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This afternoon Sir Paul teamed up with BBC Radio 1 presenters Mark Radcliffe and Marc "Lard" Riley for what he believes was his first live BBC performance. (His earlier Beatles BBC sessions were pre-recorded). Sir Paul on acoustic guitar was joined by Mark on drums, Lard on guitar, and engineer Chris Lee on bass for a rough and ready live version of Freedom. Sir Paul described the performance in this way:"That's the worst load of rubbish I've ever heard in my life. If there's any record executives listening in, we are available for your label."Sir Paul's solo material is rarely played on Radio 1 these days since station executives do not believe that it appeals to their 15-24 year-old target audience. The interview gave Sir Paul the opportunity to announce to this audience that he is planning begin to play live dates with a new band in March of next year.Sir Paul had originally been scheduled to visit Mark & Lard in their Manchester studio a few weeks ago, but postponed his appearance when George Harrison passed away. During today's show, Sir Paul talked about saying farewell to his dear friend:
"The best thing for me was seeing him for a couple of hours and laughing and joking and holding his hand. Afterwards I realized I'd never, ever held his hand. We'd been to school together and got on buses together and we didn't hold each other's hands. It was like a compensation; he was rubbing his thumb up and down my hand and it was very nice."Sir Paul and Ringo have spoken together about their loss: "Just to touch base and say 'what a bummer'. It's difficult to know what to say."The interview and the live performance of Freedom can be heard on the Mark & Lard website.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
 |
The album is out this week and the
film opens on December 20, but you can listen to Sir Paul's new song Vanilla
Sky now on the film's web page. This song takes the
place of the previously announced inclusion of Sir Paul's From a Lover
to a Friend track from his Driving Rain album.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins) |
In his first concert appearance since the death of George Harrison, Sir Paul dedicated his Nobel Peace Prize concert performance to his friend and fellow Beatle. Sir Paul sang two songs from his new Driving Rain album, Your Loving Flame and Freedom. He announced:"The first one I wrote for my fiancée, Heather, and the second one I wrote for the American people after September 11, but tonight I'd like to dedicate them both to my friend George.''During an interview with Norwegian NRK television on Monday, Sir Paul disclosed that he had held hands with George for two hours during their last meeting in New York city just a
few weeks before he died.At the close of the event, 200 musicians from nine countries joined Sir Paul on stage for the singing of the Beatles anthem Let it Be.
Heather Mills also participated in the concert in a pre-recorded video on behalf of the 1997 Peace Prize winner, the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines, in which she called on the audience to " Please join me in celebrating support for the work of this group. ''
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
This evening, Sir Paul and Heather Mills were guests at the Nobel Banquet at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway. The glittering banquet was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the prestigious prize. Sir Paul arrived amid tight security as this weeks events mark the largest ever single gathering of past Nobel laureates.Earlier in the day, Sir Paul was interviewd by Norwegian TV2 after UN General Secretary Kofi Annan was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. "It's such an important cause, peace," said Sir Paul. He revelaed that he had followed the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prizes "since I was a little kid".
In another interview with Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), Sir Paul admitted that being "a pacifist all my life", the September terrorist attacks on the United States placed him in a difficult situation:"People kept asking me whether I supported the U.S. response. What else were they supposed to do? Just say 'don't do it again?"Sir Paul stated that when a country is invaded, he is ready to set aside his pacifist beliefs and respond militarily. He agreed that given all the terror-related conflicts in the world at the moment, it is a bit odd to be performing at a peace-related event. "But that's why it's so important," he said.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
The site also contains and interesting interview in which Sir Paul talks about his new album and next year's tour, Linda, George, and John, his marriage to Heather next year, and the time he spent in New York city following the attack on New York's World Trade Center - including his account of his visit to Ground Zero the following week:
"Heather and I went out to dinner and when we finished, I said, 'Would you like to get a cab and see how near we can get?' So we took a cab, and we went down to Canal Street, and then we started walking. It was raining. We went up to the police lines and asked, 'Could we go down here?' A few of the guys recognized me and said, 'Well, you can come through, Paul!' It was that kind of spirit. It was like, 'Good, you're down here,' and I was like, 'It's
great what you're doing.' Of course, the nearer we got, the smoke was in our clothes, in our eyes. You could see all the spotlights. We just stood there, said a little prayer, and that was it. Then we went to this bar nearby, which was nearly empty; maybe a couple of rescue workers were there. I said, 'I need a stiff drink.' "(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
A week of Nobel Peace Prize centennial festivities, including a three-day symposium attended by the Dalai Lama and 27 other peace laureates, will to culminate tomorrow with a concert headlined by Sir Paul McCartney. Sir Paul says it will be a privilege to perform for this year's honoree, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, at the star-studded concert for peace which will be held on Tuesday in Oslo, Norway:"I have always felt that the strength of peace and love can give the world hope upon which to build our future. It is my honor to help celebrate 100 years of the Nobel Peace Price. It is also a privilege to perform for Kofi Annan.Sir Paul will perform songs from his new Driving Rain album at the concert."Peace has long been the theme of many of my songs and although I believe that the world could not simply ignore the events of September 11, I remain a pacifist and am happy to play for peace. "
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Filmmaker Albert Maysles has confirmed that he is working on a new film about Sir Paul and the Concert for New York City. Maysles is best remembered for his The Rolling Stones: Gimme Shelter documentary which chronicled the band's 1969 tour that ended in tragedy at Altamont Speedway 32 years ago. For this new documentary, Sir Paul asked Maysles to film in black and white, as he did in 1964 when he shot the Beatles for the movie Beatles: The First U.S. Visit, which was produced for Britain's Granada Television and released on video in the United States in 1991. The new documentary will chronicle the Concert beginning five days before the concert up until the actual event. Maysles says he will spend the next six months editing the New York footage.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Liverpool's Daily Post wrote today that Sir Paul will return to his hometown next July to appear in Liverpool's Summer Pops. The 2002 Summer Pops will be held in a 4,500 seat big top at Kings Dock. This will be an important event for Liverpool according to Council leader Mike Storey who explains: "Next year's Pops are crucial, because the actual judging of the city's bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008, will be done at the same time. That is why we are determined that next year's event will be even better (than last year's)."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"I just wasn't good enough. I found it very difficult to play the guitar although like many teenagers in those days I fancied my chances. On the other hand, Paul was a natural."The photo was taken in 1958 by Sir Paul's brother Mike during a regular gathering of the lads in the back room of their Auntie Gin's house in Dinas Lane, Roby, Liverpool. Dennis explains:
