine charity Adopt a Minefield. It's an insult to my intelligence to imagine me being coerced into something like that. In fact, were both fans of the programme and we had a good laugh taking part in it.

Heather is also, according to some of these mischevious writers, supposed to encourage me to 'go to the opening of an envelope'. Really? Compared to many people we hardly go to anything unless it's connected with our charity work. Again, anything we do attend is a joint decision.

Some of the stuff that is written is plain malevolence but some of it is so ridiculous that I have to admit it's funny. One rumour is that Heather has made me have plastic surgery. Now the truth, honest guvner, is that I haven't had any done, but in flicking through a magazine recently I came across someone who appeared to know better! An LA plastic surgeon had a book out in which he claims I've had some work done! OK, now I know it's not true, but this guy knows better. How ? The proof, he reckons, is that...wait for it my ear lobes are too low!.. and, says he, you know how you can tell people have had plastic surgery? They deny it!!! At first I felt like entering into a long debate with him about it, but it's so hilarious that I decided not to bother.

Although some of these articles can be funny, there are others that are plain malicious and you need to be strong not to be hurt by some of the cruel suggestions that flow from these people's pens.

One of the most shocking recent statements was that "losing her leg was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to Heather as it fed her desire for self publicity" Imagine losing a leg, and dealing with it as bravely as Heather has done and having to read that on top of it!

She was reported to always be clinging to me, the inference being that she was too possessive. Never mind the fact that I love her holding my arm, the real truth is that often the surface of a floor or pavement can be dangerous for an amputee to walk on, and a little help from a friend can sometimes be appreciated. These scurrilous writers can't be bothered to search for the truth of situations like these.

There are so many other misapprehensions that are spread by certain sections of the media that it is impossible to answer them all. I only hope that these words of mine help genuine people to get a clearer view of the realities of our lives, and encourage them to think for themselves, and not give credence to words by people who simply don't care about the truth.

Thanks for listening.

All the Best,

Paul McCartney

February 4, 2005 -- MorningCall.com

McCartney and nudity meet Leigh's monkeys

By now, you're fed up with Tom Brady's hair, Donovan McNabb's soup, Bill Belichick's headbands and Terrell Owens', well, Terrell Owens.

So let's find out why Paul McCartney might be naked at halftime and why agent Leigh Steinberg invited monkeys to his annual bash.

Evidently, Super Bowl week began in proper Thursday, because that's when the sexy folks began arriving. The celebrities who want us to know how plush their parties are but won't actually invite us to them. The pseudo-celebrities who so nonchalantly linger a few extra seconds for photographers. Ed Rendell.

And, bigger than all of them, Paul McCartney. He began rehearsals Thursday at Alltell Stadium for what his producer promised would be the largest, most technically complicated halftime show in the history of Mother Creation.

This year, the pasties will be wireless.

Ah, yes, Janet Jackson. She's in town, too, scheduled to perform at a charity concert Saturday night. McCartney insisted Thursday that there will be no wardrobe malfunction this year.

''I won't,'' he said, ''because I'll be naked.''

Better that than another duet with Terry Bradshaw, which, sadly, Fox already has scheduled. If you want to dodge it, be somewhere else from 5- 5:30pm ET.

Elsewhere, Tom Cruise supposedly has been sighted on the beach (though who can tell through the fog), and Will Smith has been hanging around the Philadelphia Eagles.

Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Burt Reynolds are milling about, so promotion of their remake of 'The Longest Yard' can't be far behind. And citizens have to bob and weave around the downtown area known as The Landing, lest they get clipped by Tom Arnold chasing down a microphone.

Still, McCartney towers above the rest. He severely overwhelmed the wattage of Paula Abdul, who nevertheless got the front row at McCartney's press conference.

The NFL brought McCartney to the Super Bowl hoping to restore some decency to its halftime show. Funny that. If the elders are correct, didn't McCartney and his band of Liverpudlians cause an outbreak of immorality 40 years ago?

Anyway, the NFL isn't letting MTV anywhere near this production, which is for the best. Snoop Dogg has taken over the rest of the city; let the little ones have some peace.

''No one who knew about [last year's halftime show] said, 'That's a cool idea, but this is not the right place,''' said producer Don Mischer. ''We think this show is going to be very appropriate. Besides, Beatles music is coming back.''

That's a relief.

Jacksonville, meanwhile, hopes to at least quell the remainder of the debauchery. According to the Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville has the most restrictive adult entertainment laws in the state. Most ''exotic lounges'' are called bikini bars, which is unlikely to please the cast of Fox's ''Best Damn Sports Show.''

