NEWS JUNKIE POST
Jun 2, 2010 at 3:08 pmMcCartney Talks Music, Politics Before Accepting Gershwin Prize
Sir Paul McCartney’s road to the White House may have been a long and winding one, but the pop music icon had a succinct message for President Obama’s critics. “He’s a great guy. So lay off him,” McCartney said at a press conference Wednesday as he got set to perform in concert in the White House’s East Room. “For an English kid–growing up in Liverpool, the White House–that’s pretty special.”
He fielded a mix of questions, some political, some artistic. In response to how he’d handle the BP oil spill, the legendary rocker said, “that’s too big a question for me to answer.” (Huh? Maybe they asked because The Beatles have a song “Fixing a Hole” on the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club” album) As for the craft of songwriting and how his has changed over the years, McCartney said, “It’s a mystery. You start with a black hole and if you’re lucky a couple of hours later there’ll be a song waiting there.”
And that mysterious well has been abundant. McCartney has written close to 1000 songs, including the lion’s share of the famous Beatles songbook, co-written with his partner the late John Lennon. Among their classics; “Yesterday” ( the most recorded song in history), which McCartney called “Scrambled Eggs” before setting down the lyrics; “Let it Be;” “Hey Jude,” “Get Back,” and “I saw Her Standing There.” As a a solo artist and leader of Wings, he added to his discography with songs like “Band on the Run;” “Jet“; “Junior’s Farm;” and “Uncle Albert.” More recent songs include “My Brave Face,” a ’90′s collaboration with Elvis Costello and last year’s album, the aptly titled “Memory Almost Full” which includes “Ever Present Past” and “Dance Tonight.”
President Obama will present McCartney The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Wednesday night. The evening will feature a tribute concert with a cross-generational list of luminaries set to rock the House. The celebrated performers include Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, The White Stripes’ singer/guitarist Jack White, Faith Hill, The Jonas Brothers, Emmylou Harris and Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl. Jerry Seinfeld will offer comedic observations. And McCartney himself is also scheduled to perform.
McCartney is the third person to receive the coveted Gershwin Prize. awarded by the Library of Congress, and named for songwriting brothers George and Ira Gershwin whose song collection is housed in the Library. Previous recipients, honored for their lifetime contribution to the craft of songwriting and cultural influence, are Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon.
McCartney, who despite his astounding worldwide acclaim, confessed to being “slightly nervous” as he played a small, private concert at the Lbrary Tuesday night. He told the audience that included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and assorted members of Congress as well as last year’s honoree Paul Simon and his wife singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, that he grew up listening to the Gershwin brothers’ music. And even with all the success and accolades he has enjoyed as a Beatle and solo star, McCartney said playing for the Obamas would be “a pinch me moment.”
James Billington, the Librarian of Congress, credited McCartney for “symbolizing and humanizing the global soundscape” with his music and worldwide activism.
Didn’t snag a ticket? Mere mortals can catch the concert on July 28th when it’s broadcast on PBS “In Performance at the White House.”
Please follow Amy Beth Arkawy on Twitter. You can also read her other News Junkie Post articles.
The Gershwin Prize for Paul McCartney is well deserved for all his contributions to the music world. Congrats – and thanks for a well done article on his accomplishments.
McCartney honored at White House gig…
WASHINGTON, June 2 (UPI) — U.S. President Barack Obama and an all-star lineup of musicians Wednesday honored Paul McCartney with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House.As the president looked on with first lady Michelle Obama, McCartne…
Paul McCartney takes a cheap shot at President Bush. Conservatives begin firing back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_vPjibXiPQ