"Paul and Mike lived there after their mum died of cancer. I lived across the road at number 92 and they would all gather there after school to mess about with guitars. I wanted to be like Hank Marvin of the Shadows and even when the Beatles were big he remained my favorite."Sir Paul remained friends with Dennis even after the success of the Beatles:
"I recall being invited to Paul's 21st birthday party. Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and lots of other big pop names were there, but the highlight was when, at about one o'clock in the morning, Paul said he wanted me to meet someone. It was Hank Marvin. I was so made up. And to this day he, not the Beatles, is still my number one."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul may soon qualify for an Oscar nomination! According to Daily Variety, the film I Am Sam with it's all-Beatles soundtrack of 17 cover versions of Beatles tunes will have an Oscar qualifying run in Los Angeles beginning on December 28. The soundtrack is scheduled for release on January 8. The first single from the film will be Rufus Wainwright's version of Across the Universe. The second single will most likely be Ben Harper's version of Strawberry Fields. Other tracks include Eddie Vedder's You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, the Wallflowers' I'm Looking Through You, Sheryl Crow singing Mother Nature's Son, and Ben Folds performing Golden Slumbers. Daily Variety claims that this is one of the most ambitious soundtrack projects in recent years and quotes V2 president Andy Gershon as saying: "I don't think music determines whether a film grosses $ 20 million or $ 30 million, but this music complements the emotions of the movie. The soundtrack's success depends to a degree on the success of the film, but it still has to be a great record."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Today, the German magazine Stern quotes Sir Paul McCartney as saying that his wife-to-be, Heather Mills, knows very little about The Beatles: "She doesn't know a single song. Heather grew up with classical music and had friends who listened to hard rock such as AC/DC. She had no Beatles records at home."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul has expressed some concern over the possibility of becoming the subject of Andrew Morton's next book. (See November 17 and November 7 below.) When asked about this by Chicago Sun Times columnist, Michael Seend, Morton confessed that Sir Paul, Fidel Castro, and Michael Jackson need not worry, even though he won't reveal the name of the person he is currently writing about: "Actually, I toss out those bits to keep everyone's interest up, but I wouldn't tell anyone yet -- and it's none of the above."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Due to the death of his friend, George Harrison, Sir Paul canceled his appearance at last evening's Top of the Pops ceremony. Sir Paul had intended to go to the Manchester awards ceremony to perform Freedom and to accept his award as the first entrant into the ceremony's Hall Of Fame. Instead, Sir Paul sent a handwritten note which was read by host Jamie Theakston at the ceremony. Sir Paul wrote:"It was a great honor to receive this award, but because of the sad news I can't be here tonight to accept it.Stella McCartney had planned to hide at the ceremony and surprise her father by presenting the award to him. Instead, the band Travis fought back tears as they performed their version of George's Here Comes the Sun."I would like to dedicate this award with love to my brother George, without whom it would not have been possible."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
In a pre-recorded message, Sir Paul led the tributes to Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly
during the duo's final Saturday morning television show for the BBC. Ant and Dec were reported to look stunned as they listened to Sir Paul and others talk about their memories of the show. Both the men were left speechless and wiping tears from their eyes after the three-hour testimonial.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Some reporters caught up with Sir Paul later in the day on Friday. He had these few words to say to them about George:"I found out last night and I'm devastated, obviously, like everyone is. He had a long battle with his cancer. And ... but I saw him three weeks ago and he was full of fun, like he always was. He's such a brave lad. To me, he's just my little baby brother. We grew up together and I knew him in my old home town of Liverpool. And we just had so many beautiful times together that that's what I'm going to remember him by. A lovely guy who's full of humor, as I say, even when I saw him last time and he was obviously very unwell. He was still cracking jokes like he always was. And he'll be sorely missed. He's a beautiful man and the world will miss him. So that's really all I can manage to say at the moment. And I'd just like to ask everyone, including--mainly the media, to be very kind to Olivia and Dhani, his wife and son, at this moment when they're going to need a lot of help and support."Sir Paul told other reporters that George was:"A lovely guy who is full of humor. Very brave man. And I'm just privileged to have known him, and I love him like he's my brother. It's a very sad day for me and for a lot of other people."We will miss George for his sense of love, his sense of music and his sense of
laughter. He's a really beautiful guy who I love dearly. He was a great guy, full of love for humanity.""We know he has been ill for a while and we have just been praying for some kind of miracle, It wasn't to be, but I understand from his wife he went peacefully, which is a great blessing, and it was a very peaceful golden moment, apparently.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
November 30: "I am devastated"An understandably emotional Sir Paul emerged from his St. John's Wood home in north-west London this morning to speak to reporters about the loss of his dear friend, George Harrison. Here are some of the thoughts he shared with them:"I am devastated and very, very sad. He was a lovely guy and a very brave man and had a wonderful sense of humor. He is really just my baby brother."Sir Paul said that although he was aware of the seriousness of George's illness, he still held on to the hope that some sort of miracle might happen. Shortly after meeting with the reporters, Sir Paul and Heather drove away from his home in a blue Mercedes. Later in the day, Sir Paul issued the following statement: "Luckily Heather and I saw him a couple of weeks ago and true to form he was laughing and joking. George was a very brave man with a heart of gold but also someone who didn't suffer fools gladly. I'll miss him and will always remember that without George it all wouldn't have been possible. I'll always love him, he's my baby brother."Sir Paul was scheduled to travel to Manchester today to be honored as the first person to be inducted into the Top Of The Pops Hall Of Fame. Although has decided not to attend the ceremony this evening, Sir Paul has contacted the BBC to discuss his intentions to accept the award in George's name. |
Some links to news sites (taken from the Beatlemania website): German News | engl. News (1) | engl. News (2) | engl. News (3) | Undercover Interview | BBC | BBC2 | CNN | n-tv | icLiverpool | Fox | Die Welt | NY Times | CBS
"We want people to charge their partners, friends, communities or corporations. They can charge anything from £5 to £500 to £5,000, depending on how generous people are and how much they can afford. It's nice if they can do a themed evening - looking on our website will give them recipe ideas - or they can just charge for a normal dinner.Sir Paul added:"There are millions and millions of minefields around the world which we still have to clear. One dinner can help fit up a child for 20, for 20,000 you can clear a minefield of acres and acres of contaminated land."
"Our minefield has just finished being cleared today. It is an area around a cemetery and it will allow people to go to that cemetery, which they haven't been able to do. It's great for the local community because it means they can have a degree of safety."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
BBC's Radio 2 has announced that Sir Paul will perform a live and exclusive solo concert for a select audience of just 200 people on Thursday, December 13 in the BBC's Radio Theater (Broadcasting House Portland Place, London W1).
