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October 2004
October 31,
2004 -- NY Post
Stella Gets A Yoko Go
Yoko Ono may hate Paul McCartney - but she holds no grudges against his
daughter, Stella. During an interview with Pat O'Brien for "The
Insider," O'Brien noticed Ono was wearing Stella McCartney sunglasses.
Ono replied: "Ah yes, I love her because I know her from
before she was born so to speak, and she was a good friend of
Sean's, and to me the kids are nice. Stella,
I just bless and get some stuff from her place. She is doing
a great job."
Note: Yoko will be on the "Insider" Monday November
1. Check local listings for times.
October 31, 2004 -- The Independent
It cost 90p to make. But the first Lennon/McCartney disc is now worth £100,000 ($183,190)
For the equivalent of just 90 pence ($1.65), five hopeful teenagers gathered in a makeshift studio behind an electrical shop in a Liverpool terrace to make their first recording. Half a century later it is the UK's costliest record of all time.
The fragile first pressing of The Quarry Men's version of "That'll Be the Day" is estimated to be worth around £100,000, but in reality it is priceless. Its owner, Sir Paul McCartney, is never likely to sell it.
The high value of the disc is due to the fact the quintet featured three musicians who would go on to become Beatles and on its B-side it contains the only known song written by McCartney and guitarist George Harrison, "In Spite of All the Danger".
The 1958 10-inch acetate disc tops a list of the UK's 100 most valuable records compiled by the magazine Record Collector to mark its 25th anniversary, which confirms the Fab Four - in their many guises - as the most collectable name in rock and pop.
But the list is a sobering read for those who think they are sitting on a fortune with a box of collectable vinyl in the attic. Only the rarest of rare grooves will tide collectors over when they go from hip to the age of hip replacement.
Only 80 titles are thought worthy of a four-figure price tag, mainly in limited edition print runs on coloured vinyl and many of them which were never given an official release. They include "Midsummer Night's Scene", a single which was pressed but whose release was cancelled, by John's Children, the band which once featured Marc Bolan.
The seven-inch single was pressed in 1967, but the release was mysteriously cancelled and it is now worth £3,000 ($5,495.70).
The Quarry Men recording was made straight on to the disc rather than via tape because the hard-up group - McCartney, Harrison, John Lennon, drummer Colin Hanton and pianist John Duff Lowe - wanted to do it on the cheap. The one-shot approach meant that Lennon's fluffed cues were preserved for ever.
The musicians took it in turn to wow their friends and family with the disc and it was even aired on the public address system at the Littlewoods factory in Crosby before Duff Lowe put it in a drawer for nearly two decades. He hoped to sell it at auction in 1981, but McCartney's lawyers apporached him and arranged a private sale for an undisclosed sum. The new owner set about using expensive equipment and the engineers at Abbey Road studios to make it more listenable, enhancing the sound quality that had suffered when played in the late 50s on inferior turntables. He then had the tracks pressed into around 50 singles - 45rpm and 78rpm - which he gave as gifts to family and friends. These discs take second place in the top 100, each worth around £10,000 ($183,190).
Record Collector's rare record price guide editor Jack Kane said: "The main factor in the price is not, as you might think, scarcity; it is actually desirability. There are all sorts of limited pressings but it doesn't mean people want to buy them.
"We base the prices on information from dealers, collectors and experts who have their ears to the ground, but eBay has confused things. You can sell exactly the same thing a few days apart and there can be a variation of price of up to 500 per cent. Some items can go for hundreds more than they probably should."
To achieve the best prices, he added, they must be in mint condition, which generally means they should never have been played.
Third place goes to another Beatles item, the band's eponymous 1968 release better known as The White Album, which was initially issued with numbered sleeves. Copies numbered below 10 are valued at £10,000, and those between 11 and 1,000 are estimated at £1,000 ($1,831.90)
Two singles which made it to the upper reaches of the charts complete the top five. "God Save the Queen" by the Sex Pistols, the punk anthem of 1977, is worth at least £5,000 ($9,159.50) if on the A&M label - the band were dumped by the company after a backlash by shareholders and only 300 copies survived. The hit version was released by Virgin and is worth only a fraction of that.
Although Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of the biggest-selling singles of all time - twice claiming the Christmas number one spot - it makes it to fifth place. A limited run of blue vinyl copies for export are worth up to £5,000 each.
THE TOP 10 COLLECTABLES
Two versions of the Quarry Men's "That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger" top the list, separated by a notional £90,000 ($164,871). That's the difference that separates the original disc Sir Paul McCartney acquired - and is never likely to sell - and the copies he made for friends. The White Album fetches the same £10,000 as McCartney's gift copies.
The Sex Pistols come just £500 ahead of the £5,000 A&M label version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". In sixth place is Ron Hargrave's "Latch On", in front of "Midsummer Night's Scene" whose release by John's Children was cancelled. All at £3,000 are Two Virgins by John Lennon and Yoko Ono; "The Crows" by Gee; "Space Oddity" and three Beatles' titles - Abbey Road, "Please Please Me" and "Love Me Do".
October 31, 2004
Click here to see a Reuters news video of Paul and Heather at the land mine benefit.
October 29, 2004 -- Shore Fire
PAUL McCARTNEY TO LOS LONELY BOYS:
"I KNOW ANOTHER RINGO!"This past weekend, October 23 and 24, Los Lonely Boys played Neil Young's 16th Annual Bridge School benefit concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA. One of the group's long-time idols, Paul McCartney, was also on the bill. When Sir Paul was first introduced to LLBs drummer Ringo Garza he commented with a laugh, "I know another Ringo."
Grabbing Ringo's hands, McCartney asked if, like his former bandmate, the Lonely Boy got his nickname from a penchant for wearing rings. Ringo replied, "No, that's my real name!" The following day, LLBs paid McCartney a visit in his dressing room, and demo'd a new song they recently wrote, called "My Loneliness," which features a Beatles-influenced melody. Paul harmonized with The Boys and commented, "You remind me of the Everly Brothers [another major LLBs influence]. John and I very much looked up to the Everly Brothers ourselves."
Paul and LLBs went on to talk about songwriting and Mexican food. Later that night Los Lonely Boys performed at the Fillmore in San Francisco ending their sold out three night stand at the legendary venue.
October 29, 2004 -- Review Journal
Paul McCartney, pick up the phone!
Having fulfilled one dream project by finishing the legendary "Smile" album this year, Brian Wilson says his wish list now includes an album with Paul McCartney, his friendly rival from the days the Beach Boys and Beatles jockeyed for chart position.
"I would like to do a rock 'n' roll album with Paul McCartney and me and my band," says the 62-year-old pop legend, who plays Boulder Station on Saturday. "We've been trying to get in touch with him but he won't call me back. I keep waiting for him to call back, and he never calls back."
The two did collaborate on a song called "A Friend Like You" on Wilson's previous album, "Gettin' In Over My Head." Moreover, Wilson confirms that on the original "Smile" sessions, McCartney dropped by the studio long enough to "munch on a piece of celery" in the recording of the song now called "Vega-Tables."
"We just did that for a joke," he says.
Wilson and a 19-piece band will perform the Beach Boys album that achieved cult status in the years since it was shelved in 1967, with much of it refashioned and released as "Smiley Smile." The best-known songs, "Heroes and Villains" and "Good Vibrations," bookend the new, reconstructed album.
As the young genius who drove the Beach Boys -- "Gershwin and Bach are both very big inspirations," he says -- Wilson seemed to be in a neck-and-neck race with the Beatles to break down the limitations of '60s pop, embracing the twin freedoms of the long-playing album and the psychedelic movement.
While the Beatles triumphed with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," the 24-year-old Wilson suffered a breakdown while recording "Smile."
The rest became one of rock's most luridly awful sagas: Wilson's dropping out of society, battling mental illness and later the controversial therapist who treated him.
But he started performing again in 1999 and now says, "I'm getting back into the swing of things, you know? I love performing onstage and I like playing with my band, and I'm having a good time."
On the phone at least, the once-reclusive performer still isn't prone to expand at length on questions. He speaks in short, declarative sentences. "You will love the sound of it. You will love it. Love the sound of it!" he says, talking about the large band, including strings and horns, that bring "Smile" to life.
But Wilson gives a hearty laugh when asked if he'd heard any of the bootlegs that have attempted to reconstruct the album over the years. "No, I never heard about that stuff. You're kidding me!"
For a work that in large part consists of trippy song fragments careening from one to the other, the biggest irony of "Smile" is that it was revived onstage.
