Paul McCartney Latest News July

Dec. 22: Standing Stone on U.K. TV

Just to remind the readers from the United Kingdom: (this information according to Good Day Sunshine Magazine)

Dec. 15: Beautiful Night Single out now

In the United Kingdom, there's also a 2nd version. The vinyl picture disc was not available yet but will probably be next week.
Beautiful Night is not released in the United States.

Dec. 07: Miscellaneous

Hey Prude? - full frontal nudity in Beatiful Night video
There's a lot of discussion on the video to Paul's next single "Beautiful Night.", to be released on December 15 (not in the USA, it seems). It premiered at the Oprah Winfrey show on November 24. The UK premiere was Saturday December 6 on the Chart Show. So far - so good!

Towards the end, the video contains a scene of a nude couple, swimming in the River Mersey. According to reports, it contains "full frontal nudity" which had to be edited out in part for broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey show.

TV stations all said they will not air this video unedited, so Paul decided to edit it himself (before others do it).

The December 1997 Beatles Monthly Book (official Beatles Fan Club in England) reports:

Q Magazine
The current edition of the UK Q Magazine (which is sold in the US, too, for example at Borders) had the Q&A session to which internet users could submit their questions. Members of the internet newsgroups and mailing lists will certainly recognise several familar names! This magazine also includes photos of Paul at the Q Awards (November 4th). Paul received the title "Composer of the Year" but left the event early in protest, because Phil Spector received a life-time award. It was Phil Spector who ruined the Let It Be album with his production.

Paul on TV - summary
Standing Stone (Royal Albert Hall) was shown on A&E at 10pm and 1am ET on Nov. 23rd. At 9am the same day The Making of Standing Stone was aired

Paul was on Oprah on Nov. 24, and it included the world premiere of the "Beautiful Night" video. There will be be a repeat on December 19, but "Little Willow" will be shown instead.

Paul McCartney's Town Hall Meeting was repeated on VH1 (USA) on November 25, 10pm ET, and there will again be aired on Sunday December 14th, 4:30pm ET.

Paul was on November 26's edition of Hard Copy. This was in reference to the RADD (Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving) video he's made using "Drive My Car." Paul was featured in a 30-second spot he's done for RADD saying "You can't drive my car or anyone else's if you've been drinking." The week before at Carnegie Hall, RADD chairman David Niven Jr. and president Erin Meluso presented Paul with 1997's Founder's Award. Niven commented McCartney for his appearance and helping arrange for RADD to use "Drive My Car" for non-profit use as RADD's anthem.

VH1 (USA) had a very Beatle-y programming on Thanksgiving (27 November). Notable is the first-ever US broadcast of the unedited The Making of Sgt. Pepper - previously, the segment discussing drugs was cut out. They also showed Magical Mystery Tour and George Harrison & Ravi Shankar - Yin and Yang.

PBS premiered the David Frost Show, interviewing Paul McCartney, on Friday November 28. However, the actual broadcasting date is different throughout the States, and some are still waiting to see it or it is not yet determined if it will be shown there at all. For instance, the Chicago area "might get to see it in January or February", according to a PBS spokesman. In the meanwhile, this interview was also shown in the U.K. Taping of this interview took place in MPL's London office some time ago, and it took two hours.

Nov. 24: Paul on Oprah Winfrey Show today

Paul McCartney will be guest on the Oprah Winfrey show this Monday. It was pre-taped in New York last week (20th November). The entire show will be devoted to Paul, and he will perform two songs, as well as present his two latest videos "Beautiful Night" (upcoming single) and "Little Willow" (on upcoming Diana tribute album). DON'T MISS IT!
The video of "Beautiful Night" was described at "raunchy, and the best he's ever done" by Geoff Baker, McCartney's publicist. Indeed, we've read from fellow Macca-L members who attended the taping in the audience, only 10 feet from Paul: The video is reported to be totally different from anything he's ever done, and extremely well done. "Little Willow", however, is very touching, and brought tears into most of the audience's eyes.

European readers: German women's channel "TM3" airs the Oprah Winfrey Show every night. At this moment, I don't know how far we're behind in the schedule. TM3 can be freely received throughout Europe via the ASTRA satellite system (19.2 deg. east).

Nov. 13: Standing Stone Live Webcast from Carnegie Hall

Nov. 6: Beautiful Night - FULL details

Again, this valuable information is from the Dutch Paul McCartney Fanclub (Simon van der Peet), who got their information from EMI Holland directly.