Radio 2 is also offering the opportunity to enter a contest to win one of 50 pairs of tickets if one can answer the following question: How old was Sir Paul when he wrote his first song? a) 6 b) 14 c) 20.
The competition closes on December 2. (Sorry, overseas players are not eligible. The quiz is open to UK residents only.)(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
In a Belfast News Letter profile of Seamus McGarvey, the Irish filmmaker shares a story about working with Sir Paul on the No Other Baby video. To film this musical tribute to Linda, McGarvey and his camera had to climb into a tiny boat with Sir Paul. It was a frosty cold day, and McGarvey was bundled in a coat trimmed with a fur collar which he tried to keep tucked inside out of respect for Sir Paul's animal rights convictions. After struggling with this collar for a while, Sir Paul told him, "Listen mate, unruffle your fur. Don't worry about it. Thank you for making the effort," prompting Seamus McGarvey to recall, "He's a really nice guy."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
The News of the World reports that Sir Paul still wants Ireland to be given back to the Irish. However, remaining true to his anti-terrorist position, Sir Paul has stated that while he supports the aims of the IRA and would like to see a united Ireland, his message to the IRA is clear: "I don't like their methods."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Last week, Driving Rain opened at No. 26 on the Billboard chart with 66,000 copies sold. This week it has tumbled to No. 65. Industry executives explain that these days the market is driven by pre-teens
who load up on pop fluff, or by teenagers who focus on alternative rock who can be easily reached via MTV and youth-oriented publications. Andy Allen, president of Alternative Distribution Alliance, an AOL Time Warner Inc.-owned music distributor states that it is more difficult to market music to the adult audience: "Projects that are targeted towards adults don't have that slammin' movie-opening first week that some of the teen records have, but they do sell for a long period of time.''What is key now is spreading the word via the radio, magazine articles, television appearances and other event-oriented promotions. Sir Paul will spend the rest of 2001 focus on the European promotion of his new album. Although he has nothing scheduled in the United States for the rest of the year, his Freedom charity single is receiving solid support from American radio stations.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
On December 15, Sir Paul is scheduled to make an appearance on the German television show "Wetten, dass...?" (on ZDF, from 20:15 CET; freely available in analogue PAL and digital on the ASTRA satellites) which is aired live from Dresden, Germany. [tickets are long sold out since they are only available 6 months in advance]This has now been confirmed by ZDF (link to German press information)
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins. Thanks to Evelyn Schwarz for the confirmation link)
In an NME interview this week, Sir Paul revealed that his Beatle tunes were not written under the influence of drugs:"I actually don't think you write better high. I went through a period of thinking that and it would certainly feel nice, but you ask yourself too many questions. You get to a line where you've got a couple of alternative words to use and you'd spend three hours on that and I don't think it's worth it so I really don't do that now. And we never did. In all The Beatles stuff that John and I wrote together, we never once smoked. Listening back was a different matter."Sir Paul does support the softening of the British Government's stance on cannabis, whereby possession of a small amount will no longer be an arrestable offense:"I think it's a good idea because it creates too many criminals, particularly among kids. Like any drugs, you really have to be careful with it. Decriminalization is a good idea because it gives you a light tap on the wrist and says, 'Hey, don't get too into that, don't rely on it, 'cos that's not cool'. I like a drink occasionally but I hardly ever smoke now."Sir Paul also revealed in the interview that Quincy Jones's nickname for Michael Jackson was "smelly":"Presumably there was some reason for that but I must say I didn't sniff anything untoward. We did swap pullovers, strangely enough, though. Actually, I had a rather cool one and he said 'Let's swap pullovers', so I said, 'Yeah, go on then'. And he gave me one from, like, Marks & Sparks or something."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul's appearance in the two-hour Nobel Peace Prize 100th Anniversary Concert (see November 2 below) will be televised in America on Sunday, December 16 on the Popular Arts Channel TRIO at 8:00 PM, EST with an edited one-hour encore performance to be telecast on the USA Network on Friday, December 21 at 3:00 PM, EST.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Knowing his new album would be competing with the works of Madonna and Britney Spears, Sir Paul revealed today that before the recording of Driving Rain he considered creating a modern dance music album. Even though he thinks it would have been a good album, he decided against it because he and his fans find his own style much more interesting, and besides, his friends would not have approved. He said that Elvis Costello "would have been on the phone immediately telling me off, and sure, this is a better way for me to work." However, Sir Paul added that he has never shyed away from experimenting with new sounds even though some of his experiments were not major hits:"Sure, when I look back, I think it had been a good idea not to publish some of my records, but you do what you do. I'm not a person who regrets things."And what is it like having to live up to the legend of the Beatles?"This Beatles monster has been a very nice monster. It's my friend. Even if one works in the shadow of it. I usually ignore him, maybe wave to him or say hello, then I go on with my business.''(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Researchers at the Glasgow Caledonian University claim they have scientifically proven that the friendship between Paul McCartney and John Lennon enhanced their creativity and thus served as the key to the success of the Beatles. Their tests revealed that when teams of students were asked to compose a piece of music, those partnered with their best friend produced more original and higher quality compositions than those paired with a stranger.Raymond McDonald, a lecturer in music and psychology at the university, said: "A creative partnership forged in friendship has so much more going for it beyond the music. This could be the answer why Lennon and McCartney were so good. The fact they shared so many cultural reference points
facilitated the creative process."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
At the launch of the disability web site access4fitness at London's Cafe Royal the other day, Heather Mills offered a tip on how to teach youngsters to overcome their prejudice against amputees. "It's important to educate children from a young age so I suggest forcing children to tie one leg to their back for a day to see how they cope," she said with a grin. "If I'm in a gym and people see my metal leg popping off and bouncing all over the place I make light of the situation and that makes people feel more comfortable. Disabled people should stop looking to others for help and try to help themselves. I get called one-legged hoppy model but I don't care."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
This week, public television stations across America will broadcast Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records, a two-hour documentary from the "American Masters" series. (Check your local listings.) For the documentary, Sir Paul recorded Elvis Presley's That's All Right with guitarist Scotty Moore, who backed Elvis on the original 1954 recording, and Elvis's drummer, D.J. Fontana. "We were so turned on by your stuff," Sir Paul told the musicians before he strapped on his guitar.