But they'll find something else to do. Like Saturday's ''Pimps and Hos'' bash, featuring Mr. Dogg and Cedric the Entertainer. Or Steinberg's party.

The sports agent, who has hosted Super Bowl parties for 19 years, has rented out the Times-Union Performing Arts Center for his gig Saturday. Steinberg told a local radio show that the party, extremely popular with athletes, will have a jungle theme. Hence the monkeys and live exotic birds he'll bring in. Brokers are hawking tickets for $1,900.

That's the Super Bowl you won't see on television. Paul McCartney is the Super Bowl you will see. There's a difference, and maybe the NFL and its subsidiaries now get that.

''The message of my songs is peace, love, come together,'' McCartney said. ''You know, it's the same old one, but I can't think of anything better.

February 3, 2005 -- Press Conference highlights Video links

Question: What were you last memories of Jacksonville?

PAUL: My last memories of Jacksonville are exactly that: We were coming here (in 1964), then we were told there was a hurricane (Dora) and we weren't going to be able to play here. We went down to Key West, stayed in, like, a motel for a few days -- probably to get out of the path of the hurricane. Then we came back there. That's what I remember Jacksonville for -- that hurricane.

Question: Do you think it will rain during the Super Bowl?

PAUL: It will not rain. I know these things.

Question: Any thought as to what part of your body you might expose during the halftime Super Bowl show?

PAUL: You know I can't hear that question. Sorry, say that again? I think they have an idea I might not have a wardrobe malfunction and I can safely tell you I won't, because we're going to play NAKED!

Question: For the fans, what are you up to this year after the Super Bowl is over...?

PAUL: After the Super Bowl... I go back to England. I'm working on a new record which will be released towards the end of the year. I've gotta new tour of America.

Question: What is the message in your music?

PAUL: I just think the message of my songs is generally peace, love, come together and I think that's as good a message as I can deliver... I can't think of anything better.

Paul signed a few autographs for fans after the press conference.

February 3, 2005 -- SportsIllustrated.com

McCartney still draws large crowds

The biggest press conference crowd on Thursday at the Super Bowl Media Center didn't belong to Emmitt Smith's retirement announcement or players' union chief Gene Upshaw.

It was legendary rocker Paul McCartney who proved he can still packthem in by drawing a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 1,500 media members to discuss his Sunday halftime appearance.

"There will be no wardrobe malfunction with me. I can promise you that," McCartney said. "I have nothing I will be exposing or taking off."

The aging former Beatle has been staying in a rented home this week on the Florida coast near Amelia Island, but said he has been mainly avoiding the party scene, in-between rehearsals for his first Super Bowl solo halftime appearance.

"I didn't really understand what you call football over here when I first saw it, but somebody told me to watch the guy in the center, the quarterback, and it became a lot clearer to me."

To prove his love for the American game, he ended his press conference by tossing a football into the media crowd.

February 3, 2005 -- KTRE.com

Paul attended the Super Bowl press conference this afternoon at Alltel Stadium which was said to be the largest attendance for any Super Bowl press conference. MORE PHOTOS

Paul McCartney says he had a "slight inkling" that his job is to clean up the Super Bowl halftime show.

McCartney will play during halftime at Sunday's game, the first Super Bowl since Justin Timberlake tore Janet Jackson's top at last year's halftime show.

McCartney says the N-F-L has an idea he won't have a wardrobe malfunction. He says he doesn't mind that he's been brought in to restore the Super Bowl's reputation, because it's still a great honor to play the show.

McCartney won't reveal what songs he'll play, but he promises his band is the kind that will "just rock."

And when asked which part of his anatomy he'll expose, McCartney pretended not to hear the question.

February 3, 2005 -- Daily Show humor - NY Times

Sir Paul's Playbook

This year's halftime entertainment will be provided by Paul McCartney, who will entertain for the entire 12 minutes and whose every word and move will be vetted and reviewed by the league.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

To: Paul McCartney

From: The N.F.L.

Re: Super Bowl halftime show

Thank you for coming by this morning; my wife was very impressed to hear that I got to meet a former Beatle, especially one who isn't Ringo. She wanted me to ask if you remember her. She saw you at the Milwaukee Arena in 1964. She says she screamed "Paul!" throughout your show, and that you looked over and winked at her. She was wearing a red hat. Anyway, if you do remember her: She says hi.