"We took it to London, England, and we got a standing ovation six nights in a row, which turned us on to want to record it. We took a whole month to record it," Wilson says. "It got us well in touch with it. It got us to practice a lot, got it down to where we couldn't forget one note of it."
"It was my wife's idea," he says of spouse Melinda, who has helped guide his career revival. "She and my manager and my publicity agent all said, 'Brian, we think the world is ready for "Smile." ' And the rest is history."
Wilson had been touring with keyboardist Darian Sahanaja and other members of the Wondermints. Sahanaja organized all the existing fragments of the original recordings to help Wilson reconstruct them. The ensemble spent a month at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, the same studio where the original recordings were done.
Wilson got back in touch with original lyricist Van Dyke Parks, "and he came over and helped me write some songs for the third movement. Now we have a whole rock opera."
In interviews with the Review-Journal in 1999 and 2001, Wilson complained of being stymied by writer's block.
"That's over with now," he says. "I made up my mind to write some songs. Apparently I did because I've written 30 songs in the past month. 30 songs! Can you believe that? And you know what, not one of those songs would I throw away. I would not throw away one song. That's how cool they are."
So if McCartney would just call back. Or if Phil Spector weren't at the center of a murder trial. "I don't know if (Spector) can get out of jail," Wilson says, but "to work with him in the studio (would be) almost like a dream come true to me."
October 27, 2004 -- Reports from the Bridge School Concert - Sunday PHOTOS
Paul arrived earlier than the day before. He drove up in a limo with Heather, Bea, Missy the body guard and Heather's assistant. Paul kissed Heather when she got out of the limo and he carried Bea to the dressing room. Paul hung out backstage with Sonic Youth and talked to the Bridge School children and native Americans that were backstage. Heather was walking around with Bea who was all smiles for the Bridge School kids. Paul supposedly jammed backstage with the Los Lonely Boys in their dressing room while waiting for his set.
Both Paul and Heather were seen during the night taking turns bouncing baby Bea on their laps off stage during the other acts.
Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and a huge McCartney fan, said during the band's set, "I cried three times during Paul McCartney's set last night!"
The set list was the same as the previous show. Paul once again performed "The Very Thought of You" with Tony Bennett prior to his set. Tony introduced Paul both nights saying "Paul is one of the nicest people I ever met and the best musician in the world." Macca gave him a hug when he came onstage. Paul said, "This is for my wife Heather and this is our song." Paul and Tony sang the song and Paul put his head on Tony's shoulder which got a huge roar from the audience. The two sang with their arms around each other and at the end of the song they danced with each other. Paul shouted, "Hey! Tony is leading!" Paul said, that Tony recorded the song as gift for him and Heather for their wedding. And said that "The Very Thought of You" was his and Heather's song. He added, "This is forever," referring to the marriage. Before he left the stage he shouted "I GOT TO SING WITH TONY BENNETT!" During the song you could see Heather bouncing baby Bea on her lap off stage.
During Paul's set some fans held up signs together that read: "Remember Us?" and "Liverpool 2003" Paul acknowledged them by waving.
Heather was in front row wearing a white outfit and a red cowboyhat. She let lose jumping and dancing during "Get Back" and "Lady Madonna."
For the intro to "Let It Be" Paul said, "Like I said last night, LET IT BE KERRY!" The audience roared their approval.
At the "Hey Jude" encore all the bands and the Bridge School teachers and children came onstage to participate in the song. During the chorus of "Hey Jude" a frisky Paul jumped over one of the stage monitors to get back to his piano and almost fell but he caught himself and slid onto the piano bench.
The Bridge School kids held up a sign that read "Happy Birthday Mr. Jude." At the end of the song, Paul hung out and signed autographs for the kids onstage and signed Mr. Jude's birthday sign.
Setlist (in order)
Drive My Car
Till There Was You
In Spite of All the Danger
Blackbird
Here Today
Follow me
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Paul and Neil Young)
Michelle
Yesterday
Get back
Let it Be (Paul said, "Like I said last night. This year, LET IT BE KERRY!")
Lady Madonna
Baby Face (fake out)
Hey Jude (all acts on stage)
October 26, 2004 -- Portland Tribune
Fab fortune
Despite the scores of notables noses she's contoured, Portland makeup artist Teresa Maxie holds special regard for Paul and Linda McCartney, her first celebrity clients.
"They were in Seattle for a concert," she says. "Linda checked all my products to make sure they weren't tested on animals, and their daughter Stella - who's now a famous designer - rode around on a golf cart; she was just a kid then.
Paul had a little problem with sweaty eyelids, so I told him I'd need to powder them. His entourage didn't like that, but he was fine with it. A very decent guy."
The one-time gig, she says, gave her career an ongoing boost. "Once you've done a Beatle's makeup, you can raise your rate."
October 26, 2004 -- Mercury News
Speaking of style, Paul McCartney popped into the Hotel De Anza's Hedley Club (San Jose) lounge before his Bridge School benefit performance during the weekend and charmed everyone.
"What a friendly and down-to-earth guy,'' marvels server Kate Hidalgo. "I mean, he is a Beatle.'' And a new daddy, which can mellow a guy.
October 26, 2004
Macca Sighting
in LA
Paul was spotted at a Starbucks
on Sunset opening the door for one lucky customer.
October 24,
2004 -- Contra Costa Times PHOTOS from Oct. 23
Concert review: Legends meet at the Bridge: Bennett, McCartney bring benefit to new level
Following the frenetic Red Hot Chili Peppers in his customary dark blue suit and tie, Tony Bennett was surreal enough just playing the Bridge School Benefit on Saturday. He took things to another level in calling a friend out for a duet, and suddenly, two artists with a combined 100 years of musical history were standing there, smiling at each other.
Out strode Paul McCartney on the stage at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View. He seemed as impressed as everyone else. "Whoa -- I'm singing with Tony Bennett."
The pair hugged 20 or 30 times, then traded lines on the old jazz standard "The Very Thought of You." That it was a tad disjointed and that McCartney hit a bad note or two mattered about as much as the weather. Seeing true legends singing a tune Bennett rerecorded for McCartney's first dance at his wedding made hours of rain and chill simply melt away.
Organizer Neil Young did himself proud this year. Not only did he play one of his best sets in recent memory and host a former Beatle and a jazz legend, he managed to get a slew of big-name, excellent live acts: the Chili Peppers, Ben Harper, Sonic Youth, Eddie Vedder and Los Lonely Boys.
Vedder, the singer of Pearl Jam and a constant presence at the annual Bridge show, was a last-minute addition. Because, you know, the bill needed another big name.
After Young's traditional opening mini-set and a quick performance from Tegan & Sarah, Vedder sat down to play Pearl Jam's "Better Man" and intense covers of the Beatles "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," (he previously recorded it for the "I Am Sam" soundtrack) and Bob Dylan's "Masters of War." Though Vedder maintains a low profile for a rock star, his focus and powerful baritone make him one of the most riveting singers around, especially in the acoustic Bridge format.
Considering the weather and late hour, much of the crowd might have left if it weren't McCartney finishing. Coming on just after midnight, the typically cheery ex-Beatle took his band through classics "Drive My Car," " 'Til There Was You," "Blackbird" and his touching John Lennon tribute "Here Today."
Though his voice was a bit
rusty, McCartney was his old self, throwing arms in the air after
nearly every song and hamming it up whenever possible. He brought
out Young for "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," which
was a bit bumpy as McCartney tried keeping up with a tune with
which he wasn't completely familiar. He went back to his strengths,
through "Yesterday," "Get Back," "Let
it Be," "Lady Madonna" and show-closer "Hey
Jude."
Unlike recent years, nearly all the musicians hung around for
the obligatory ending. You could see the excitement, even on
the faces of veterans, in sharing the stage with McCartney, making
it one of the rare all-star jams worth the wait.
October 24, 2004 -- Mercury News
MCCARTNEY CROONS WITH BENNETT, PUTS ON A SOLID SHOW
There were plenty of powerful moments at Saturday night's Bridge School Benefit concert at Shoreline Amphitheatre, enough to fight back heavy rains and a muddy lawn that threatened the night.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney joining with Tony Bennett, a crooner from a previous generation. Neil Young playing with grunge-rocker Eddie Vedder, who's career was inspired by Young's. And a host of stars playing not just to a sold-out audience, but for the special children and their families who shared the stage with them.
Artists donate their time to these massive shows (this year's first of two days stretched from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.) and playing for free brings out both tender moments and musical surprises.
