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 Wings Over America (2013 Remaster) |
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At this evening's Grammy award ceremony, the Beatles were presented with the President's Award in recognition of the 40th anniversary of their first appearance on American television on the Ed Sullivan Show. Sir Paul and Ringo Starr appeared at the event via a video link from London. Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono were present at the event to accept the awards on behalf of their husbands.
Olivia was the first to address the audience saying:
"It's an honor to be here for George. Forty-one years ago George made a solo trip to the United States. On his return to England, he said: 'They have everything over there. Why do they need us?'"
Olivia went on to say the America did indeed need the Beatles as "mystical messengers of peace, love and higher consciousness." She ended saying:
"The love you take is equal to the love you make. I love you, George."
Next, Yoko Ono took the stage to accept the award on behalf of John Lennon. Fighting back tears, she told the audience that if John were still alive he would tell them:
"Say it again - come together, give peace a chance and love is all we need.'"
Accepting the award in a recorded message, Ringo Starr said:
"When we arrived in New York it was the most exciting day of my life. A lot of water has run under the bridge since we first did the Ed Sullivan Show, but we're still here and we still love you."
Sir Paul thanked the Grammy voters, saying:
"It's a fantastic award and a great honor for us."
Then, playing the guitar he used on the February 9, 1964 Ed Sullivan Show , he sang a few bars of Yesterday.
(kindly submitted by PLUGGED correspondent Joan M. Hopkins)
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