Nov. 4: Beautiful Night single - details

Nov. 2: Miscellaneous

Diana tribute album
This double CD is set for release on December 1st. Paul's contribution is "Little Willow." Reportedly, a video has been made for Little Willow.

Oct. 28: Miscellaneous

Paul will be on Oprah on November 24 +++ He will perform 4 songs +++ Show will be taped in New York on November 20+++ Standing Stone also went to the No. 1 spot in the U.K., is still No.1 in the USA+++3rd Single "Beautiful Night to be released December 01+++Will contain Oobu Joobu Part 5, solely devoted to Beautiful Night+++comes with the 1987 version of Beautiful Night+++Love Come Tumbling Down will be B-side+++Both are from 1987 Phil Ramone-produced sessions and were circulating on tape+++(Many thanks to the Dutch Paul McCartney Fanclub for the information on the single)

Oct. 20: Many Years From Now

Oct. 16: HMV signing - 2,000 fans were waiting

Oct. 15: Stella Mac's first fashion presentation at Chloe's, Paris

Oct. 14: Standing Stone World Premiere at the Royal Albert Hall

What a beautiful night! And it was a huge success. And we got to see Linda's first public appearance since you know when. And thanks to Classic FM, we could hear the premiere on Real Audio, preceeded by excerpts from the Liverpool Oratorio, A Leaf and a special Paul interview. The Real Audio broadcast actually worked quite well.
The BBC videotaped the whole performance. It will be aired in U.S. A&E channel sometime in November.

There was a lot of footage on various TV magazines, and most papers had something today.

Oct. 11: Paul to sign albums

Oct. 09: Miscellaneous

Standing Stone big success
In the U.S.A., Standing Stone entered the Classic Charts at #1, and remains in the No.1 spot in its second week.

Standing Stone TV broadcast
The BBC will record the premiere, and it will be shown in the USA on the A&E cable channel in November. A "Making of Standing Stone" documentary is also to be shown.

Biography Many Years From Now postponed in the U.S.A
This excellent biography has been released in the United Kingdom this Monday, however apart from a handful of promotional copies, it has not gone on sale in the U.S.A. yet. According to Steve Marinucci, the release has been postponed to November, there. However, in the week starting on October 20th, it actually went on sale throughout the USA. (thanks, Steve!)

Montserrat Concert airs on German Radio
German public radio station "WDR2" will air the concert this coming Sunday at 8 p.m., German time. WDR2 can be received over the ASTRA satellites throughout Europe.

Teletext updates
In case you've missed it - 35 teletext articles were added to Maccatext News 6, and 16 articles have been added to Beatletext News 10. As usual, the English translations will be added as soon as I manage.

Flaming Pie Singles
Although promos were sent to US radio stations, and the video got some airplay, Young Boy was not released as a single in the USA.
According to Beatles Monthly Book, Beautiful Night will be the next (European, USA?) single and is scheduled for release in time for Christmas.

Sep. 29: Paul in the news; first Montserrat bootleg

Sept 29: Excerpt from forthcoming biography reveals Paul was close to a nervous breakdown after the Beatles had split.

Sept 25: Paul, Cannabis and misquotes
Reuters reported that Paul "called for the legalisation of cannabis."

In fact, Paul said to the New Statesman magazine: "I support the decriminalisation (of cannabis). People are smoking pot anyway and to make them criminal is wrong." In his opinion, it was pointless to fill jails with people who smoke cannabis because this would very likely turn them into criminals.

Paul was arrested for 9 days for possessing marijuana in Japan in 1980 - and he said that he learned nothing from it. "When I was jailed in Japan for having pot there was no attempt at rehabilitation. They just stuck me in a box for nine days. Decriminalisation would take the sting out of the issue."
Paul's comments were not very well received. Paul's forthcoming biography, "Many Years From Now", will probably report about this 1980 incident in great detail.

In the same interview, Paul criticised Oasis as "being derivative, and too full of themselves". Publicist Baker later issued a statement saying reports that McCartney had attacked Oasis were incorrect. "Paul McCartney also made it plain that he saw no rivalry between the Beatles and Oasis, and there was room for them all."

Sept. 23: First Montserrat bootleg CD
It was only broadcast on Pay Per View last Saturday (Sept. 20), and today this CD was already seen in some U.S. CD store:

Paul McCartney/Friends: Montserrat '97 (available for members only!)