The documentary shows Sir Paul blissfully rocking and bopping in a straight-backed chair in the old Sun studio in Memphis as he listens to the playback of his recording session. With the faint strains of That's All Right leaking through his headphones, we see Sir Paul completely into the moment, oblivious to the camera, drumming out the rhythm with his hands on his blue-jeaned knees.
Sir Paul can also be heard on the first track of the tribute album, Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of SunRecords.
Order It:
USA United Kingdom Germany
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"Yeah, I think so. I feel like I've come through a difficult period, so I'm very pleased to find that (the rebound) has happened. Because there was a point where I wasn't sure how it would go, whether I'd go down (permanently). I had a very difficult period, but I'm very lucky to have -- praise the Lord -- come out of it. And, yes, I guess you could say I was reborn. Although if you write that down," he added with a mischievous chuckle, "they're all going to be writing to me: 'Paul! Have you read this? Have you read The Watchtower?' "How does Sir Paul feel about continuing to record and perform?
"As long as I fancy it, as long as people enjoy it, I'll carry on. I certainly enjoyed making this album, and all those (retirement) kind of issues just didn't enter into it, even once, for me. It's just something I really love to do; I'm surprised to find myself still enjoying it as much as when I started. I mean, that really is saying something, you know? But I love surprises, and I hope to continue being surprised -- in this way.Doe the new album not only announce that he is back, but that he is back with a vengeance?"Inasmuch as they are all original songs and I wanted to stretch it a little bit, keeping the same recording style, the same spontaneity, and not thinking about things endlessly, but just trying some other stuff. So we ended up putting a couple of things on the album that were definitely 'deep-end.' But it was a great album to make, and I really had a lot of fun. I enjoyed the swim."
"That's kind of how it's worked out. The thing I like about it, is that you can interpret it as saying not only 'I'm back, check it out,' but also: 'I'm a bass player.' It opens with solo bass -- doon doo doo doon do . . . I thought: 'That's kind of interesting; it's signaling that this is a bass player's album.' "The recording sessions began in February in Los Angeles, where 18 songs were cut in just two weeks with new three-man band: guitarist Rusty Anderson (formerly of Ednaswap and Animal Logic), drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. (who's played with Chocolate Genius and k.d. lang) and erstwhile Six Shooter keyboardist Gabe Dixon, the group's youngest member at 23. Sir Paul was was prepared to play all the instruments on the album himself if he didn't feel a good rapport with these musicians, but it proved not to be necessary:
"We soon -- immediately, really -- found a very good, easy working relationship. So it was great to work with the three young American guys, really cool. And, you know, I've got a lot of American relatives, so it's not unusual for me. My family is half-American, through Linda. My kids are half-American, and I'm here quite a lot. . . ."Really, the bottom line is: 'Do the people enjoy making music? And are they good at it?' It doesn't matter whether they're famous or not famous. So the process of making albums, I'm still actually very excited by it. And I surprise myself. Because some people say: 'Don't you get fed up? Haven't you made enough albums?' And it's like, 'I don't think so.'
"Actually, the same thing used to happen with the Beatles. Every time we came to make a new album, you'd think: 'I know how to do this.' And then you'd realize, you don't, because it's a new album. You knew how to make the last album, when you finished it. But you don't know how to make the next album. And that to me is very exciting. It means it's an open book. And it's exciting when those things happen, in life anyway. And when it's on an album you're making, you stand back at the end, and say: 'You know what? I just made an album.' And for me, that's cool."
At the beginning, Sir Paul's new bandmates claimed to be in
awe of him, so he had to work hard to put them at ease:
"With fame, your reputation obviously walks ahead of you. That's why, if I book reservations at a restaurant, often don't use my name. Because then everyone is standing around shaking, all the waiters are dropping dishes, you know. So what I do is, I just say: 'Oh, it's for so-and-so' (and give another name), and come in, and then they start dropping dishes. But they haven't got time to build it all up."So with musicians I'm a little bit aware of that. But these guys were pretty cool, actually. We'd sit around, have a cup of tea, have a little chat, and I'd just try and show them that I'm really, you know, one of them.
"And it is true, as well, that I don't come in with a gold cape and a retinue. It's just, like, me and my girlfriend will just show up. . . . It's good for us all. We all then know: 'Hey, you're not going to pull the big star bit.' And it puts it all on an equal footing, so I get more from them, and they have a better time with me."
Not content to rest on his laurels, Sir Paul is eager to
keep exploring:
"I try to teach myself to find out the bits I don't know about what I know. I think that's a good statement, yeah. I tell you, I call it 'a sense of wonder,' that I will just go in the studio in the morning with one idea in mind, and it can suddenly just change gears.Will there be a tour?"But I've always done that. You know, we did that with the Beatles. Suddenly, there's a better idea than mine on the table. And so instead of stamping my foot and going, 'No! We must have my idea,' I'd tend to swing and just go: 'Whoa, that's a good idea.' So, yeah, I like to do that."
"I don't know yet. There may well be a tour. I do things in sequence -- you make an album, then you do something like this (benefit) gig (in New York). And then I'll see if that says to me: 'Go on tour, young man.' "And if it does, I will say: 'Verily, I shall respond in like manner.' "(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul and Heather Mills made an appearance at the end of Ainsley Harriot's Celebrity Ready Steady Cook (BBC1, Friday).(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Is fame attractive?
"No. It helps with charity work but nothing else. Seek success, as this changes your life for the better, but never ever fame in the long term."What was her input in the creation of Sir Paul's Freedom single?
"Witnessing the twin towers disaster from an aeroplane at JFK airport, I knew immediately it was terrorism. The next day, after being glued to the TV for 24 hours, I suggested a concert would be a good idea. Paul jumped at the idea. Then I thought a track called Freedom specially for the concert, as President Bush and New York mayor Rudi Giuliani talked of freedom, would be a good idea too, so Paul wrote it and I helped arrange it. Voilà."Is the bombing of Afghanistan a necessary evil?
"The situation in Afghanistan, and the question of terrorism in general, is far too complex for me to analyse and give my full opinion on in a little paragraph or two. What I can say is that, whatever the rights and wrongs of a particular conflict, I strongly feel that innocent civilians should never be the victims."How does Heather remain positive?
"My mother lost her leg at the same age as me and went on to become a psychologist at the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital, which helped hundreds of people. If I hadn't lost my leg, I would never have had the public attention to help raise awareness about the disabled. This is enough to keep anyone positive."Will she still send Sir Paul a valentine when he's 64?
" I'll send Paul a valentine when he's 104 as he'll still be edible."What is Adopt- A-Minefield?