Long anticipated headliner McCartney provided both when he ran onstage during Bennett's set. As if it wasn't surprising enough that Bennett's old-school crooner voice scaled the heights of the outdoor theater's lawn with the power of the loudest electric guitar, and his set was sandwiched between rockers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Young.
A sprightly McCartney, deftly defying his 62 years, joined the ever sharp-looking 78-year-old, arm-in-arm, for the ballad that is a wedding standard, "The Very Thought of You.''
When they finished, the former Beatle raised his thumb in the air and gleefully yelled: "I got to sing with Tony Bennett!'' before running offstage.
The blue-suited lounge singer, carrying on Sinatra's mantle of cool, continued unphased, and was the only performer called back for an encore.
McCartney's 50-minute closing set was a winner. The challenge of playing acoustic made it even better than his last more-polished tour.
He spent a lot of time in the old Beatles catalog, opening with 1966's "Drive My Car,'' fueled by twin lead acoustic guitars, of his more than competent touring band (expect them to perform this summer).
He pulled out songs from the days before the Beatles went really electric, the Meredith Wilson ballad "Till There was You,'' the foursome recorded in 1964, and 1965's "Michelle,'' before which he recalled trying to be cool at parties attended with the older John Lennon, and sitting in a corner with George Harrison and their guitars, pretending to sing in French.
There was a soft "Blackbird'' and "Yesterday'' and newer songs, "Here Today'' and unreleased, "Follow Me.'' Young joined him for a performance of his own 1971 hit, "Only Love Can Break Your Heart,'' during which Sir Paul smiled as he flubbed the same lyric missed in years of campfire singalongs ("try and be sure right from the start'' instead of "what if your world should fall apart.'')
McCartney and band continued
with "Get Back'' and "Let it Be,'' after which he slipped
in some political sentiment, yelling, "Let it be Kerry.''
Finally, the entire troupe returned for "Hey Jude.''
October 24,
2004 -- Early Report
Highlights from the Bridge School Benefit.
Paul and his band were the
closers to the 8-hour long rain soaked concert marathon. They
played from Midnight to 1am. There was a soundcheck in the afternoon
around 3pm.
Setlist (in order)
Drive My Car
Till There Was You
In Spite of All the Danger
Blackbird
Here Today
Follow me
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Paul and Neil Young)
Michelle
Yesterday
Get back
Let it Be (Paul said, "Let it be can mean a lot of things. This
year, LET IT BE KERRY!")
Lady Madonna
Hey Jude (all acts on stage)
Earlier in the evening during Tony Bennett's set, Paul joined
him onstage to sing "The Very Thought of You." Macca
said he was surprising Heather with the song. "This is for
my wife Heather who is in the audience and this is our song." After the song
Paul and Tony danced onstage together. Paul excitedly told the
crowd, "I GOT TO SING WITH TONY BENNETT!"
Paul and Neil Young sang "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
and Paul messed the lyrics see
article.
At the end of the show Paul shook hands with EVERY child
from the Bridge School that was onstage.
October 24,
2004 -- Contact Music
McCARTNEY FAME SCHOOL SLAMMED
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney's stage school has been slammed by the Zutons singer Dave McCabe who labels its students "c**ts" who are only good enough to become "session musicians".
McCartney helped set up the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 1996, which today attracts students from around the world.
But proud Liverpudlian McCabe has different ideas about the success of the school.
He fumes, "It's full of people who are really ambitious and who turn against each other because everyone there wants to be the best.
"Either everyone's a c**t or they're all mad for putting such a front on.
"I think if you ever go to LIPA you can only ever make it as a session musician or a practical musician. It will never be respected as a serious heart-felt place."
October 23, 2004 -- Toronto Sun
McCartney and Tony Bennett to sing "The Very Thought Of You" together ?
Legendary crooner Tony Bennett
will be sharing the stage with Paul McCartney
this weekend in Mountainview, California at Neil Young's 18th
annual Bridge Benefit, Oct. 23-24.
"I knew (McCartney) when he first started," Bennett,
78, told the Sun while he was in Toronto last week for two shows
at Roy Thomson Hall. "I gave The Beatles
and The Rolling Stones their first award before they were famous,
they were just starting out, before they went into stadiums.
And so I knew him and I always really admired him. 'Cause I looked
at the four boys when I first saw them and the aura came out
of Paul McCartney that my eyes saw. I said, 'This guy's got it.'
I always felt that way."
Fast forward to Bennett and McCartney being part of a command
performance for the Queen, which was before McCartney's marriage
to Heather
Mills.
He told Bennett that "The Very Thought Of You," a Ray
Noble song, was his favorite. "So then my son was talking
to him and he said, 'When I get married, if Tony could a make
a record of The Very Thought Of You ...'
"And he danced with his wife to that record right after
he got married. But then, as a result, he saw my paintings in
an art book and wrote me a beautiful letter about how much he
appreciated my paintings. And now I believe we're going to do
"The Very Thought Of You" together for this benefit.
That'll be fun. He's wonderful."
October 23, 2004 -- Contact Music
YOUNG AND MILLS BLAST BUSH
Neil Young and Sir Paul McCartney's wife Heather Mills used a charity event in Los Angeles last week to attack US President George W. Bush.
The trio were all present at an Adopt-A-Minefield benefit event organized by Mills, and took the opportunity to back John Kerry's campaign to oust Bush from the White House at next month's presidential elections.
Mills said, "Governments like George Bush's are the problem. He's pulled out of every decent treaty to rid the world of landmines that's been presented to him."
Kerry supporter and California-dwelling Canadian Young added, "I only hope that Americans do the right thing and get this guy out."
October 22, 2004 -- CelebrityCafe.com
Paul McCartney sighting undated
How many people
get to meet a low-profile celeb like Paul McCartney?
On a vacation to the Grand Canyon, my mother and I were shopping
in a little shop on the floor level of a luxury lodge. She asked
if I would know a celebrity if I saw one and I said yes and she
pointed and asked if the guy in the corner was Paul McCartney. I assured her that he was and he noticed that
we noticed him so he walked over and talked to us and shook our
hands. Heather
Mills was also with him.
He was very friendly and just as gorgeous in person, and we noticed
that he smelled really good. Many people meet the same celebrities.
But how many people get to meet a celebrity like Paul McCartney
who tries to keep such a low-profile?
October 21, 2004
Liverpool Oratorio DVD to be released with never released song sung by Paul!
Paul McCartney's
Liverpool Oratorio
was released on video several years ago and will be released November 16 for the first time as a double DVD with
5.1 surround sound.
The Oratorio is coupled with "Ghosts of the Past" which
was broadcast by the BBC shortly after the release of the Liverpool
Oratorio and shows 'the making of' the work. The DVD also includes
a unique program entitled 'Echoes' where Paul revisits his old
school, which is now LIPA Liverpool Institute of the Performing
Arts. The important feature on this DVD is that it includes Paul
singing a song called 'In Liverpool' which has never before been
released in any other way.
Click to preorder $34.18 - the double DVD
on Amazon.com (Canada and US only)
Click to preorder £14.99 - if you live
in the UK (PAL region 0) release date November 1
October 21,
2004 -- AAM
Paul McCartney t-shirts raise funds to clear landmines
T-shirts are still available from Paul's European "04 Summer Tour". They feature Paul's artwork along with the "No More Landmines" message.
These are the perfect stocking fillers for all Paul McCartney fans. Not only do you become a walking gallery, but you raise awareness about landmines at the same time.
Visit our shop for more details
- click this link www.landmines.org.uk/product_catalogue.asp
October 21, 2004 -- A MACCA REPORT EXCLUSIVE FROM BRIAN RAY!!!
Hello my
Friends,
I'm hanging out here on a rainy morning in L.A. and I wanted to take a moment to say hello and tell you all a bit of news.
As some of you know, I have been writing songs my whole life, ever since I started playing guitar. After writing for Etta James, Smokey Robinson, The Bangles and others, I've really enjoyed just being a guitar player again, playing with Paul. As we have learned more about our upcoming schedule, I saw a large window of time opening up. I thought.. what do I want to do with it? Maybe build a house? Take up sky diving? Climb Mt. Everest? Naa, too much work.
I had not planned on writing, but because of new inspiration and your various questions in interviews, I've done just that.
I am currently working on a new group of songs and recordings which I plan to release in the early part of the new year. It will be an EP, with six songs on it. I'll have it available on my website, then elsewhere as soon as it's finished. I've done four tracks so far and am really thrilled with how it's coming together. Will you be there to listen?
I have all of you to thank for the inspiration! It wasn't really in my plan... so, I thank each of you.
