Tag: Paul McCartney (21-30 of 36)

Dec 29 2010 11:22 AM ET

Kennedy Center Honors recognize Merle Haggard, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, more: Watch here

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kennedy-center-awardsImage Credit: John Paul Filo/ CBSThis year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients are an illustrious bunch, including country legend Merle Haggard, Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Broadway composer Jerry Herman, and choreographer Bill T. Jones. Earlier this month they gathered in the nation’s capital for a gala ceremony that aired last night on CBS.

The show included lots of A-list performances as usual. Among them were Jennifer Hudson singing a song from The Color Purple for Winfrey, No Doubt rocking “Penny Lane” for McCartney, Mavis Staples and James Taylor topping that with a “Let It Be”/”Hey Jude” double-whammy, and country heavyweights like Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Miranda Lambert all tipping their hats to Haggard. Other highlights were humbler in scale, like when Alec Baldwin gave McCartney a wry spoken introduction.

Check out Baldwin’s speech after the jump (note that the clip will auto-play) and let us know: Did you watch the Kennedy Center Honors on TV last night? Which were your favorite parts? READ FULL STORY »

Dec 14 2010 10:00 AM ET

Paul McCartney plays NYC's Apollo Theater for Sirius XM: 'I dreamed of playing here for many a year'

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Paul-McCartneyImage Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.comPaul McCartney loves to perform. This was evident in every minute of the concert he played last night at Harlem’s storied Apollo Theater to celebrate Sirius XM satellite radio reaching 20 million subscribers. And while he seems to enjoy performing most anywhere and everywhere lately, he was even happier than usual to be at this particular venue. “It’s the Holy Grail,” he told the crowd, which was made up mostly of lucky Sirius XM subscribers. “I dreamed of playing here for many a year.”

Thus began a two-hour tour of McCartney’s incredible back catalog (Beatles and solo years both included). He was in much stronger voice throughout than he was on Saturday Night Live last weekend, and his backing band was in better form, too. Lighthearted quips abounded in between numbers. “Here’s a newer song,” Macca joked before 1963′s “All My Loving.” After that he played “One After 909,” one of the first songs he and John Lennon ever wrote together. As has become usual for McCartney’s live show, this was a nostalgia trip, and a very fine one.

Highlights from the evening included the passage when McCartney switched from electric bass to acoustic guitar for 1965′s “I’m Looking Through You” and 1964′s “And I Love Her,” two personal favorites of mine. Or maybe the best part was when he paid tribute to the Apollo’s history by covering Marvin Gaye’s “Hitch Hike,” complete with shimmying backup dancers — taking it from the top with even more vim after a burst of unintended feedback mussed up his first take. Or was it when he led the audience in a chorus of “Hey Jude” na-na-na-nas? With a full set plus two encores, there were too many stand-outs to list.

Did you tune in to Sirius XM to hear the concert’s live broadcast over satellite radio? Or were you one of the fans in attendance? Let us know what your favorite parts of the show were if so.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)

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Dec 13 2010 11:33 AM ET

Paul McCartney's divisive 'Saturday Night Live' performance: Why you should cut him some slack

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Paul-McCartneyImage Credit: Dana Edelson/NBCPaul McCartney got way more screen time on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live than your average musical guest. In addition to very funny turns on “Weekend Update” and a digital short, the former Beatle performed “Jet” and “Band on the Run” (from the recently reissued Band on the Run album), “A Day in the Life” leading into John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance,” and “Get Back” to close the show. So how did he do?

Opinions are divided here at EW headquarters. Most everyone agrees that the sound mix was up (or down) to SNL‘s usual muddy standard, making it difficult at times to hear Macca’s voice over his backing band. Even when he was fully audible, though, some are complaining that he seemed a little hoarse.

To which I say, so what? The man turns 70 the summer after next. Of course his vocal cords aren’t quite as limber as they were in 1966. It’s still a pleasure to see him rocking out as enthusiastically as he did on Saturday night. He was having fun up there running through some all-time classic tunes, which made it a fun show to watch from home. And the “A Day in the Life”/”Give Peace a Chance” medley was just right, a tribute to a late friend that was touching without being heavy-handed.