Moving on. We've reviewed your set list and dance routine, and we have just a few notes:

We like the simple shirt and slacks that you have chosen as your outfit. However, to prevent even the slightest possibility of a "wardrobe malfunction," we were wondering if you could maybe wear something extra over your outfit? Or maybe under it? Like an extra pair of underpants over your usual underpants? Or maybe a sweater, and a second pair of pants over your original pair of pants? Nothing too noticeable - just a little insurance. I'm sure you understand.

"Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da": Is there something you can say after "life goes on" that's not "bra"? The word still makes us a little nervous around here. Thanks.

"Blackbird": "Take these broken wings and learn to fly"? It's a lovely image, Paul, but: Children are going to be watching this. No parent wants to have to explain injured birds to their children, especially not on Super Sunday. Can you sing around it so the bird's wings aren't broken? Maybe the bird could take its "bucket o' wings" and learn to fly? KFC may pay for the product placement. Just a thought.

"I Saw Her Standing There": "Well, she was just 17, you know what I mean"? I am fairly certain that I do not know what you mean, but I do know that she'd better be at least 18. Make that 21. Or 25. She was just 25. That works fine.

Sorry to circle back to this, but we've been thinking more about your outfit. Maybe you could wear both the extra underpants and the sweater and extra pants? You know, just to be safe? Also: Some of us are a bit worried about the hip motions while you're dancing. They seem a tad suggestive. Could you maybe dance without moving your hips? Or your feet? You may, of course, continue to use your arms.

"A Hard Day's Night": We're a bit concerned about the line about how, when "I get home to you, I'll find the things that you do, will make me feel all right." That is upsettingly vague, like the things that she does might be rated, you know, more than PG. Maybe you could sub in something more specific and G-rated, like: "But when I get home to you, I find the board games we play will make me feel all right." It's the same general idea, I think you'll find.

"A Day in the Life": "He blew his mind out in his car"? No, Paul. No, he didn't.

"Get Back": So let's see: Our hero, Jojo, "left his home in Tucson, Arizona, for some California grass," and our heroine, Loretta Martin, "thought she was a woman, but she was another man." And here I thought Ringo was the funny one! You really had us going for a minute there! (Um, if you weren't joking: No.)

Just got back from a meeting with wardrobe, and they want me to ask: How would you feel about a suit of armor? As I understand it, you've been knighted, so you probably have one lying around, yes? If not, we can provide one for you. Just ask!

Well, that's all we've got for now. If anything else comes to us, we'll let you know. Can't wait for the big show! Rock 'n' roll!

February 3, 2005 -- Detroit News

Paul's alive -- and super popular

He's performing at halftime and has new generation of fans -- but believers of 36-year-old death rumor are unconvinced.

Paul McCartney who plays at halftime during Sunday's Super Bowl, is still the subject of death rumors.

Thirty-six years ago Detroit disc jockey Russ Gibb found himself at the center of a burgeoning conspiracy theory. Was Paul McCartney of the Beatles dead?

The human love of a mystery, a fascination with death and Beatlemania all came together to whip U.S. teenagers into a frenzy over what seems today a laughable urban legend. In the past month, Gibb has been interviewed by two crews, one from a Russian TV production company, and one from the Netherlands, about his role in kicking the "Paul is Dead" rumor into overdrive by airing "clues" to his death on his WKNR-FM radio show.

Why the renewed interest decades later? The rumor of McCartney's death, raised and debunked in the fall of 1969, now wends its way across the Internet, where there are scores of "Paul is dead" Web sites.

Perhaps it's because McCartney and the Beatles are still such a big part of the cultural zeitgeist so many years later, with young fans continuing to discover the music. To add to the synchronicity, this Sunday, a very much alive and kicking McCartney is headlining the Super Bowl XXXIX halftime show in Jacksonville, Fla.

"He'll keep his clothes on," halftime show producer Charles Coplin quipped to the Associated Press, in case you forgot about last year's halftime show and the Janet Jackson "reveal."

The durability of the "Paul is dead" legend amazes Gibb. It was several lifetimes ago when he was a disc jockey for underground radio station WKNR-FM on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.

"I don't know why people are so interested," says a bemused Gibb. "I called Dick Purtan up to ask him, because he was on WKNR-AM at the time of the 'Paul is Dead' thing. Dick said he thinks people are thinking about the Beatles because of those albums they just reissued in the fall."

At Violet Elementary School in St. Clair Shores, there are more than a few Beatles fans, even if they haven't discovered the "Paul is dead" rumor yet.