Sep. 23: Standing Stone CD released

The disc comes in a slip case, along with a great 48-page booklet, with photos by Linda McCartney, photos from the recording session at Abbey Road and paintings by Paul.
Apparently, this CD was released on September 23rd in the USA, and on September 29 elsewhere.
(Thanks to Matt Hurwitz for the scan, and to Simon v.d.Peet for the track listing)

Sep. 15: Montserrat Concert

Well, most of us haven't seen anything or too much of it yet.
Lots of famous artists, all of them had recorded in George Martin's Montserrat studios, were performing at this concert: Arrow, Carl Perkins, Jimmy Buffet, Phil Collins, Sting, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Midge Ure, The London Gospel Choir - and of course Sir Paul McCartney (who seemed to have yet another new, short haircut). Robbie McIntosh and Wix (from Paul's 1989/1993 band) were playing in the band. No sign of Linda (not even in the audience).

After George Martin had introduced him, Paul performed Yesterday alone with his guitar.
Then the last part of the "Abbey Road Medley" was played - from Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight to The End. Paul started on piano but changed to guitar later. The triple-guitar solo of "The End" was performed by Eric Clapton, Robbie McIntosh and Mark Knopfler. Then Paul left stage and returned to play Hey Jude. Then it seemed to be over but the audience screamed like mad and Paul came back to sing Kansas City. This seemed like it was not intended in the programme. Paul didn't play any instrument during this song.

CNN showed portions of "Kansas City". They have some nice coverage incl. video at their website http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ.

http://www.rockontv.com confirms that the Montserrat Pay Per View concert will be aired this Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8:00 PM

Macca-Central http://macca.inter-pc.com has lots of stills and videos (Real Video format) so check it out!

Sep. 14: Paul, Mick Jagger and Drugs ...

There are many revelations in the ex-Beatle's new authorized biography, Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, written by Barry Miles. The56-year-old musician reminisces about how he was "turned on to pot" by Bob Dylan in a New York hotel room in 1964. Two years later in London, he gave Rolling Stone Mick Jagger his first joint. "Funny," said McCartney, who was once known as the "cute" Beatle, "because everyone would have thought it would have been the other way 'round." The book will be out in October.

Sep. 09: Diana Benefit Album / Derek Taylor dead

In honor of Princess Diana, ten world-famous rock stars will record an album for Christmas.
According to British millionaire Richard Branson (boss of Virgin Records), Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel and Eric Clapton will record for this album. It will also contain the new version of Elton John's hit "Candle In The Wind." Luciano Pavarotti and Sting have not confirmed yet.

All proceeds of the album, estimated to be 10 million Pounds by Branson, will go to the Diana Memorial Fund. "The artists are trying to create the most moving album ever - an album of which the whole music industry can be proud" said Branson. He had contacted the musicians immediately after the death of the Princess and found spontaneous approval.

For next year, simultaneous benefit concerts are planned in London, Paris and New York, and the stars from the Diana album will perform their works, there.

DEREK TAYLOR, The Beatles' friend and Press Officer across a span of 30 years, has died at his home in Suffolk after a long illness. He was 65.

Derek Taylor was born in Liverpool on May 7, 1932. He was educated in the city and became a journliast for "The Hoylake and West Kirby Advertiser" before joining "The Liverpool Daily Post & Echo." In 1962, he became the showbusiness correspondent for the northern edition of "The Daily Express," based in Manchester.

In 1958 he married Joan Doughty in Bebington, The Wirral.

On May 30th, 1963, Derek covered The Beatles' concert at The Manchester Odeon. In his review in "the Daily Express" the next day he wrote: "The Liverpool Sound came to Manchester last night, and I thought it was magnificent. . . The spectable of these fresh, cheeky, sharp, young entertainers in apposition to the shiny-eyed teenage idolaters is as good as a rejuvenating drug for the jaded adult."

Following a number of subsequent exclusive interviews and reports on The Beatles, Derek developed a close relationship with the group, ghosting a weekly column by George for the "Express," and then ghosting Brian Epstein's biography, "A Cellarful Of Noise."

In April 1964, Derek became Brian Epstein's personal assistant and scriptwriter and The Beatles' Press Officer. He traveled with The Beatles on their world tour of 1964, and then resigned and moved to California, where - as a publicist - he represented The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Captain Beefheart, Paul Revere and The Raiders and co-founded the Monterey International Pop Music Festival of 1967.