Over to you now. What did you think of McCartney’s SNL performance? Sound off in the comments.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)

More from EW.com:
Ken Tucker’s Saturday Night Live recap
Ringo Starr’s 70th birthday concert: Guests galore, and Paul McCartney, too

Aug 30 2010 09:19 AM ET

Paul McCartney guests on new song from Travis frontman Fran Healy: An EW exclusive stream

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Fran-Healey-McCartneyImage Credit: Fran Healy Kristian Dowling/Getty Images) – JulySometimes a cigar is just a cigar. But sometimes—like, say, when your guest bass player is a Beatle—it’s worth talking about.

Fran Healy, leader of ’90s Scot-rock champions Travis, called on old friend Macca to contribute to his first solo album, Wreckorder. McCartney agreed—and a grateful Healy, prid quo pro, subsequently promised to go vegetarian.

You can here the result of their collaboration below, and pre-order the single here: READ FULL STORY »

Jul 28 2010 09:35 PM ET

Paul McCartney 'In Performance at the White House': An all-star presidential rock show

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Obama-Paul-MccarteneyImage Credit: Samantha Appleton/White House/PBS“I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but never this,” Paul McCartney said on PBS tonight. “This” was traveling to the White House, which he did last month to accept the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. A properly all-star concert was convened to befit the occasion, and while bits and pieces of the event have leaked out on YouTube since then, tonight the whole thing (or most of it) aired as part of PBS’ “In Performance at the White House” series.

The show opened with some stirring words from President Obama. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly half a century since four lads from Liverpool landed on our shores and changed everything overnight,” he reflected. Then it was time for a cavalcade of stars old and young to pay homage to the voluminous back catalog that earned McCartney this honor. READ FULL STORY »

Jul 8 2010 12:04 PM ET

Ringo Starr's 70th birthday concert: Guests galore, and Paul McCartney, too!

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Ringo-Starrs-70th-birthdayImage Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.comThe cake had been served, the candles had been blown out, and Ringo Starr had all but told the sold-out crowd at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall to go home, but the most exciting part of his 70th birthday show last night was still to come. That was the exact moment, right around 10 p.m., that none other than Paul McCartney bounded on stage in his skinny tie and fitted suit. The art-deco hall filled with 1964-style squeals as Sir Paul tore through the Beatles’ “Birthday” with the wild-eyed drive of someone decades younger.

McCartney’s unannounced appearance was the perfect end to an evening of festive collaboration. Ringo calls his touring act the All-Starr Band for a reason: They’re all handpicked veterans of bands from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. In between his solo hits (“Photograph,” “It Don’t Come Easy”) and Beatles classics (“Yellow Submarine,” “Act Naturally,” “Boys”), he gave each of his bandmates ample time to demonstrate their own claims to fame. Keyboardist/saxophonist Edgar Winter led electrifying renditions of “Frankenstein” and “Free Ride.” Guitarist Rick Derringer of the McCoys rocked “Hang On Sloopy.” The Romantics’ Wally Palmar told us “What I Like About You.” Mr. Mister’s Richard Page spread his “Broken Wings.” Gary Wright crooned “Dreamweaver,” which he said was inspired by a book on Eastern philosophy that George Harrison once gave him. (“George Harrison never gave me no damn book,” cracked Ringo.) I’m not sure I’d sit through an entire concert by any of those guys’ original groups, but seeing them run through their hits with Ringo was fun — a classic-rock radio revue with one of history’s greatest beat-keepers behind the kit. Starr himself was as energetic as any 70-year-old I’ve ever encountered, grooving gamely at front stage or drumming with that familiar head-bobbing enthusiasm. READ FULL STORY »

Jun 3 2010 04:38 PM ET

President Obama joins 'Hey Jude' singalong at the White House

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barack-paulImage Credit: YURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty ImagesPaul McCartney’s performance at the White House last night turned into an all-star jam session — and a presidential one, at that. He was there to accept the third ever Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which has previously been awarded to Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder. The New York Times has a full run-down of Macca’s set, which included singing “Michelle” to First Lady Michelle Obama (cute!), along with several other Beatles and solo hits.

Perhaps the best part of all came when McCartney closed the show with “Hey Jude,” accompanied by many of the other artists who had paid tribute to him during the evening. The line-up included, among others, Elvis Costello, Jack White, Emmylou Harris, Dave Grohl, Herbie Hancock, Faith Hill, Jerry Seinfeld (?!), and President Barack Obama himself. Hit the jump to see the leader of the free world getting into the spirit with a few enthusiastic na-na-na-nas. (Clip via Pitchfork.)

Some critics seem to find Obama’s participation in the singalong unbefitting of his office, but come on. Who among us could resist singing along to the end of “Hey Jude” when Sir Paul himself is in the building? Certainly not I.