Oh, about our tour news...
Plans change all the time as you know.. But I can tell you that we are not touring this spring, and the rumours about other big events are just that.
Much love,
Brian
www.brian-ray.com
October 20, 2004
Paul, Heather and Bea were
snapped by a photographer while picnicking in a Los Angeles park.
Photo1 Photo 2
October 20,
2004
Paul and Heather attended
the closing night film gala of the Hollywood Film Festival at
the Arc Light theatre in Hollywood, California on Sunday, October
17. Photos
October 19, 2004 -- The Oregonian
MOTHERING INSTINCT
Hanging out with rock stars was never part of the plan. But there was Lynn Bradach on Friday in Los Angeles, hip deep in Hollywood, getting schmoozed by Paul McCartney.
"I felt a bit like Cinderella," she said Sunday morning, back in her Northeast Portland home.
Except this is no fairy tale. And there's no happy ending.
Bradach's son, Travis, a Marine, died last year in Iraq. He was helping clear land mines. His mom's response has been to work -- passionately, eloquently, tirelessly -- for Adopt-A-Minefield.
That's the organization, inspired by Princess Diana, now championed by Paul and Heather McCartney, that raises money to clear unexploded ordnance left by wars throughout the world.
Lynn's work has been so remarkable that she was honored Friday at the organization's star-studded L.A. gala that raised more than $1 million for the cause. It was Paul McCartney who presented her award and invited her to speak to the crowd of 1,500.
"I did fine all day Friday," she said, "until I got to the hotel and so many famous people started telling me: 'Don't be nervous.' "
Like that fellow in the VIP room, the one she didn't recognize. "I knew he must be rich or he wouldn't have been there. But he sure was scruffy."
It was Neil Young.
Still, it wasn't until Orlando Bloom showed up that her knees actually buckled. "Imagine," she said, "a woman my age." She recovered nicely by chatting with Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Then Bradach calmly went out and earned herself a standing ovation.
But there was no time to bask in the limelight. Early Sunday in Portland, Bradach was back with her pals, out running in the rain. On Oct. 31, with Team Minesweepers, friends and family, she'll run in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. They are running to honor Travis and to raise money for the cause. Anyone can help, Bradach said, by sending a donation to: Adopt-A-Minefield c/o Bradach Law Offices 700 N.E. Multnomah St. Suite 900 Portland, OR 97232.
Then she turned to her kitchen, where a crew from the BBC was waiting. "My life is bizarre right now," she said. "I really do feel like Cinderella." Then tears clouded her eyes. "But I wish I could have my old life back."
Her old life and her young
son.
October 19,
2004 -- Contact Music
McCARTNEY REJECTED FROM FLOYD CLASSIC
Former Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney was dropped from PIink Floyd's rock classic "Dark Side of the Moon" album - for being "too reserved".
The "Can't Buy Me Love" singer auditioned to guest star on the 1973 seminal work, but was rejected after failing to be more adventurous in a questionnaire about "mortality".
Drummer Nick Mason says, "We recorded "Dark Side Of The Moon" at Abbey Road. Paul and Wings were working on their "Red Rose Speedway" album.
"Our bassist Roger Waters had drafted a series of questions about madness, violence and mortality and I wrote them on a set of cards. One read, 'Where is the dark side of the moon?'
"We invited whoever we could find to record their answers.
"It was very brave of Paul to take up our invitation but he was too reserved. We didn't use any material from their session."
October 18, 2004-- NME
PAUL McCARTNEY ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS!
PAUL McCARTNEY has revealed that his ultimate fantasy festival line-up would feature THE BEATLES, THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE, THE ROLLING STONES and THE SEX PISTOLS, NME.COM can exclusively reveal.
In an exclusive interview with you, the readers of NME.COM, the star said that he would also love to see The Who, Queen, The Grateful Dead and Radiohead all appear on the bill.
Answering your questions, the former Beatle also lifted the lid on this year's triumphant Glastonbury performance and rated it as one of his best gigs.
The star said that he would want ex-bandmate, the late John Lennon, to play on the Pyramid Stage.
However, despite an all-star fantasy festival line-up, when asked who he would like in his dream supergroup, McCartney said that he would choose a "bench full of buskers from the street".
McCartney will release a new
book "Each One Believing: Onstage, Offstage and
Backstage" on November 4 which will give an access-all-areas
account of life on the road during his recent world tour.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1) Glastonbury must have
been special to you but what show or concert if you could go
back in time would you like to do and experience all over again
as if it was the first time? Please will you come and play for
us in Northern Ireland thanks. (Thomas Cardwell, Northern Ireland)
Paul McCartney: "Shea Stadium, New York, with a good sound system."
2) Do you ever worry about taking a number of priceless and iconic instruments, like your Hofner and the Epiphone Texan, with you onstage? (Martin Berka, Finland)
PM: "No, they are just instruments to me. Lovely as they are, they're there to be played."
3) Having experienced Glastonbury
as a performer, as a punter, who would make it on to your fantasy
line-up for Saturday on the Pyramid Stage? Neil Young, Radiohead,
Prince or maybe Oasis? (Joe Norman, UK)
PM: "Living Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
Deceased John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix."
4) If at all, do you think your image has changed in the eyes of the younger generations before and after Glastonbury? And where do you go from there? (Nick Crewdson, UK)
PM: "Maybe many of them hadn't seen me play live before. I got a lot of good feedback from younger people after the gig. We had a ball."
5) Paul, there were a lot of young bands who played at Glastonbury. Many of them have been strongly influenced by your music. How did that make you feel?(Clorinda, US)
PM: "Cool!"
6) Is there anything you would
have done different? (Christine, US)
PM: "It seemed to have worked fine
for me."
7) Sir Paul, has your recent trip to Glastonbury inspired any new songs? (Paul Arvizu, US)
PM: "Maybe a bit because I'm working on a new album now."
8) How did the Glastonbury experience of 2004 compare with the Shea Stadium experience of 1965? (Laurence Guymer, UK)
PM: "The difference was you could hear us!"
9) Does this year's Glastonbury rate as one of you top gigs ever? (Peter McPhillips, UK)
PM: "It does."
10) What eight bands (both here and gone) would make up your ultimate festival line-up? (Gareth Morgan, UK)
PM: "The Beatles, The Who, Rolling Stones, Queen, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Radiohead and Sex Pistols (to name but a few)."
11) Was it difficult to try to choose only a limited number of songs from such a massive collection to perform at Glastonbury? (Jordan, UK)
PM: "Yes."
12) Hi Paul! Do you get a kick out of new youngsters digging your classic tunes & discovering your newer music as at Glastonbury does a good tune last forever? (Bill and Cher, US)
PM: "Yes it's a great tribute and a buzz."
13) Thanks for taking questions from the board. I like the new song 'Follow Me'. What was your inspiration? (Tori, US)
PM: "Love love love."
14) Was it possible to rock in wellies?( Jordan, UK)
PM: "Definitely dryer."
15) Were you more nervous before entering the stage in Glasto than usual? As you knew the audience were not just Macca maniacs? Do you think it's been much more difficult to satisfy those crowds? (Trenz, Germany)
PM: "No, there was not enough time to be nervous as we got there late."
16) How long did it take you to prepare for this concert? (Michael, US)
PM: "All my life."
17) Is playing festivals as good as playing your own shows at venues? (Ingrid Perez, US)
PM: "It's different, a different kind of excitement."
18) If you where playing Glastonbury
again and you had to form a supergroup to play alongside you
and you had to choose from today's artists, who would you include?
(Stephen, Ireland)
PM: "I'd choose a bench full of buskers
from the street."
19) Was the ambience of the Glastonbury festival and its crowd in any way reminiscent of your Wings era? (Stephen Jerkins, US)
PM: "Not really, we didn't really do
many festivals."
October 17, 2004 -- UK News
Stars turn out for mines charity
Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills McCartney have held a star-studded gala in Los Angeles to raise awareness and money for the global landmine crisis.
Before the event, Heather explained the achievements of the campaign in the year since the last benefit gala.
"A few more million and a few more million square metres of land cleared and about another 67,000 people fitted up with limbs and benefited round the world. So quite a bit," she said.
Pamela Anderson was one of the celebrities attending the event.
Pamela is usually out campaigning for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), but she said the issue of landmines was also important to her.
"Well I think it's terrible. It's needless harm to people and animals and I think this is really important, it's a really important cause," she said.
Speaking at the event, Paul said it was the individual stories of survival and rehabilitation that mean the most to him.