"Paul and I have adopted a minefield in Croatia for pounds 25,000 through Adopt- A-Minefield, a charity that raises funds to clear landmines and help people who have been injured by mines. I have spent many years fitting more than 27,000 war victims (or survivors as I like to call them) with artificial limbs. Yet every time I fit one, another five would suffer landmine injuries. This is when I became more involved than I already was by joining Adopt- A-Minefield and bringing it to the UK. You can help by checking out our website, www.landmines.org.uk."Based on her experience of pulling herself out of poverty, what advice does she have for poor students?
"Don't be snobby about what work you'll do. Getting on the first rung of the ladder is of the utmost importance. Many great people were once road sweepers and binmen."If she had it to do over again, would Heather try to prevent her accident?
"I wouldn't change my accident as the good has far outweighed the bad. It has without a doubt helped to slowly erase the stigma of disability. If that just means one person suffers for the gain of many, then so be it."What advice does Heather have for those who can still feel their amputated limb?
"It is actually a good thing your little sister can still "feel" her amputated limb - when she puts her prosthesis on, the sensation of her limb still being there will give her the confidence to bear down all the weight on her artificial leg. People can't even tell which of my legs is artificial because I still have those sensations and a comfortable, life-like limb. I fought for years to get the NHS to provide cosmetic limbs, and now they are; make sure you push for your sister to get one, or contact www.dorset-ortho.co.uk for a brochure. Make sure you tell her that confidence is everything in life, and with it she'll get whatever she wants."Now that she is with Sir Paul, how does she cope with living in such a public arena?
"I lived in the public arena for eight years prior to meeting Paul, though now it's worldwide. I always advise others in the same situation not to read trashy papers; then they can never be hurt by idle gossip written by people who give nothing back in life and envy those who do."What went through her mind when she witnessed the second tragic event in New York city, the plane crash in Queens?
"A feeling of immense sadness for the people on the plane and their families went through me, but I must say it was good news for the people of New York that it wasn't terrorism.Now that she has become vegetarian, does she plan to promote vegetarianism?"I witnessed the start of the war in Yugoslavia, then worked there while the war moved through the whole country. I visited India, which immediately had an earthquake that killed 100,000 people and created 8,000 amputees. Now I've helped all of those amputees to be fitted with a limb or limbs in some cases. I believe that it's fate and the reason I'm there is to help make a difference."
"I became a vegetarian when I lost my leg. Years later I changed back for a time (having read Eat Right For Your Blood Type) but felt so sluggish that I changed again. I promote it gently to my friends, who don't understand how I stay so slim. I say it's because my colon is not full of meat slowing my metabolism down. This tends to work better than shouting about the rights of the animals."What was the inspiration for Night of 1,000 Dinners and how can one get involved?
"We wanted to do something that everyone could get involved in. Everybody eats, and most people cook. So on 30 November you can help by having dinner for your family and friends and charging them for the privilege. Or maybe, if you're a bad cook, charging them for not cooking and ordering pizza instead. Recipes and a video from Paul and myself are available for free from the website (or by calling 020-7265 4945), including lots of fun suggestions for a themed evening. All the money will be pooled together to clear many minefields and to help the survivors of landmine accidents."What is Heather's favourite Beatles track?
"Having been brought up by a father who thought he was a reincarnation of Richard Wagner, my knowledge of the Beatles was very limited until recently. I suppose if I had to pick one, it would be Here, There and Everywhere because it has a beautiful melody, is well structured and I love the changes."What are her memories of her accident? Does she hold any bitterness?
"I had no bitterness towards the policeman until he sued me, one year after my accident, for anxiety, stress and loss of overtime. I never planned to sue until then, but I counter-sued and won in the end. I still lost a lot of money but won a standard for similar cases in the future. The sad thing was that, when I won, reporters who had previously supported me now wanted to do me harm because of my relationship with Paul."Is there anything that her prosthetic limb stops her from doing?
"No, I can ski, rollerblade, swim, dance and run better than most."
How does her public image square with her internal reality?
"Whatever reality, there's inevitably a gap because my private family and friends are the only people that truly know me, and they get extremely angry with some of the media, but it's only a small percentage. Most wish to make a difference too, and I believe in karma: what goes around, comes around."For more information about Adopt-A-Minefield and the Night of 1,000 Dinners, or to donate, contact 020-7265 4945 or info@landmines.org.uk
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
You now have the opportunity to listen to Sir Paul's November 15th Virgin Radio interview with Pete and Geoff. In last Thursday's thirty minute interview, posted in six parts on the Virgin Radio web site, Sir Paul answers questions, talks about his new album, Driving Rain, his website, and even plays the stylophone.
And that's not all ! You also have the opportunity to hear Sir Paul's November 19th interview with BBC Radio2's Steve Wright.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
The double CD album of the Concert for New York City will be released on November 27. Sir Paul appears on the last 4 tracks of disc 2 singing I'm Down, Yesterday, Let It Be, and Freedom.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
It has been eight years since Sir Paul has made an appearance on the BBC's Top Of The Pops. Sir Paul last appeared on the program in 1993 to promote his single C'Mon People. This week Sir Paul returns to the BBC Television Center studios to perform his Freedom single on Friday's show. He may also sing From A Lover To A Friend, since the Pops web site tells us that: "Apparently Sir Paul is just busting to let the Pops audience sample a taste of his tantalizing new track, even if he did record the song when he was half asleep! 'It was a rather, shall we say tired demo, but it had an intimate quality in the voice, so I tried to not clean up the record so much that I’d lose that lazy late-nightness,' said Paul."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Last week, Sir Paul and Ringo Starr paid an emotional visit to George Harrison at New York's Staten Island University Hospital where he was being treated for a brain tumor. The three surviving Beatles spent six hours chatting together and although George is said to be responding well to his treatments, it is reported that Sir Paul broke down in tears after the visit, overwhelmed by the sight of his old friend looking so frail and painfully thin. "Paul cried", a family friend reported. "Paul was amazed that George was able to sit up the whole time."Another friend reported, "George is responding well to therapy. His pain has completely abated. He's been able to get off all pain medicine and enjoy the company of his family and friends. His situation is still guarded, but his turn around has been dramatic." Even so, George's cancer is reported to be "widespread," and he is aware that he has entered the final stage of his life. "There is no way out," said the source. "The reason to treat him is to extend his life."
Last week it was revealed that Ringo Starr's 31-year-old daughter Lee Starkey has suffered a reoccurrence of a rare form of brain cancer called ependymoma. Three weeks ago, Ringo kept vigil at her bedside as she recovered from surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. A friend of Ringo's reports: "She's doing fine. She went back this week for radiation around the tumor area, but she's totally clean."