READ FULL STORY »

Jan 12 2010 12:11 PM ET

'Yellow Submarine' casting rumors: Darth Maul IS Paul McCartney?

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According to the Hollywood Reporter, a quartet of actors are in negotiations to portray The Beatles in director Robert Zemeckis’ planned 3D remake of the 1968 film Yellow Submarine. The four thespians are Princess Bride star Cary Elwes who is apparently in the frame to impersonate George Harrison, Dean Lennox Kelly from the UK dramedy Shameless who will tackle John Lennon, Epic Movie actor Adam Campbell who will negotiate Ringo’s nasal vowels, and Peter Serafinowicz who will take on Paul McCartney. Serafinowicz’s credits include Shaun of the Dead, Couple’s Retreat, and the fantastic fake science show Look Around You, though there is a strong possibility that the words “He was the voice of Darth Maul” may appear on the Brit actor’s gravestone.

All in all, that seems like a line-up capable of handling the Fab Four’s Liverpudlian twang. They’re all Brits and Serafinowicz, in particular, is an accent master and Liverpool-raised to boot. Meanwhile, anyone crying “Foul!” over the idea of people impersonating John, Paul, George and Ringo, may care to note that the Beatles’ animated avatars in the original movie were also voiced by actors, with the Beatles themselves only contributing to a live action sequence at the end (see below).

Are you a big fan of the original movie? What do you think of these rumored casting choices? All together now!

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

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Flea, ZZ Top, and Andrew WK’s reworking of ‘The Simpsons’ theme song: Best cover of a TV show song ever?
‘Badder Romance’: Watch the Lady Gaga-approved YouTube spoof
Ke$ha: Could she be 2010’s Gaga?

Photo Credit: Everett Collection

Sep 30 2009 12:19 PM ET

Paul McCartney to document Citi Field shows with 'Good Evening New York City'

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Paul McCartney was having a pretty cool 2009 even before the latest wave of Beatlemania kicked in early this month. Perhaps you recall his three-night stand at NYC’s newly built Citi Field this summer, echoing the Beatles’ historic 1965 gig at the demolished Shea Stadium next door? I know I do — I was there for the first show on July 17 (pictured), easily one of the most fun concerts I’ve seen in the past few years.

Whether you attended one of those dates or just wished you could, you’ll have a chance to re-live them when McCartney releases Good Evening New York City through Starbucks’ Hear Music on Nov. 17. The live album, culled from footage of all three Citi Field shows, will be available both as a 2-CD/1-DVD set or a deluxe 2-CD/2-DVD package which will also include McCartney’s July 15 outdoor performance for The Late Show. The compilers had plenty of material to work with: Those Citi Field shows were marathons, drawing heavily on McCartney’s Beatles years for set lists that stretched to nearly three hours each night. Though I haven’t heard or seen the finished product, I feel safe saying that if you’re a Macca fan, you might want to pick one of these up with your pre-Thanksgiving latte.

Anyone else looking forward to Good Evening New York City? If you’ve witnessed McCartney in concert this year, which songs are you most excited about seeing/hearing again?

More from EW’s Music Mix:
Paul McCartney gives Citi Field a first show for the ages
Paul McCartney: The exclusive EW Q&A
Chris Brown, “I Can Transform Ya”: Are you ready to hear this?
Amy Winehouse rapping: How many seconds can you stand?

Photo credit: Kevin Mazur

Sep 9 2009 02:22 PM ET

'The Beatles: Rock Band' is out today: Harmonix boss Alex Rigopulos gives us the scoop on working with Sir Paul and NOT being given hell by Yoko

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beatles-rock-band-Rigopulos_lIt was 30 years ago today that Alex Rigopulos, co-founder of the video game company Harmonix, first heard the Beatles play. Well, roughly. “I think I was around 7 or 8 when I discovered my first Beatles album, which was Sgt. Pepper,” says Rigopulos, 39. “It was really the first rock album that meant anything to me. For as long as we’ve been making music games, the prospect of working in some capacity with the Beatles material has been looming out there on the horizon as a dream project.” That dream is now a reality. As observant EW readers will be aware, the MTV-owned Harmonix is today releasing The Beatles: Rock Band, the latest in its line of hugely successfully Rock Band games.

After the jump, Rigopulos reveals all about the “nerve-wracking” development of this season’s essential video game.

READ FULL STORY »

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