Six-year-old Jarrett Koral presses the school librarians for books about the Beatles. He doesn't hesitate when asked the name of his favorite Beatles album -- the 'White Album' -- or his favorite songs by them: " 'Hey Jude,' 'Can't Buy Me Love,' and 'Yellow Submarine,' " the first grader answers confidently.

Some kids even have their favorite Beatle, much as youngsters of the '60s did. For Lars Syversen, 10, it's Paul McCartney. "I just like their good music and their lifestyle," Syversen says. "They always sing really good songs."

Rachel Willmer, 9, first remembers hearing "Help!" when she was 4 and her brother played it for her. "It was kind of catchy to me," she says. "I like John Lennon the most because he was mostly the leader."

At center of hoax

Gibb, who retired last year as a teacher at Dearborn High School, has his own theories about why young people and children are still intrigued by the Beatles.

"Think of the name," he says. "The Beatles -- that's quite an interesting name. When you're young, insects fascinate you: Butterflies, beetles, ants. Plus some of their songs are just beautiful. We still look at paintings painted 100 years ago, 200 years ago. We look at old architecture and there's beauty in that. Plus they sing about universal themes; love, and the eternal wish for peace."

A Russian TV crew visited Gibb in January, and last week, a group of Dutch film students led by Wouter van Opdorp, 24, of Amsterdam followed Gibb around and quizzed him for a documentary on the "Paul is dead" phenomenon that will air on Dutch public TV.

"I first heard the 'Paul is dead' story when I was 12," says van Opdorp. He was already a Beatles fan, having heard his parents' records.

"Does the Paul McCartney hoax still follow you?" the director quizzed Gibb, on-camera.

"Yes, I'm known as the 'Great Ghoul,' " says the retired teacher. "I had to change my phone number a few years ago. I'd get calls from kids around the country saying, 'Are you the guy who buried Paul McCartney?' And either they were mad about it, or they thought it was cool."

The "Paul is dead" rumor had started in a few college newspapers in September of 1969, but picked up steam when an Eastern Michigan University student, Tom Zarski, called Gibb on his WKNR-FM nighttime show on Oct. 12 and asked if Gibb had heard about it. After that, listeners called in every night to discuss it and mull over messages that came up when Beatles records were played backwards.

Newspaper articles followed, and there was even a November television special taped by RKO Television in Los Angeles and hosted by F. Lee Bailey, on which the famed lawyer quizzed Gibb and others in a mock courtroom setting.

Researching the death rumor

There are a few books on the "Paul is dead" phenomenon, but none as thoroughly researched as "Turn Me On, Dead Man:The Story of the Paul-is-Dead Hoax" (Authorhouse) by Andru J. Reeve, 42.

Reeve was only 7 in 1969 when Gibb started talking about it on WKNR-FM and the rumor flew around the country via old-school media like the telephone, newspapers and word of mouth in high school hallways.

His Beatles fandom hadn't started until the 1970s, after he heard McCartney's James Bond anthem "Live and Let Die." Reeve discovered the rumor of the bassist's demise while researching his favorite band.

"I'm not really sure why it keeps skipping generations," Reeve says of the rumor's potency. "That's amazing to me. You have these kids on the Internet with 'Paul is dead' Web sites. I write about this extensively in my book. I found about 200 Web sites devoted to 'Paul is dead.' "

One reason it's back is the renewed interest in vinyl records among teenagers and young people. You can only listen for Paul-is-dead clues on Beatles records if you have a turntable, and play the vinyl records backwards.

Reeve himself has researched the death rumor for decades, including many months in the Library of Congress, when he wasn't working his day job as a video editor at a television station.

"People love mysteries," says the author. "It's what draws people to religion. Plus it's exciting, it deals with death. Death is the great unknown. Whatever your religion is, the centerpiece is what happens when you die. It's a bigger draw than sex."

In early November 1969, J. Marks wrote an article for the New York Times debunking the "Paul is dead" speculation. Marks had worked with Linda Eastman in 1967 and told Reeve that she expressed interest in meeting Paul. But, Eastman told Marks, she'd heard that he'd died and had been replaced by a double. Later, Eastman moved to London and, of course, met McCartney. When the couple married in March 1969, Marks sent a note saying "Congratulations, whoever you are."

The "Paul is dead" frenzy reached its apex in late October/early November 1969. In early November, Life magazine tracked McCartney to his farm in a remote area of Scotland, and persuaded him to give an interview asserting that yes, he was indeed, alive.