George, his wife, Olivia, and his son, Dhani, were spotted at the Newark, New Jersey Airport on Thursday, where they boarded a private jet believed to be headed for the West Coast. Ringo has returned to his home in Monte Carlo where is is monitoring both Lee's and George's condition by telephone. Sir Paul is also staying in touch with George. A few weeks ago, Sir Paul said: "I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and he seemed good. He's my lovely brother and we speak a lot."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Britain's Sunday Mirror reports that Heather Mills has indicated that she would like their marriage ceremony to be held at at Skibo, the historic Scottish castle where Madonna wed Ritchie last December. Sir Paul's friends report that he may like the idea. He loves Scotland and the castle location would offer the event a great deal of privacy.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
The critics are calling Driving Rain Sir Paul's best work in a decade. Responding to one reviewer who referred to the daunting legacy of his work with the Beatles, Sir Paul said, "The truth is, I should be daunted by it, but I'm not. I'm very fortunate in that respect."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Now that biographer Andrew Morton, (see November 7 below) has decided that he has something to add to what has already been written about Sir Paul by Hunter Davies, Philip Norman, Barry Miles and the Beatles themselves in the Beatles Anthology, the British newspaper, The Independent, reports that Sir Paul is concerned not so much about what will be written about him, but what might be revealed about his friends and his fiancée, Heather Mills. Andrew Morton, who considers himself to be a contemporary historian, a reputation for being a writer who has made his money snooping into subjects suitable only for trashy tabloids.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Britain's breakfast show, GMTV, canceled Monday's Driving Rain publicity chat between 33-year-old host Kate Garraway and Sir Paul after he reportedly rejected her for being "too old", claiming she wasn't right for his "youthful" image, and insisting that he be interviewed by "a 20-something with edge." GMTV responded by telling Sir Paul, "Forget it - the whole thing's off."Geoff Baker later explained that it was not Sir Paul at all, but rather an EMI record company representative who made the demands without Sir Paul's knowledge. Last night Sir Paul agreed to do the interview on Wednesday, however it will not be conducted by the devastated Ms. Garraway as she will be off filming in Africa.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul had been up in the city to promote his Driving Rain album and Freedom single, a song which has prompted some to suggest that he is the first Beatle to have supported a war. Sir Paul responded:
"Normally you're a pacifist and you don't want any kind of war at all, but occasionally something so atrocious happens there's gotta be some kind of response. I'd like to see the bombing stop but what are you gonna do, turn the other cheek? I don't think that is possible.And does this relate to the accounts of his childhood frog hunting published in his autobiography, Many Years From Now?"When I started getting into thinking like this it took me back to conversations we used to have in the Sixties. All the guys sitting round saying if there was a war we'd be pacifist. But I made one little disclaimer and said, 'But if Hitler was invading, and I had a family, I really would feel I have to do something.' I remember people thinking, 'Oh oh, stiffening of resolve here.' I knew it was true, deep in my veins.
"It's like we used to live with this thing every Christmas in London, where the IRA would say, 'We're doing a bombing campaign.' And we'd go, 'How irksome, I hope it doesn't hit me when I'm shopping.' After the New York attack, my attitude was like, screw you man, just screw you. I've got kids living in London. Are you gonna do a bombing campaign? How dare you? If you want to take my kids out - well, screw you. Come and talk about it, right in my face baby."
"The old tortured frog syndrome? You could be right. I didn't have to own up to that stuff - but in my tiny young mind, I knew why I had to do it. We fully expected to have to join the army and be made a man of - that was the phrase. We all dreaded National Service back then; luckily, with the advent of the Beatles, all of that ended - otherwise, those of us that would have been drafted, would not have had a band, no way.What does Sir Paul think of the recent easing of the marijuana law in the U.K.?"When I saw army training films of guys running into dummies and bayoneting them, I had a vivid enough imagination to go, OK, that's what I'm gonna have to do, run at a guy with a big sword and kill him.' I'd seen enough films to be terrified by that as a kid.
"The whole idea of the frogs was: let's practice! We'd go in the woods and get a frog; I thought, if I can't kill a bloody frog, I'll never be a man. It was a terrifying bloody thing. I say to people, 'Didn't you do that too?' And they go, 'Noooo, I was at Sunday school'."
"I think it's a good idea, but it just happens to coincide with a period when pot isn't something I do as much any more. Why is that? Because Heather doesn't. I don't want to be sitting there at a restaurant and say, 'Hey baby, I have to run to the bog and smoke a joint.' It just doesn't occur."With his new Driving Rain album, did Sir Paul deliberately set out to create songs that are raw, emotional, honest and soul baring?
"I dunno. That sounds true, but I'm just trying to write a song and it's not that easy. I do draw on things that seem important at that time. But it's like you have a dream: the minute you start analyzing it all this extra significance comes out. It's one of the reasons I love doing it: there's a mystery to it. And I've been involved in this amazing succession of mysteries."How did he feel about being chastised in John Lennon's song How Do You Sleep?
"I felt deep pain. Stick it in the jugular, why don't you, John. The funny thing is later I heard that he didn't write that line, that John, his manager Allen Klein and Yoko were sitting round together and someone came up with that line. But it was very painful, a bad period, there was a lot of deep messages in all the stuff we did then. I was really writing a lot of songs to John.While recording Driving Rain, Sir Paul attempted to recreate the working methods the Beatles used during their Rubber Soul and Revolver sessions:"Then I got this great story, in one of the last interviews John did, where he said this guy brought him a copy of Coming Up and he was, like, 'Bloody hell, Paul's on to something - better go back to work.' You better believe I love that story."
"That was the time I remember getting the best feeling of my recording career. By that stage we were young executives, we had the suits, the gear. We were hot."And then there were the bad times with the Beatles:
"That was the period when the term 'heavy' was coined. I remember Tony Bramwell of Apple came to a meeting we were having at Apple, and it was really intense: you could feel a weight in your soul just sitting there...Sir Paul also discussed his latest classical work, Ecce Cor Meum, which he began to write during Linda's illness. Although it was performed in Oxford last weekend, he claims it is still a work in progress and hopes to premiere the finished work next year:"But the Beatles thing, the more you review it, the more insane it gets. Those guys did a lot of shit. And I talk about them as if I wasn't in them. Checkpoint Charlie - bing! But it's beautiful, man, so intensely beautiful, magical for me. I'm like a fan, it's not like I can't hear what a fan hears. Sometimes I might get a little drunk, and I hear a moment in a song and I'm like, yesss! I try my whole life to get that note, because sometimes I think we were the only guys that never saw the Beatles."
