Seems like Yesterday: stars’ Sir Paul McCartney’s tribute

By RORY REYNOLDS
Published on Sunday 12 February 2012 00:00

HEY Paul! Megastars of the music world last night paid tribute to Sir Paul McCartney by performing songs from the Beatles songbook.

McCartney was in Los Angeles to pick up a Person of the Year award and was regaled with a string of hits sung by some of the biggest names in contemporary music.

The line-up of artists at the charitable affair included veterans Neil Young and James Taylor, singers Katy Perry, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys and Diana Krall, and pop rockers Coldplay and Foo Fighters,

McCartney opened with his own rendition of Magical Mystery Tour, followed by Perry who belted out a rendition of Hey Jude. Neil Young rocked the house with I Saw Her Standing There. Coldplay sang We Can Work it Out and Alicia Keys gave a soulful version of Blackbird on piano.

“For me, obviously it’s great to hear these fantastic artists singing my songs,” McCartney said when he came onstage to accept his award.

Actor-comedian Eddie Izzard hosted the event to honour McCartney for his creative accomplishments and his charitable work.

The gala for MusiCares, which is supported by Grammy organisers at the Recording Academy, raised £4.1 million to provide aid to musicians in need of help.

The night featured a live auction of a red and cobalt-blue piano, painted by Peter Max for Ringo Starr, that sold for $175,000.

The ceremony marked the end of a big week in Hollywood for McCartney.

He emblazoned his name across a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame alongside his former Beatles bandmates near the legendary Capitol Records building. He is scheduled to perform at the music industry’s top awards show, the Grammys, tonight.

After the Beatles split in 1970, McCartney went on to score hits with Wings and in duets with Michael Jackson and others. His solo career has also flourished.

His new album, Kisses On The Bottom, features songs McCartney says he loved as a child growing up in Liverpool, including Bye Bye Blackbird and It’s Only A Paper Moon.

It also has two songs, Only Our Hearts and My Valentine, that McCartney reportedly wrote for his new wife Nancy Shevell.

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