A slower-paced era

It's easy to scoff at the idea of a nation of teenagers becoming obsessed with a rock star's alleged death. And surely, it could only have happened in a pre-Internet time, with less media distractions and when news moved at a slower pace.

But there are oddities and coincidences that still pop up, all these years later. Reeve re-wrote his book last year because of all the new information he's found.

Some believe that the rumor was started by the Beatles themselves.

When Flint native and former Grand Funk Railroad manager Terry Knight was murdered in Texas last November, allegedly by the boyfriend of his daughter, a vital piece of the "Paul is dead" puzzle died with him.

In early 1969, months before the "Paul is dead" rumor, Knight, who was both a disc jockey and recording artist, had a song out called "St. Paul" that seemed to hint at McCartney's demise. The song was a minor hit in Detroit.

Most intriguingly, author Reeve discovered in the Library of Congress that Knight's song was published by Maclen Music, the Beatles' own company.

He never found out why. Reeve tracked the reclusive Knight to Arizona and hammered him with letters and phone calls, but Knight wouldn't talk.

Meanwhile, although he is proudest of his work as a teacher, Russ Gibb's phone continues to ring with people wanting to know, "Is Paul dead?"

All these years later -- why?

"I think there's a universal intelligence, a connection to everything," says Gibb, sounding once again like his 1969, underground DJ self. "Certain things trigger molecular structures to change. I think there's a reason, but I don't know what the reason is."

Clues to McCartney's 'death'

There are innumerable "clues" amassed by fans over the years that they felt (and some zealots still insist) point to an alleged McCartney death and substitution by an alternate Paul. Here are just a few:

· The cover of the Beatles album Abbey Road supposedly shows Paul's funeral, with John Lennon dressed all in white portraying God, Ringo Starr dressed in black as the undertaker, a barefoot Paul McCartney is of course the deceased, and a blue-jeaned George Harrison is the gravedigger.

· Backwards tracking. There are several instances of messages supposedly embedded in Beatles records, but you have to have a turntable and a vinyl record to hear them. The most famous one is in "Revolution No. 9," when John Lennon repeatedly says "number 9...number 9...number 9..." Played backwards under the right conditions, it sounds like he's saying "Turn me on, dead man." · Lyrics: "He blew his mind out in a car," from "A Day in the Life," on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

· The cover of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is rife with "clues," since it's the Beatles assembled at a funeral.

· To hear some of Russ Gibb's 1969 broadcasts on WKNR-FM, including his talks about the "Paul is dead" clues with student Tom Zarski, go to www.keener13.com
February 2, 2005 -- PRNewswire

Super Bowl Bettors Put Money on McCartney

While everyone places the usual Super Bowl bets on who will win in the New England versus Philadelphia match- up on February 6, Sports Interaction takes this tradition one step further. You can now place bets on the halftime show's entertainment, Paul McCartney.

Fans can now bet on what songs will be included in his set, from "Live and Let Die" to "Say Say Say" or "Helter Skelter." You can bet on what song will open the set, and how many songs he'll play during the halftime show. A $10 bet on "Can't Buy Me Love" as the opening song could return you $150.

In addition, you can also bet on who might appear with the former Beatle on stage. Candidates include Ringo Starr, Justin Timberlake, Dolly Parton, Gwen Stefani, and Janet Jackson. Those craving a more adventurous wager can put money on whether Paul will suffer a wardrobe malfunction during the show, although perhaps to the relief of the NFL, the odds are a very long 100 to 1.

Sports Interaction (www.sportsinteraction.com) was founded in 1997, and continues to be the largest online sportsbook licensed and regulated in North America. With over 300,000 members, its goal is to provide fun, interactive online betting in a secure and strictly regulated environment.

February 2, 2005 -- PRNewswire

A&E Home Video Announces Acquisition of Paul Mccartney's Emmy-Award(R) Winning Landmark Concert Film PAUL MCCARTNEY IN RED SQUARE

Paul McCartney and A&E Television Networks VP of Video Sales and Marketing, Kate Winn, today announced an arrangement that will bring home audiences the landmark DVD releases "PAUL McCARTNEY IN RED SQUARE." Due out this spring, the historic Emmy Award winning live concert, which premiered on the A&E Network, will be combined with NEW never-before-seen concert footage "Live In St. Petersburg" and rare behind the scenes footage, for a DVD that A&E and McCartney are calling fully loaded.

"We are thrilled to be releasing "PAUL McCARTNEY IN RED SQUARE" on DVD," said Winn. "This program not only features an absolutely electric concert, it's also an emotional document of a truly historic time in Russia and the hope that Paul McCartney and the Beatles brought to the people who lived under the communist regime in the Soviet Union."