"We helped a young man who'd been blinded and had lost his limbs and he's now walking again he's going to school. We managed to give him a computer so he's putting his life back together.
"So ... that's important too, as well as the huge picture, but you know, onward and upward. We're going to see the last landmine lifted one of these days; with your help."
The Adopt-A-Minefield campaign works with individuals, community groups and businesses.
October 16, 2004 -- A MACCA REPORT EXCLUSIVE!!!!!
Details from the Los Angeles--Adopt-a-Minefield benefit (Held October 15 at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles)
Paul arrived around 2:25pm driving a blue corvette
with a tan top at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles for
the Adopt-a-Minefield soundcheck. Paul waved to the fans on his
way in. Brian
Ray arrived escorted by Missy
the body guard.
The soundcheck started at 2:45pm. Songs heard at the soundcheck:
"Drive My Car (rough
version)," impromptu jam, "Drive My Car" (traditional
version) "Silver Bells," unidentified country and western
song, "Blackbird," "Here Today," "Follow
Me," "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," (Neil Young
with Paul) "Michelle," "Yesterday," "Get
Back," "Let It Be," "Lady Madonna,"
"Hey Jude" (Paul did "Now the men" and "Now
the women...")
FAN CLOSE
ENCOUNTER:
VIP Reception:
A fan (congrats to Bev Taylor) asked Paul for a hug when he walked
in. He said, "SURE!" and he gave her one! The reception
was held before the dinner and people who donated thousands of
dollars were invited.
Dinner started at 7:45pm
The president of the U.N talked
8:20 Jay Leno talked (he made jokes about how people are getting
fatter and the T.V.'s are getting thinner and other overweight
type jokes
8:30 Landmine film was shown emphasizing how 70 million lives
are affected and how 18 million square meters has been cleared
so far.
8:48-8:55 Heather talked--said she hopes we elect the right president
and how $25-$30 will make a child walk again
She wore a red strapless Valentino gown size 4-6 that cost her
$2,500
9:15 Chairperson of AAM spoke
9:45 Jay Leno spoke again
9:48 Heather and Paul introduced recipients of the awards
Paul introduced sister-in-law Jodie Eastman (married to Linda's
brother John Eastman)
Heather introduced Wendy Whitworth of CNN (Paul played her birthday
party for a million dollars a few years ago)
10:02 Paul introduced Lynn Bradach who lost her son
10:10 Heather introduced Stuart Hughes who lost a leg stepping
on a landmine (he took his leg off!)
10:15 Jay introduced Neil Young
Neil sang 7 songs:
1. Pocahontas
2. Harvest Moon
3. Heart Of Gold
4. On The Way Home
5. Human Highway *
6. Old King *
7. Four Strong Winds
* backing vocals Pegi Young his daughter.
AUCTION:
Neil's harmonica went for $6,000
A guitar pick went for $2,000
Paul's dinner plate with some ravioli still on it went for $5,000.
Paul autographed it to "Ron and Nancy" (who bought
it) and Leno made a joke about the Reagans.
A $20 bill signed by Paul went for $9,000 (Paul signed it like
this---"You S.O.B. Paul McCartney")
Apparently they initially wanted him to sign a 5 dollar bill,
then it ended up being a 20 dollar bill.
11:04 A painting of Paul by a 13-year-old went for $11,000
11:08 Paul's print without an autograph went for $10,000
11:10 Heather had a donated pin from a jeweler that went for
$13,000
11:13 Heather's dress went for $10,000 (someone shouted "Does
she come with it?")
Heather wanted to auction Jay Leno's underwear--it went for $2,000!!!
(someone asked, "clean or dirty"? which embarrassed
Jay)
11:20 A Colorado vacation for 6 days and 5 nights in Beaver Creek
went for $4,500
11:21-11:26 GUITAR AUCTION (Paul's acoustic- A Signature 1964
Epiphone Texan), serial No. 001 : started at $50,000--no one
bid--someone said $50,000--it was bought by the Guitar Center.
PAUL'S SET
LIST(11:27pm)
01. Drive My Car
02. Till There Was You (afterwards Paul takes off his jacket)
03. In Spite Of All Danger
04. Blackbird (gives kisses towards the audience a couple of
times)
05. Here Today (in the song when he sings "I Love You",
he repeats this 4 times)
06. Follow Me (Paul says this is the first time he performed
the song in the US!)
07. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Neil Young with Paul)
08. Michelle (Paul by mistake started to sing during Rusty's
instrumental and apologized to the band who continued to play,
making the instrumental longer.)
09. Yesterday (Paul says this is the original guitar from Ed
Sullivan show. He said that Ed said, "Aren't you nervous?"
Paul said, "No." Ed said, "Are you sure? You are
playing in front of millions of people!" Paul DID get nervous
after that comment!!!)
10. Get Back (Paul on Hofner)
11. Let It Be
12. Lady Madonna
Pauls says,"one more song" then does one chorus of
"Baby Face" then stops and says "no, that's not
it", and goes into...
13. Hey Jude (with Neil Young who did not any verses)
At the end, Heather thanked everyone. Paul was standing behind
her with his arms around her. He was "swaying" while
holding her and rested his head next to hers. At the end Paul
picked her up and carried her off.
Spotted in the audience were Marla Maples, Michael Douglas and
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bill Moyer, Loni Anderson, Pamela Anderson,
Stephen Stills and Jack Nicholson.
MORE INFO:
It was held in three large ballrooms with 1,300-1,500 people.
THE MENU:
salad
rolls and butter on the table
4 big ravioli's
julienne veggies with alfredo sauce
Choice of choc. mousse or blueberry tart with whipped cream
wine on tables
Ghirardelli chocolate squares
Table centerpieces were 12 yellow or white daisies in white,
wooden planters.
Special thanks
to Toni Johnson, Masahiro Sendai and Ceil Noworyta for the report!
Click for more photos!
October 16,
2004 -- Reuters
McCartney, Young sing together at L.A. fundraiser
Admitting to being intimidated in the presence of a former Beatle, Neil Young joined forces with Paul McCartney Thursday to perform at a $500-per-seat fundraiser to raise awareness of landmines.
Surrounded by a half-dozen guitars and a banjo, Young played an acoustic set featuring such nuggets as "Pocahontas," "Heart of Gold," "Harvest Moon" and "Four Strong Winds" with occasional help from wife Pegi on backing vocals.
McCartney, with a full band, followed with a diverse set of Beatles classics such as "Drive My Car," "Blackbird," "Michelle" and "Get Back," as well as more obscure material like the pre-Beatles tune "In Spite of All the Danger" and the John Lennon tribute "Here Today."
Young joined him twice on stage at the Century Plaza Hotel, first for a duet on the former's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and later to play along as McCartney closed the evening after midnight with "Hey Jude."
"We have a bit of fun but, as you can see, we do a lot of good along the way," McCartney told the crowd. "That's one of the magic things ... When you've worked hard and you've had a lot of luck, you get to a position, where Neil and I are at, you can do a little bit more. It's a magic thing."
The event benefited Adopt-A-Minefield, for which McCartney and his wife Heather Mills are goodwill ambassadors and patrons. The group helps clear minefields in such countries as Vietnam, Croatia and Iraq, and assists survivors of landmine accidents. An auction hosted by Jay Leno raised about $125,000, including $6,000 for one of Young's saliva-laced harmonicas. "You can clone your own Neil Young," Leno said.
A grim Mills, an amputee herself, told the crowd that governments risked turning young victims of bombs and unexploded ordinances into bitter and vengeful people, and that "electing the right president" would help the situation.
Among the diners of the vegetarian fare were Stephen Stills, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Steve Buscemi, Pamela Anderson and Bill Maher.
McCartney and Young will reunite
Oct. 23 and 24 during Young's 18th annual Bridge School benefit
concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.
October 15,
2004 -- Adopt-A-Minefield
HEATHER & PAUL McCARTNEY HONOR BBC JOURNALIST & LANDMINE
SURVIVOR, AT LOS ANGELES GALA DINNER
BBC journalist and landmine survivor, Stuart Hughes, will be
an Honoree at Adopt-A-Minefield's
annual Gala Dinner in Los Angeles on Friday 15 October.
Heather and
Paul McCartney, founding
patrons of Adopt-A-Minefield
(UK), will award Stuart and 3 other anti-landmine campaigners
from around the world with a special trophy, which has been designed
by Paul McCartney.