In 1968, with the institution of Apple Corps, Derek returned to England with his wife Joan and their children to become The Beatles' Press Officer, casually establishing his legendary press "salon" at the Apple building in Saville Row, from where he befriended all comers and addressed the world until the break-up of The Beatles in 1970.

Derek then joined Warner, Elektra and Atlantic Records, rising to vice president at Warner Brothers in America by 1977. During this period, he produced albums by George Melly, John Le Mesurier and Harry Nilsson.

In 1978, he left Warner Bros to become a writer. Derek wrote and consulted on numerous books, among them George Harrison's biography, "I, Me, Mine" and Michelle Phillips' "California Dreamin'," and his own works, including "As Time Goes By," "Fifty Years Adrift" and "It Was Twenty Years Ago Today."

In the mid-80's, Derek returned to Apple Corps, from where he orchestrated and controlled the massively-successful launches of "The Beatles Live at the BBC" and, perhaps rock and roll's greatest multi-meida success of all time, "The Beatles Anthology."

Derek Taylor leaves a wife, Joan, and children Timothy, Dominic, Gerard, Abigail, Vanessa and Annabel - and thousands of friends.

Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to Derek today. He said: "He was a beautiful man. It's a time for tears. Words may come later."

Paul McCartney's publicist and Derek Taylor's "Anthology" press assistant Geoff Baker commented today: "Derek leaves a thousand friends. Derek was not only the World's Greatest Press Officer, eh was also one of the funniest, kindest and most decent men you could have met. All who did meet him, loved him. IN 1969, The Beatles sang "and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" - Derek Taylor was the proof of that equation."

Rupert Perry, Chairman of the EMI Records Group, UK & Ireland, said today: "The untimely death of Derek Taylor is a sad loss for our industry and especially for those of us at EMI privileged to have known him.

"During his years holding the outside world together during the crazy days of Apple at 3 Savile Row, and more recently as the constant voice of sanity and reason amidst the furore of The Beatles' 'new' recordings and reunions, Derek's calmness and infinite charm and wisdom cooled many a hot head. Despite his illness, Derek continued to provide support to The Beatles, Apple and EMI, and we will remember him with great affection and gratitude."

David Hughes, head of communications at EMI, said: "I felt I knew Derek Taylor before I actually did. While working on "Disc & Music Echo" in the Sixties, Derek's wild weekly column from Los Angeles became the most eagerly-anticipated words of any music writer of the time. When in recent years, I came to actually know him, it was as if we had been friends for all those 30 years. I will not see his like again."

A private funeral for Derek Taylor will be held in Suffolk on Friday.

Standing Stone + Montserrat Updates

Macca's Standing Stone will be performed on November 19th. Tickets go on sale at 11:00am on September 19th. No word on whether Macca himself will perform or not.

A www CD store announces Standing Stone CD Album and LP Vinyl to be released 26 September 97.

Not everyone has managed to get tickets for Paul's symphonic poem "Standing Stone". Simon van der Peet of the Dutch magazine Maccazine has, and here are some scans of his ticket (and some improved ones by Christiano Orlandi):

Sir George Martin, who has a home and recording studio on the Carribean island of Montserrat, is organizing a benefit concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. It takes place on the 15th of September. Tickets will go on sale this Friday 1st August at 10a.m. at the R.A.H. ticket office in London. [tickets were sold out within two hours]
So far Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sting and Mark Knopfler have agreed to perform for free. Martin hopes to raise at least $800,000 for the benefit of the people of Montserrat which has been devastated by natural disasters over the past decade.
The artists are reported to perform solo, probably acoustically, and in duets. They will also assemble on stage for a finale.

Standing Stone Tickets

Paul's symphonic work "Standing Stone" will premiere at The Royal Albert Hall in London on Tuesday 14th October 1997. "Fun Club" members were given the chance to buy tickets in advance over a special phone line from 18 July. They went on sale officially on Friday 25th July. Prices range from £20-£125, however (according to German news reports) Paul himself took special care of the cheaper seats and halfed their price to £10.