McCartney, who began preparations this week for his much-publicized SuperBowl XXXIX Ameriquest Halftime performance, received five 2004 Emmy Award nominations for "PAUL MCCARTNEY IN RED SQUARE." The DVD, sure to become an essential part of any music lover's home entertainment collection, is scheduled for release this Spring.

As a member of The Beatles, McCartney helped to launch the British Invasion and bring rock and roll onto the global stage, changing the world with a pulsing new sound, and a way of life not even the Iron Curtain could keep out. On May 24, 2003, the rock icon ended decades of anticipation with his first-ever concert in Russia.

Join a crowd of over 100,000, as "PAUL McCARTNEY IN RED SQUARE" captures the historic sights and sounds of this nearly two-hour show. Behind-the-scenes footage of the star's whirlwind visit to Russia, including a private meeting with President Vladimir Putin, and interviews with important members of Russia's cultural community reveal the importance the Beatles and McCartney played in the development of Russia's future. Join Mikhail Gorbachev and Putin in this rock and roll milestone as McCartney performs rousing renditions of "Can't Buy Me Love," "Band on the Run," "Saw Her Standing There," "Live and Let Die," "Hey Jude," "Let It Be," "Yesterday," and many more, including "Back in the USSR."

Home Video products may be purchased at ShopAETV.com.

February 2, 2005 -- Contact Music

McCARTNEY GOT FROG IN HIS THROAT

Sir Paul McCartney learned to croak like a frog during The Beatles first American tour, and later used the vocal talent on hit " We All Stand Together."

American musician Bobby Goldsboro, who played in Roy Orbison's backing band, toured with the Fab Four in 1963 and amused himself by tricking them into thinking there was an amphibian on the tour bus.

Goldsboro says, "I do an incredibly accurate impression of a frog croaking. For the first few days they thought there really was a frog on the bus. Paul McCartney learned to do it pretty well."

When asked if it was the inspiration for McCartney's vocals alongside Rupert Bear on the 1984 hit, Goldsboro replies, "That's exactly right."

February 2, 2005 -- Business Wire

The 47th Annual Grammy Awards will feature "Across the Universe" to benefit tsunami victims

The telecast will feature a special fund-raising musical performance of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "Across The Universe" on behalf of continued tsunami relief efforts.

Special fund-raising musical segment participants will be donating their time and talents during the performance. Artists participating include Bono, Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Velvet Revolver, Tim McGraw, and Brian Wilson. Additional names to be announced upon confirmation.

Viewers will be able to go directly to the iTunes Music Store to gain access to a download of the live performance of "Across The Universe" for 99¢, and to CBS.com, which will offer exclusive video of the segment. All proceeds from downloads of the track will go to tsunami relief efforts benefiting survivors and their families.

Paul McCartney is nominated for a Grammy along with Eric Clapton for "Something" (Concert For George) in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals."

The 47th Grammy Awards will be aired live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, February 13 at 8pm - 11:30pm ET on CBS.
February 1, 2005 -- Billboard Radio Monitor

McCartney To Reveal Tour At Big Game

Sir Paul McCartney will take advantage of the media focus surrounding his halftime performance Feb. 6 at Super Bowl XXXIX to announce his upcoming tour of North America, sources say. Billboard.biz has learned that McCartney will play 38 North American cities beginning Sept. 16 in Miami and running until the end of November.

The concerts will be promoted in a fairly even split between AEG Live/Concerts West and Clear Channel Entertainment, in association with longtime McCartney touring associate Barrie Marshall's Marshall Arts Ltd.

Tickets for the tour are expected to go on sale the last week in February. McCartney last toured the U.S. in 2002 as part of a global outing that grossed more than $126 million and drew nearly 1 million fans.
February 1, 2005 -- Digitaldreamdoor.com

Paul McCartney is listed five times in the 200 Greatest "Rock" Vocal Performances from digitaldreamdoor.com. He scored the highest of all the Beatles for "Oh Darling" at #29.

These are songs where the vocalist gets to show their full talent. Their best vocal performances.

You can vote for the best vocal performance by your favorite artist here.

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_vocal-perf.html

Votes are updated frequently and performers are added or subtracted from the list.

29. Oh Darling - Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
46. Golden Slumbers - Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
114. Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
130. Let It Be - Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
133. Yesterday - Paul McCartney (The Beatles)

News continues on the Macca Report March 2005

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