Stuart Hughes fell victim to a landmine explosion in Iraq on
the 2nd April 2003 when he was working in Iraq. He stepped on
a landmine in Kifri, northern Iraq. "I smelled explosives
and burnt meat, and I knew my life would never be the same again,"
said Stuart. Following his accident Stuart has become a staunch
activist for the landmine cause. He is a patron of MAG (Mines
Advisory Group) one of the largest de-mining charities in the
world, and an implementing partner of Adopt-A-Minefield.
Adopt-A-Minefield raises awareness and funds to clear landmines
and help landmine survivors. 100% of donations are passed on
to mine action partners, such as MAG, working in the field. Adopt-A-Minefield
is a funding umbrella for mine action allowing funds to be channelled
easily from donors to experts in the field and is now the largest
non-governmental funder of mine action in the world.
Now in its fourth year, Adopt-A-Minefield's LA Gala has become
one of the city's hottest annual tickets. Last year's dinner
raised more than $1,000,000 to clear landmines and help landmine
survivors. This year the event, held at the Century Plaza Hotel,
hopes to raise even more.
Stuart Hughes is thrilled to be receiving this award. He said,
"I know all too well just how horrific the impact of landmines
can be. When I was covering the war in Iraq a year ago I stepped
out of my vehicle and triggered an unmarked anti-personnel landmine.
It blew my right heel wide open.
"Thinking we were coming under attack, my cameraman, Kaveh
Golestan, tried to run for safety. In doing so he set off another
two landmines. He was killed instantly.
"This landmine stole my leg and changed my life forever.
But, I'm one of the lucky ones. Thousands of other people suffer
each year in landmine accidents and most do not have access to
the fantastic health care services that helped me recover.
"That's where organizations like Adopt-A-Minefield come
in. Adopt-A-Minefield raises awareness and funds to clear landmines
and help landmine survivors. 100% of funds raised are then passed
to organizations like MAG, the landmine clearance charity of
which I'm a patron, to use in actually clearing landmines.
"I'm proud to support the excellent work undertaken by Adopt-A-Minefield,
MAG and other organizations which are helping to rid the world
of the scourge of landmines.
"We in the West do not live surrounded by the daily threat
of landmines but we do have the chance to help those that live
in fear of catastrophe each day of their lives.
"As a landmine survivor myself I feel I have a duty to draw
attention to this issue and help save lives and I will continue
to do so."
Adopt-A-Minefield is very pleased to be able to make this award
to Stuart, not least because of his personal commitment to the
cause but also because of his patronage of one of our major field
partners.
Keith Kelly, director of Adopt-A-Minefield, said, "Landmines
destroy lives every day of every year. When Stuart was blown
up by a landmine in Iraq he could have become another statistic
- another landmine victim. Instead he became a survivor and a
champion of the anti-landmine cause. His personal enthusiasm
and commitment to campaigning to rid the world of this deadly
weapon is a testament to the resilience of the human soul and
a shining example for us all."
Lou McGrath, executive director of MAG, said, "In Stuart
we have found one of the bravest and most impressive advocates
of MAG's work and the landmine cause. This recognition is terrific
and is very well-earned. Stuart's tireless work has put MAG and
landmine issues on the agenda time and again. Just weeks after
losing his leg, Stuart became a MAG a patron. We were immediately
struck by his steely grit to get over his injury and his terrific
ability to instantly see the wider landmine issues.
"We're also grateful that, in honouring Stuart, Adopt-A-Minefield
honors the part played by MAG in ridding the world of landmines."
****************
Other Honorees:
Lynn Bradach, a native Oregonian, and landmines campaigner.
Wendy Walker Whitworth, CNN executive vice president and the
senior executive producer of Larry King Live.
Josephine
Merrill Eastman, Graduate
of Columbia University is a committed humanitarian who has tirelessly
devoted her energy to addressing the plight of refugees and internally
displaced persons all over the world.
****************
GETTING READERS
INVOLVED IN CLEARING LANDMINES:
2 ways for everyone to get involved in ridding the world of landmines
this Autumn:
Night of
1000 Dinners is on and around November 4th and the 1000 Dinners campaign runs throughout
the year.
People around the world will
invite friends to dinner and cook a meal using recipes donated
by some of UK cooking's hottest stars. Full details, tips for
hosting dinner parties, and fantastic competition details (including
a brand new Rayburn cooker) are available at www.landmines.org.uk
No More Landmines
Day - November 4th.
Adopt-A-Minefield and the National Union of Teachers are working with schools across the UK to raise awareness and funds to clear landmines and help landmine survivors using lesson plans, beautifully illustrated on-line children's stories and a short film made in Vietnam especially for the event. More details can be found at www.landmines.org.uk
October
15, 2004 -- The SunI WANNA hold your handbag!
Romantic Sir Paul McCartney goes shopping in Beverly Hills - carrying a bag emblazoned with wife Heather's photo. Guess the former Beatle, 62, simply can't handle being apart from his 36-year-old missus.
October 15, 2004 -- Getty Photos
Mary McCartney Donald's "Off Pointe" photo exhibit
Mary McCartney Donald attended the private reception of her new exhibition "Off Pointe" at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on Wednesday October 13 in London.
Mary's photo exhibition features off stage photographs of Royal Ballet members.
Also attending the exhibit were Stella McCartney, Olivia Harrison, George Martin, Twiggy, Jools Holland and Peter Blake.
MORE
The Mail on Sunday
Paul McCartney's eldest daughter Mary famously photographed the Prime Minister. Now she is to show off her flair in her debut exhibition entitled "Off Point. "
Mary, 35, spent three months traveling with the Royal Ballet for the project, which will be displayed at the Royal Opera House this month.
"She was lovely," said one dancer. "She came out for some of our trip to New York and has been hanging out with us in London, clicking away discreetly. She's a gem, the dancers love her."
October 14, 2004 -- BBC News
Beatles show to open in Las Vegas
The Beatles and theatre group Cirque du Soleil are teaming up to produce a Las Vegas show which will replace the famous Siegfried and Roy act. Siegfried and Roy performed at The Mirage theatre for 13 years before Roy Horn was nearly killed on stage by a tiger a year ago.
The $100 million (£55 million) 90-minute show should be ready in 20 months' time and will feature acrobatics and Beatles music. It is the first time the Beatles have collaborated on a major theatre project, said Neil Aspinall, managing director of the band's Apple Corps label. He said other offers amounted to nothing "more than a stage production with cover versions" of Beatles songs.
Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will
not be appearing in the production. McCartney and Starr will
help out on the project, along with Olivia Harrison and Yoko
Ono.
It is not yet known what songs will be chosen but the production
will have complete access to the band's music archive. Montreal
company Cirque du Soleil has enjoyed global success with its
mix of circus-style acrobatics, music and drama. More than seven
million people around the world saw one of their shows last year.
"They did with words what we did with images," said
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte of the Beatles. The show
will take place in the Mirage's new theatre, which is currently
being built - when completed, it will hold 2,000 people and offer
360-degree seating.
October 14,
2004 -- Folha de Sao Paulo
Brian Wilson was interviewed
recently by a Brazilian newspaper (Folha de Sao Paulo) and said
that he would record with Paul in Los Angeles this January and
that he's already written two songs for the endeavor.
October 14,
2004 -- Macca album rumors
Sounds like?
A new song called "I've
Got My Magic Back" is said to sound like "Day Tripper"
meets "Paperback Writer." The song opens with Paul singing a cappella "I've got my magic back..."
October 13,
2004 -- A MACCA REPORT EXCLUSIVE!!!
Message from Brian Ray
Hello my friends,
I hope you are well out there
in laptop land!
It's early October and the seasons are changing fast.
As you might know, our plans change all the time and we are all
excited about the ideas being talked about.
AND..
I want to introduce you all to Fiona who will be taking over
as webmistress for me on my website. She has just done a great job
of updating it for me, and she is a doll! You will see her take
over communications for me as well, so feel free to write to
me through her.
ALSO...
I'll have an announcement for all of you on October 21st which
I hope will answer many of your emails and questions on Jorie's site, and on my thread on the Rock Show topic
at Paul's
site.
You guys are the best fans in the world, and I thank you for all your support for Paul and the band. Take care and stick together.
YOU ROOOOCK!!
Stay tuned,
Brian
October 12, 2004 -- The Times
Madonna and other little beauties in my mini bookcase
The editor of Tatler, Geordie Greig, on how he got big names to write tiny books for a good cause
It is about 20 years since I was cub reporter on the streets of Deptford, working for the South East London and Kentish Mercury, where on my first day I was warned that there were usually more murders committed than we could report. For two years I witnessed some of the worst urban poverty in western Europe. My work centred around inquests into suicides from tower blocks, police briefings on pointless robberies, hanging out with gangsters such as Charlie Richardson and seeing families cope with poverty and homelessness.