Biography "Many Years From Now"

At last - the "official" Paul McCartney biography will be finally out this year. Here's a passage from a catalogue:

Three songs left from the Miller/McCartney sessions

Reuter quotes Miller in a recent article. "The sessions were completely easy. It was just like jamming with somebody you know really well. We have kind of a common musical ancestry or something. We just sort of dig into it, and it's there, and it's a lot of fun. It just was like an old habit, man. It just fit real easy."
Miller also revealed that there are three songs left from these sessions: "Country Girl", "Soul Boy and a 3rd untitled composition which he wants to finish and release in the end.

Flaming Pie for President

A special audio program about the making of Flaming Pie has been ordered for Air Force One. The President and First Lady reportedly have been thrilled by the music from Flaming Pie, which they got from McCartney during their visit in London, lately.

A spokesman said that they'd been asked to produce a two-hour audio show for United Airlines. Just as this was being finished, a request from the White house for a special one-hour version for the President was received.

July 17, 1997: Confusion about 2nd single

The 2nd non-US single from Flaming Pie, "The World Tonight", was released on 7th July in the United Kingdom only, it seems. In the Netherlands, it was released on the 10th July. Please write if it has been released in your country!

Germany: Strange things going on here. This week, "Young Boy" is no longer in the Top 100 charts. However: BIG promotion has started - finally. Rumors say EMI Germany is holding back The World Tonight until the movie "Father's Day" starts - in October!
VIVA II (can be received throughout Europe on the Eutelsat Hotbird satellites) is currently airing the 2nd video of Young Boy several times every day! IMHO, this video is much better than the previously available "homemade" one (see Promo Videos for details).

July 13, 1997: Miscellaneous

Radio Update (Germany):

After the June radio special on "Welle Fidelitas" (small local station) in which Paul talked in German only (!), there is another radio special on German radio soon. This time it's on a nation-wide channel:

Buddy Holly Contest

Paul & Continental Airlines

"I leave Wednesday morning on a Continental Airlines flight to England, so I decided to see what kind of entertainment is available. Their showcase artist is you know who, Paul. Here is the write-up:

July 08, 1997: TV update - NBC 'Today'

NBC Today (runs from 7-8am in the US, and from 8-9am in Europe) is showing pre-recorded interview portions of 5-10 minutes length each this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Make sure you don't miss them!

NBC Europe is one day behind with the 'Today' show, so here it is Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Now don't forget Paul's appearance on NBC Late Night this Thursday (US) and Friday (Europe)!

July 06, 1997: 2nd European single; TV update

2nd European single

(Thanks to Matt Hurwitz, Publisher of Good Day Sunshine Magazine, and to Simon van der Peet for this info)

"Squid" is the music that Paul uses as musical background for his "Be a vegetarian" message on Oobu Joobu Part 14, track 13. (Thanks to Simon van der Peet from the Dutch Paul McCartney Fanclub for this information)
"Don't Break The Promise" is the demo version of this McCartney/Eric Stewart composition, a composite of this demo and the released 10CC version was aired during the 1995 US Oobu Joobu radio show. (This solo demo version by Paul is very good!)

TV update

Paul will appear on the NBC Late Night show with Conan O'Brien of 10th July in the US.

ATTENTION EUROPEAN READERS: NBC Europe will broadcast this show on the 11th July, 23:00 CET.

NBC Europe also broadcasts "The Today Show" Mon-Fri from 8.00-9.00 (a.m.) CET. I have no idea if this European version is produced independently or not. Definitely worth keeping an eye on it this week, as Paul will appear on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on NBC (US).

Sunday 23 Nov.:	A&E - Making of Standing Stone + Standing Stone (Royal Albert Hall premiere)
Monday 24 Nov.:	Paul on the Oprah Winfrey Show
Friday 28 Nov.:	re-broadcast of "Music for Montserrat" on Showtime PBS: Paul will be on "Talking with David Frost"

Paul arriving	Paul and Geoff Baker	Jacko'd be jealous
More signing	tons of people waiting...	"Hurray"
Paul is pressing the special button ...	...that opened the curtain to reveal...	...the HMV dog

Paul & Linda	Stella McCartney	Ringo & Barbara
Linda, interviewed by RTL	more interviews	Stella at work
Ringo was very interested	... and so were James, Paul & Linda	Mary, James, Paul, Linda & Ringo
Ringo	Paul&Linda singing in the rain

RAH	Conductor Foster	very special confetti
more confetti	Standing Stones	Paul at press conference
Two Macs at work ;-)	the composing software	Linda, James and Mary leave RAH
more Linda	more Linda

July - December 1997