"John used to say if you get to the edge of a cliff, throw yourself off. I'd say, 'Well no, John, you throw yourself off, and tell me how it is when you do, and then I might follow you.' That was John and me right there. But now I find myself accepting an offer to do something with the Liverpool Philharmonic, and then halfway through the sensible me kicks in and I think, this is pretty hard. A serious choral person asks, 'What text are you using?' I go, 'I'm doing my own.' Everyone else has used some obscure French medieval poet who has written great stuff, and I'm thinking I'll make it up. It's weird, it's like going off the edge of John's cliff at last."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul announced today that he is donating all proceeds from the on-line sales of his new tracks Freedom, From a Lover to a Friend, and From a Lover to a Friend (remix) to benefit the rescue workers and the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. This is an historic event in that this will be the first digital download released by a solo artist with proceeds going to charity. From November 13 through December 11, a 3-track digital download bundle can be purchased online for $3.99 through WindowsMedia.com, MSN Music, and Best Buy. These sites will also link you to some behind the scenes clips of Sir Paul from the all-star tribute "Concert for New York" which has thus far raised over $30 million.Dave Fester, general manager of the Digital Media Division at Microsoft stated today that:
"This download is a great way to offer millions of Paul McCartney fans an easy way to help victims of the terrorist attacks and a chance to hear music from his latest release. We're proud to be part of Paul McCartney's continued efforts to aid the WTC rescue workers and their families."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"I have quite a bit of time. You'd be surprised. I do these kinds of things, like this promotion stuff now, and I do quite a lot of it in one spurt, but then I've got the weekend off. I put spare time in. I'd have to or I'd just go mad."The other thing is, you know, I do like what I do. It's not really hard work for me. I love to paint. I love to write poetry. I love to make music. I mean, even talking to you is not a pressure."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"Oh Christ, not again. You thought bloody hell. It's a nightmare again. I'm out here to get behind this move to help America recover - that's what Freedom is all about. I'd gone out to do radio promotion for a couple of days. But coming in to land and looking out of the left hand side of the plane we could see masses of smoke rising up. They rushed everyone off the plane straight away and into the arrivals hall which was empty apart from FBI officers.The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson was a fellow passenger on this Concorde flight. Sir Paul and Heather had been at an awards ceremony in New York City with the Duchess of York on September 10 (see September 10 below) the day before the terrorists attacks. She is in New York to promote Wedgewood, for which she is the U.S. spokeswoman. Sir Paul said:"I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I looked out of the window as we taxied in and saw this giant plume of black smoke billowing everywhere. My first thought was it might be burning oil or some pollution thing. But then I quickly realized it was something more serious. It was like seeing the World Trade Center towers ablaze again. Terrible."
"I turned to Sarah when we were told it was another plane crash and just said: 'How weird is this? The last time I saw you was September 10 in New York, now this?' She was just like me - just kind of stunned at how it had happened again."The Duchess of York added in her account of the tragedy:
"It was like some appalling Groundhog Day. It was another clear blue sky in New York and all I could see from Concorde was this black smoke everywhere over the city again. I was with Paul and Heather on the plane and we realized the shocking coincidence of being together again around another terrible event so soon after the last one.Speaking from his new York apartment, Sir Paul said:
"It's just awful to think of so many people dying. My heart goes out to their poor families at this tragic time. We had had a really good flight and it felt great being back on Concorde again. Then I saw the smoke. We must have been one of the first planes to land after the crash, literally a minute later or something. I looked out to my left and saw it coming from the Queens area and I turned to Heather and a few other passengers who were looking and said: 'Do you think this something we should be worried about?' Obviously, in the current climate, the immediate concern was that it might be another disaster. We didn't really get worried until we got through to customs and found nobody there to check our passports or anything. We just stood there chatting for about 20 minutes wondering what the hell was happening until Heather overheard these two FBI guys saying the airport had been closed. Then we knew something big was going down. We began asking questions and airport staff eventually said another plane had crashed. We just stood there with Sarah and Hugh Grant, all of us just shaking our heads. To be honest we were keeping our fingers crossed, hoping and praying that it was not another terrorist attack by bin Laden. Obviously it was another terrible tragedy and many people had died. But it would be easier for everyone to know it was an accident and not a bomb."Sir Paul is in New York city to promote his charity recording Freedom:
"This city needs our help. It needs some serious morale boosting. I hope I can do my bit to raise money for those who died and those who are fighting for our freedom right now. America helped us in World War Two. They came to our aid against Hitler when we needed them. Now they need us."We have to get on with our lives, otherwise the terrorists will have won. This is another terrible shock, and another terrible blow to New York. But the city will recover, and we've got to help them."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"As Concorde was landing, the crash had just happened. I looked out of the left-hand side of the plane and there was smoke all over the place and I thought 'Oh God not again'. It was like the Trade Towers all again. It was a horrendous and tragic irony trying to raise money for the victims of the last crashes, and then something dreadful was happening all over again "However, these incidents have not put him off flying or visiting the United States. On the contrary, his resolve to help those affected by the terror strikes has been even more strengthened:
" That is why I wrote Freedom and that is why I am going to keep pushing it. I will not stop. I am just going to keep on going and keep at it. We have got to get behind America. That is why I have done this song. They need people to carry on coming here and I am determined to do all I can."Sir Paul said that the customs hall at JFK was practically deserted when he arrived. The FBI provided him with an escort to help him safely leave the airport. Sir Paul said he said he will say in New York and will press ahead with his plans to promote his new album.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
On Paul McCartney's homepage, a very nice Driving
Rain album sampler |
Sir Paul: "I'm taking a picture of you on my camera watch here, Larry."