So when I got a call at the Mayfair offices of Tatler magazine, where I am now editor, asking if I would help to raise funds for the 999 Club, a Deptford charity which provides advice, help and accommodation for the homeless and helpless, it struck a chord.
My perverse plan was to think small to think big: the charity's trustees and I got 25 leatherbound miniature books made, all just over one inch tall, and sent them to some of the world's greatest artists, statesmen and writers, hoping to end up with small books with a big price.
J K Rowling was the first to embrace the idea by sending hers back filled with exquisite drawings of the items that Harry Potter needs for his wizardry. In her own hand she made sketches of broomsticks and witches' hats. Last year one postcard by Rowling describing the plot of a Harry Potter book fetched £26,000 at auction, so I am hoping that we can do really well for the 999 Club when hers and the other 24 books go up for auction at Sotheby's on November 1.
David Hockney drew nine landscapes of his native Yorkshire sitting at a table in his Kensington studio, mesmerised by the miniature scale. It is the only Hockney notebook ever to leave his studio.
I went to Paris to hear Madonna sing and to pick up her little book in which she had written the lyrics of American Life and drawn her version of the stars and stripes.
In New York, John Eastman, Paul McCartney's former brother-in-law, passed on my request to the former Beatle. I stupidly made the error of forgetting that McCartney was such a strict vegetarian that he would not look at, let alone write in, a book bound in animal skin. We quickly made up a "veggie" version in which he wrote the lyrics of Hey Jude and drew a smiling vegetarian cow.
Some of the books are like holding in the palm of your hand a piece of history. For instance, Mrs T S Eliot, widow of the greatest poet of the 20th century, wrote out the opening lines of the greatest modern poem, The Wasteland.
As I write, David Beckham is sending in his book with a description and drawings of his greatest sporting moment. It has been a wonderful project. I just hope that these small books will produce a big result for Deptford.
October 10, 2004
From Jason
Falkner's Web site Fan Forum
Jason's response when asked about his experience recording with
Paul McCartney:
"Paul? You mean the guy
who calles me 'Jase'? Hahaha, well I did 2 weeks on his record
in April and might be doing a bit more but I'm not sure. It was
incredible as one would imagine.
He sent me the sweetest letter saying how he's still listening
to 'Bedtime With the Beatles' in between naps! I'm still in shock
when I think about it."
Falkner Eyes
Solo Album, Plays With McCartney -- Billboard.com
Versatile pop-rocker Jason Falkner, five years removed from the release of his last full-length solo album, "Can You Still Feel?" (Elektra), is nearing completion of its follow-up while balancing multiple side projects and musical endeavors.
Among his recent musical adventures was a recording session earlier this year in Los Angeles with rock legend Paul McCartney. "That was amazing," Falkner tells Billboard.com. "It was just me and Paul and this drummer, James Gadson, who was the original drummer for Bill Withers."
Falkner was called into the sessions by producer Nigel Godrich (who produced "Can You Still Feel?") and he played guitar on a number of songs with McCartney. "He's doing different sessions with different producers," Falkner says of the former Beatle, "but nobody knows ... if those sessions are gonna be his record."
McCartney wasn't familiar with his collaborator's musical history when they met, so Falkner gave him a copy of "Bedtime With the Beatles," the instrumental children's lullaby album Falkner released through Sony/Wonder in 2001. He admits it "blew his mind" after McCartney gave him a glowing review of the disc the next time they met.
October 10, 2004 -- Mirror
STELLA MATES
It may have been Gwyneth Paltrow's 32nd birthday party but pregnant pal Stella McCartney was the star of the show.
Having announced her happy news at the launch of her spring/summer collection on Thursday, the designer was clearly feeling quite emotional.
She gave Hollywood actress Gwynnie a £60,000 ($108,000) diamond and platinum ring from her own collection as a birthday gift. What a gem.
And she wasn't the only A-list friend to make an appearance. Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, designer Valentino and Nicole Kidman were among the lucky few.
The party was held at a friend's Paris apartment but Gwynnie's husband Chris Martin was busy in London recording the new Coldplay album and babysitting Apple.
All eyes were on Stella's bump, the first child for her and publisher husband Alasdhair Willis.
Confirming she was three months'
pregnant the 33-year-old said she didn't know if it was a boy
or girl, adding, "I want the surprise."
October 9,
2004 -- Liverpool Echo
I turned down Paul
He became world famous as the man who foiled Paul McCartney's attempt to join Liverpool cathedral choir.
But Ronald Woan has his own unique claim to fame as the only person to have been associated with the music of a Gothic cathedral for three quarters of its entire history.
For 75 years, 37 of them as choir director, the former school teacher has enjoyed an unbroken relationship with cathedral life.
"I grew up, from my own days as a boy chorister, as the cathedral itself also grew," says Ron, now 85 and whose fond memories include presiding at the completion ceremony in October, 1978.
Now, during the cathedral's centenary year, he returns to conduct a service being staged in his honor.
Singing in a new additional girls' choir will be Ron's 14-year-old grand-daughter, Rebecca Copping.
Former choristers from throughout the UK and Europe and as far away as Texas are returning to take part. They are among more than 1,000 singers to have been trained by Ronald Woan.
Paul McCartney will not be there, having failed his choir audition in 1952.
Says Ron, "It wasn't because he couldn't read music, as is often wrongly reported. It's just that we had more than 90 boys to choose from that day for only a limited number of places.
"If I had taken him on, Paul would probably have ended up teaching music in a comprehensive school and not be worth the millions he is today. So I think I did him a favor and I should have a cut of the profits!"
The special service, on Saturday October 23, will also include a new anthem, dedicated to Ron, by the composer John Madden, himself a chorister during the 1960s.
Ronald Woan, born in Bootle and educated at Liverpool Institute, took over as the cathedral's director of music in 1948. At the same time, he began weekday work as a music teacher in Crosby schools.
October 8, 2004 -- Vogue/AP
STELLA McCARTNEY PREGNANT
After having denied countless rumors in the past that she was expecting, Stella McCartney happily confirmed yesterday that she is expecting her first baby next year. McCartney made the announcement Thursday at the launch of her new spring/summer collection during Paris Fashion Week. A spokesman for the designer confirmed she was 3 1/2 months pregnant.
Her appearance on the catwalk at the end of her spring/summer 2005 catwalk show - looking bustier than usual in a shapeless chiffon blouse - first got people talking and her collection of loose, flowing, bump-flattering summer dresses only added to the speculation.
The 33-year-old designer, who married Alasdhair Willis in August last year, told reporters that she did not intend to find out whether she was having a boy or a girl. "I want it to be a natural thing," she said. "I want the surprise."
October 7, 2004 -- Yahoo.News
Paris fashion week: Stella McCartney's carefree summer
Stella McCartney unveiled a light, feminine collection for spring-summer
2005 of flowing dresses and laid-back separates that were perfect
for a low-key weekend in the Caribbean or on the Riviera.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney was not there to support his 33-year-old daughter, but Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow provided the star power in the front row at the morning show inside the Paris stock exchange building.
Paltrow, looking radiant five months after giving birth, tapped her feet to the sounds of 1980s hits like Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance" and Salt-N-Pepa's hip-hop "Push It" and nodded approvingly at McCartney's idea of bohemian chic.
White shirt dresses, knotted sarong wrap pants in batik prints with bags to match, loose-fitting sage green trousers and breezy linen blouses -- the British designer offered a relaxed but sophisticated look.
The fresh-faced models with tousled curls looked like they had just stepped off the beach, in sexy white swimwear with multiple cut-outs. High-heeled espadrilles completed the look.
McCartney mixed in a few lingerie-inspired pieces like a floor-length slip dress with lace inserts or a beaded bra under a pleated rose sun dress.
She incorporated a bit of masculine tailoring into her collection as well, pairing cropped tuxedo jackets over flippy white dresses.
The end result? A fun, playful
and easily accessible look for next summer.
October 7, 2004 -- The Scotsman
Stella Brings the Beach to the City
Stella McCartney's cure for a stressed out city summer is to summon the spirit of the beach.
From airy white dresses inspired by Victorian lingerie to loosened up man-tailored suits, McCartney's spring-summer 2005 line unveiled in Paris was all about breezy confidence.
After her show on the floor of the French capital's ornate old Stock Exchange, McCartney said she had striven to harness the freedom of a summer day at the seaside.