Larry King: "What with your watch?"Sir Paul: "Look at that. Larry King Live! I was doing an interview with some guy and he was playing with one. I said 'What is that, a camera watch?' and I said 'Get me one'. And he did."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
American radio listeners will have something special to listen to during Thanksgiving week. Matt Hurwitz reports that MJI Broadcasting, in conjunction with MPL Communications, will present a two-hour behind-the-scenes look at Driving Rain. Sir Paul recently sat down with MJI's Director of Rock Programming and Specials, Sal Cirrincione, for a candid interview on the making of the album, life after Linda, Heather, his touring plans and much more. The program will air on radio stations across the United States from November 20th to the 25th.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Last summer, 15-year-old Lindsay Pagano was in a California recording studio working on her next album called Love & Faith & Inspiration with Jude Cole. It just so happened that Sir Paul was recording Maybe Baby at the same time and place. He heard Lindsey singing, sat in on a few of her sessions, then suggested that she cover his tune So Bad. The result is an enchanting rendition of the song, featuring Sir Paul himself on background vocals.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
First it was pulled from release so that Freedom could be added to the single. Now From A Lover To A Friend has been pulled from the soundtrack of Vanilla Sky to be replaced by a new Paul McCartney tune written especially for the film. The song will be available as the title track on the movie's soundtrack CD which will be released on Warner Brothers Records.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"I have always found inspiration in the calm beauty of Scotland and again it proved the place where I found inspiration. I just love the country. Tiny Bubble was just a stream of consciousness, saying all the world's a tiny bubble. It started a bit more ballady, but as happened with a a few of the songs when you bring them to a band - with a drummer - they hip up a bit."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Oxford student and presidential daughter, Chelsea Clinton, attended last evening's premiere of Sir Paul's Ecce Cor Meum and was greeted with a kiss by the composer himself.
This must have brought some comfort to Chelsea who says she has been feeling homesick and isolated after joining the university this year to pursue a post graduate course in international relations.Reporters used the occasion to ask Sir Paul about the condition of George Harrison's health. His reply, "You probably know as much as I do." What we do know from a Staten Island University Hospital source is that George is showing signs of improvement after receiving radical radiotherapy. A hospital source reported: "It is accurate to say that this client is improving. His prognosis is still guarded but not as grim as when he was admitted. He was gravely ill, but he is now well enough to continue treatment as an outpatient."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"When you are married and have a family, it's completely different starting a relationship and Heather and I had to be really sensitive to their feelings. I'd seen Heather and I talked to the kids and said, 'How would you feel if I started getting feelings for another woman?' It was a hypothetical question. They said they wouldn't mind as long as I was happy and were really nice about it and I needed them to say that. But even so, we still had to be sensitive and we were a secret for a while. After that, we tried not to do anything that would make them feel bad and Heather did a great job of that, but at first it was difficult. They were used to seeing me driving up in a car with my wife - their mum - and now I was with another woman. But we worked through it very slowly and tried to be very positive and tried to take into account everyone's feelings, including our own and managed to get through it and it's got much better."Sir Paul admitted that the Driving Rain songs he wrote for Heather were difficult for him to play for his children, saying, "I felt a bit guilty, because it was like 'Oh my God, I can't play this to the kids." Still, he has no regrets about Heather: "Falling in love with her has been great and very exciting. You're lucky to know that once in a lifetime - twice is amazing."
Following Linda's death, music was both a release and a
therapy for him:
"'When she died, it was a case of waiting to see if I would want to write at all. For a few months I was grieving and I didn't do anything. Then after a while I started to think, 'Yes', because I love music a lot. Then I found myself at home on the piano, writing some quite sad songs. I liked them and I tried one out for the new album, but it didn't quite work out.In another interview with Q magazine, Sir Paul revealed that around 1968 he binged on cocaine for a year before Linda persuaded him to stop:"Towards the end of the year that Linda died, I wrote a song called Magic, about the night I first met her. It was a much more positive song and I've included it on the album - and I started to think then that I might be able to get back into it.
"I realized I had turned a corner with that song, because I suddenly thought, 'I'm really proud to have known someone as beautiful as Linda for 30 years', instead of thinking, 'Oh, we only had 30 years together'. Some people are together forever and don't have as good a relationship.
"I didn't know if I was ever going to want a relationship again. I remember thinking I might get really monkish and never find anyone who matches up. There was that feeling, plus the worry and the guilt, thinking it was a betrayal of Linda in some way. But having gone through that and, as Linda would have said, beaten myself with a soggy noodle, I realized that wasn't how it was going to be and when I saw Heather I really fancied her. I was a bit shocked to find I was normal, but felt I had turned another corner. If Linda were here she'd have been after me with a big rolling pin, but I think she'd want me to be happy. That was the sort of love we had.
"I've had my sadness - my mum died when I was young and Linda died, but life changes direction whether you like it or not. Linda and I thoroughly expected to be a little retired couple sitting on the porch. We all hope for that, but we had this tragedy that meant it wasn't to be. My life changed that day, but I do try to look at things positively and Heather is very good that way. She believes that things happen for a reason. She wouldn't have been at that awards ceremony if it wasn't for her accident and we would never have met."
"I was lucky to have Linda, because she did ground me. There were certain things I was going off on that she could pull me back from. Linda would say, 'Are you sure you want to do that tonight?' And I'd go, 'Oh, there's an alternative?' She reminded me there was this real life there that I liked a lot."(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
"Some people I've talked to thought it might be kind of a somber album, a missing you kind of album, but I found when I wrote one or two pieces with Linda in mind that I wanted to remember the good things, the positive. I'm not a very pessimistic person about things. I always try and rationalize things. I try to find a positive side. Even something bad, I will think, 'This might have happened for a reason.' You don't always know the reason, but I will try to find it.VH1 executive Bill Flanagan, author of a book about song writing, Written in My Soul, says:"I think if you're happy making a record, then it shows. For many years, I preferred to think that it doesn't. You could be in the studio having a bad time and still make an OK record. But in some ways, I think this stuff leaks off the
record into the homes of the buyers."I went through a phase of thinking, 'what would they like, or what would the critics like, What, critically, would be judged the perfect thing for me to do now?' I found out that not only did I not like it, the critics didn't even like it. I basically write now for myself, because I figure if I like it, there's a good chance that somebody else might.
"One of the things that began when we were doing Run Devil Run was me remembering that I'm the bass player. It's simple and satisfying. I sing and I play bass."
"This album is about picking up and carrying on. But I don't think it's, 'all I have to do is whistle. He's carrying on with the full burden of what he's been through. If you go a little bit under the surface, the themes of redemption and perseverance are running through these songs."I love the guy when he's playing with some wildness and it's not too polished. You feel like you're catching these songs as they're being created, not reworking something that's been gone over and over."
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Columbia Records has announced that they plan to release the double CD of the October 20 Madison Square Garden concert on November 27 with a suggested list price of $24.98 with net proceeds going to the Robin Hood Relief Fund to benefit the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. No date has been announced for the DVD/VHS releases.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
Sir Paul's latest classical work, Ecce cor Meum ( Behold My Heart), a 45 minute oratorio for choir and chamber orchestra, will receive its public premiere tomorrow in a "preview" performed by the Magdalen College Choir at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford.(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