"To me it was about when you come out of the water in a bathing suit and you just grab a piece of fabric and you wrap it around you," McCartney said backstage. "That sense of freedom that you feel when you're on holiday and don't feel people are watching you and bringing that to a city."
Batik prints surfaced on shirt-dresses, sarong-wrap trousers and a pretty sage and white button-down tank dress.
Earth-toned or white baggy blouses in cotton voile slipped off the shoulder like a shirt borrowed from a boyfriend's closet that is comfortable and subtly seductive.
"I love that, it's sexy when you have movement between fabric and body," the designer said.
But looser forms were always paired with a delicate structured tailoring to create a contrast that flattered.
Oversized Victorian lingerie was the basis for white and pale blue cotton dresses with intricate lace inlay that oozed femininity. The silhouette was loose and freeform, with a dropped waist and full skirts or a smoother line with a light ruffle trim.
If the collection had an air of country innocence, it was tinged with street chic and drew hearty applause from McCartney's faithful celebrity fans.
Gwyneth Paltrow, in the front row, tapped her knee-high stiletto boots in time with remixed rap tunes as the models legged down the runway in heeled wooden-soled espadrilles. Seated nearby were movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and photographer Nan Goldin.
"I loved it," Goldin said after the show. "The use of fabric is incredible."
"She makes things flow on the human body in a way that has real respect for women's bodies."
Man-styled suits were remodelled with a sassy edge, like an oversized pale grey waistcoat and matching full-leg trousers worn long with wide cuffs.
For evening, white baggy silk trousers came with a cotton voile tank or a slim fitting white blazer. A satiny tuxedo jacket was cropped and snug. Silky pants were also worn low-waisted and loose, but tapered at the ankle with a cuff. Some evening wear sparkled with delicate rhinestone details.
Beachwear was high-cut at
the leg in stretchy cotton. Teeny bikinis were decorated with
lattice-worked tops sexy one-piece suits had scooped out ovals
in the centre.
October 7,
2004
Stella McCartney's spring-summer
2005 ready-to-wear collection fashion show was today in Paris.
October 7,
2004 -- MSN.Com
Has Renee Walked Away?
Is Renee Zellweger back on the market? Based on comments the
actress recently made to the London Sun, her on-again, off-again
relationship with White Stripes rocker/pugilist Jack White seems
to be off -- again.
"There's nobody else in my life right now," Zellweger tells the paper. "I'm just not interested at the moment. You know, I'm always on a set or on a plane but we'll see."
The Oscar winner does cop to a crush, but don't expect a hook-up. "I really like Paul McCartney," she says of the very married ex-Beatle, tongue firmly in cheek. "I haven't told him yet but I think some friends of mine have."
October 7, 2004 -- The Sun
Yesterday aired 8 million times
Paul McCartney's classic hit Yesterday has won the title of most popular British song in America.
It has been played an incredible EIGHT MILLION times on US radio - which adds up to more than 45 YEARS on the air.
The amazing figures were revealed last night at the BMI Awards at London's Dorchester Hotel.
The BMI, America's performing rights agency, collects royalties for songwriters from radio and TV.
And they have certainly been busy with Yesterday. More than 3,000 artists have recorded versions of the ballad - making it the most-covered song ever, according to Guinness World Records.
McCartney wrote the track in 1964 and offered it to rocker Billy J. Kramer the following year - but was turned down.
Billy explained later: "Paul played it to me when I was doing a summer season in Blackpool.
"I said, 'I don't like it, Paul. It's boring and I want a rock 'n' roll song.' "
Instead, it went on The Beatles' 1965 album Help! with John Lennon listed as co-composer. The pair were always credited together, even if one of them wrote a Beatles track alone.
But Lennon and fellow Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison disliked the song so much they vetoed its release as a single in Britain.
It came out in the US, though, where it topped the charts for four weeks. In Britain, Matt Monro cashed in with a cover which reached No. 8 in 1965.
The Beatles' version was finally released here in 1976 and again made it to No8. Wet Wet Wet recorded it 21 years later and hit No4.
Most of the royalties from Yesterday go to Sony Publishing, who bought much of The Beatles' playlist from Michael Jackson.
Jacko still gets a share along with the surviving Beatles and the estates of John and George. The most-played British songs in the US also include Lennon's Imagine and Elton John's Candle In The Wind.
Also on the list is Barry Manilow's Mandy, written in Britain by Americans Scott English and Richard Kerr. The Matt Monro classic Born Free and Mike And The Mechanics' Living Years are also US favorites.
Even Canadian-born Shania Twain gets a look-in. She counts as British because she is registered with the UK Performing Right Society. There is a complicated formula for working out the royalties each time a record is played.
Factors include the popularity of the song, how long it is played and the type of outlet. In Britain, radio stations pay about £5 ($9.1 million) to play a track. The amount is much smaller in the US and the eight million plays of Yesterday there have made £1.3million ($2.4) over the years.
The song is played for an
average of three minutes and that means it has spent 45.7 years
on air.
October 6,
2004 -- Reuters
Paul McCartney was on NBC's
"Today Show" Wednesday, October 6 talking about the
October 15 landmine benefit and auctioning off replica's of his
Signature Epiphone Texan acoustic.
Signature
McCartney Guitar Heads To Auction
The first Paul McCartney Signature 1964 Epiphone Texan, serial
No. 001, will be auctioned to benefit Adopt-A-Minefield, the landmine clearance
and survivor assistance program.
The auction begins today (Oct. 6) at 8 a.m. EST and concludes Oct. 14. It coincides with the Oct. 15 Adopt-A-Minefield Los Angeles Gala, hosted by McCartney and his wife, Heather Mills McCartney at the Century City Plaza Hotel. McCartney will perform with Neil Young at the event, which will be hosted by Jay Leno.
The guitar is an exact replica of the one McCartney used to write and perform the Beatles' "Yesterday" in 1965. It is signed by the artist and made available to bidders exclusively at Charityfolks.com and Gibson.com. (Current bid $30,000)
The Oct. 15 benefit will feature
a live auction of the second Signature 1964 Epiphone Texan (serial
No. 002). Both guitars are part of the first of a run of 40 hand-made
Epiphones produced in the United States by Gibson Guitar Corp.
under McCartney's supervision.
October 4,
2004 -- Belfast Telegraph
Sir Paul and Dolly set for Belfast shows in 2005
For two of the world's biggest pop stars may shine on the Ulster concert front in 2005.
Industry sources have told Sunday Life that both country music icon, Dolly Parton AND Beatles' legend, Paul McCartney, are being lined up for box office-busting concerts in Belfast, next year.
Sunday Life has also learned that Paul McCartney may be on his way to play his FIRST EVER solo gig in Ulster.
The 62-year-old former Beatles'
star is believed to be considering an invitation to perform in
Ulster for the first time, since his Beatles' heyday. Fans were
disappointed when a rumoured top of the bill Stormont '03
spot failed to happen - as the only available date coincided
with his Glastonbury Festival appearance.
But speculation is mounting that he is now considering touring again - with more European shows, including Belfast, a distinct possibility.
A source told Sunday Life: "Aiken's were 70pc sure that they were going to get McCartney for Stormont. But it just didn't happen.
"But, there is an invitation for him to play at two or three nights at the Odyssey Arena instead, if he does go back out on the road next year."
Aiken Promotions, which brought Parton to Belfast in 2002 and McCartney to Dublin in 2003, were unavailable for comment.
No-one from Paul McCartney's
UK press office was available for comment.
October 4,
2004 -- NY Post
New Macca
Sighting
Paul McCartney was spotted
dining at Il Gattopardo restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.
October 2, 2004 -- Macca Report Exclusive!!
Unconfirmed: Pete Best has put together a video 'documentary'
about himself and his days with the Beatles. Paul McCartney supposedly has contributed an interview for the
documentary.
October 2,
2004 -- Rocky Mountain News
The NHL lockout could change McCartney's 2005 US tour schedule
to the summer and fall.
A possible NHL lockout threatens
to cancel the National Hockey League's entire 2004-05 season.
The full NHL season could be scrapped sometime in December, which
would open up some opportunities further down the road. Early
word had it that U2 and Paul McCartney
were holding off on scheduling their spring tours to see if the
arenas across the country would open up with a hockey lockout.
The thinking was they could have their pick of dates and routing
when the full season got scrapped.
The situation has changed a bit in recent days. McCartney's tour reportedly has been pushed back to later in the year - possibly summer or fall.
News continues on the Macca Report November 2004
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Report
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