Paul and Heather Mills news

November 7, 2004

Heather Mills McCartney was honored at the UNESCO organization's "Children in Need" annual benefit gala in Neuss, Germany on Saturday, November 6.

November 7, 2004 -- The Mirror

HELP! A CHAIN REACTION AS PAUL BLOCKS THE BOG

Talk about taking the pee... guests at Sir Paul McCartney's party had to ask permission to use the loo.

Hundreds of partygoers were hopping mad at the launch of an exhibition of pics from Macca's 2003 world tour on Thursday.

Staff at London's Proud gallery ushered guests into a back room so they wouldn't disturb the 62-year-old ex-Beatle as he and wife Heather Mills toured the show. But after a while desperate guests pleaded with stewards to leave.

One guest said, "We were stuck there an hour. Grown men had to beg to use the toilet. They didn't want Paul to be disturbed. There was almost a riot."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/

McCARTNEY TOO OLD TO SING FOR BAND AID III

LATEST: SIR PAUL McCARTNEY won't be asked to sing on the new BAND AID single, because at 62 organisers consider him too old.

The former BEATLE has been invited to play bass on the updated version of DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS? - which originally raised money for the Ethiopia famine in 1984 - and he said last week (ends05NOV04) he hoped to be given a bigger role.

McCartney said, "If they want me to sing on it, if there is a spot for me, I'll do it. I have absolutely no intention of letting younger artists take over this time around."

But former ULTRAVOX star MIDGE URE - who also organised Band Aid and the LIVE AID concerts - says McCartney won't be invited to sing, because he wants the focus to be on younger acts like CHRIS MARTIN, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, JAMELIA and DIDO.

He says, "Paul McCartney is reputedly going to play bass but I don't think he's going to turn up because he realises it's all about the new kids on the block.

"He came on as the penultimate act at Live Aid so he's got every right to do it. But the emphasis is on youth.

"The only person we're talking about having back is BONO, because I'm not sure anyone could sing the line the way he sang it."

08/11/2004 Contactmusic

November 8, 2004 -- BBC News

Sir Paul vies for festival award

Scissor Sisters, rapper 50 Cent and Sir Paul McCartney will compete in the first awards ceremony to honor UK music festival stars and organizers.

Set up by music site Virtual Festivals, all 12 winners will be decided by online public vote from 15 November.

Sir Paul's Glastonbury appearance has been shortlisted in the "best live moment of the summer" category.

He competes with 50 Cent's hasty exit at Reading and Scissor Sister Jake Shears losing his T in the Park kilt.

"Well over two million music fans attend festivals in the UK alone every year, so the Festival Awards gives these people an opportunity to recognize and reward those artists and organizers who made the summer one to remember," a Virtual Festivals spokesman said.

November 8, 2004

To Beatles fans (and fans of music) worldwide

We are coming up on our 32nd American Music Awards this Sunday November 14th.

As Executive Producer of The American Music Awards, every once in a while I am fortunate to share in something very special. This year that something special will involve the Beatles.

An official announcement will be made on Wednesday which will be sent your way. I can tell you this for now:

We'll be showing a tape that hasn't been seen on US television for 40 years featuring historic footage with the Beatles performing two of their biggest hits. I'm sure it will be one of the highlights of the show.

Until Wednesday.(and then....Live this Sunday, November 14 on ABC-TV from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. 8-11 PM Eastern & Pacific time (7-10 Central)

Sincerely,
Dick Clark

November 8, 2004 -- National Public Radio

In an interview with NPR radio "All Things Considered" Paul confirmed that he will be touring the US in September/October of 2005. One of the songs he is considering doing then is "When I'm 64." Macca turns 64, June 18, 2006.

To hear the interview click http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4159012

Хотел запостить самое свежее интервью Маккартни (с Аланом Франксом), поискал и обнаружил что оно уже есть! Отличная работа Mr.Primal Scream!

На всякий случай, вот еще одна ссылка: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14932-1345955,00.html

November 10, 2004 -- Adopt-A-Minefield

Heather Mills McCartney and Phil Collins were honored with the inaugural "Children In Need" UNESCO Award at the organization's annual benefit gala in Dusseldorf, Germany Saturday, November 6.

Humanitarian charity campaigner Heather Mills McCartney was honored with the inaugural UNESCO CHILDREN IN NEED AWARD in recognition of her commitment to the struggle against landmines. Music legend Phil Collins also received the award in recognition of his work for his "Little Dreams" Foundation.

The awards were presented at an International Charity Gala Dinner hosted by UNESCO Special Ambassador Ute-Henriette Ohoven.

Most recently Heather Mills McCartney's charity work has been particularly focused on the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign to clear landmines and help landmine survivors. About a third of those who suffer landmine explosions are children. Heather is the founding patron of Adopt-A-Minefield UK, and ambassador for the global campaign. Adopt-A-Minefield has raised over £6.5 million ($11.8 million) to date, funding clearance of 18 million square metres of mined land and benefiting more than 400,000 people. Through her work, AAM is now the largest funder of landmine clearance in the world.

The UNESCO Children in Need Award was created by Lorenzo Quinn, son of the late actor Anthony Quinn. He personally presented the awards together with Dr Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, the German Federal Minister for Development. The award is given to people who work in the fields of humanity, tolerance and peace.

1,400 VIP guests from around the world working in every field attended this high profile event including Linda Evangelista, Vivienne Westwood, Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu and top model Bibi Russell from Bangladesh. Lisa Stansfield, Kool & the Gang, Prima Donna Assoluta Montserrat Cabelle and the young Israeli singer Liel all performed at the Gala, together with children from Israel and Palestine, a symbol for peace and tolerance in the Middle East and the world.

The Education for Children in Need program is entirely funded from private donations. Since 1992 Ute-Henriette Ohoven has helped raise some 25 million Euros for this programme, which directly supports some 207 projects in 75 countries, helping hundreds of thousands of children and adolescents. Vocational training, schools, food, shelters and diverse projects help to rescue the most vulnerable street children, victims of wars and disasters, sick and disabled youngsters from a miserable life and early death, and also give them the chance to help themselves.

190 independent nations are members of UNESCO. Their pledge is to actively pursue a policy for peace, respect for human rights and tolerance, independent of origin, language, culture, race or religion.

Heather Mills McCartney comments, "I am thrilled to have been given this award; I am a great admirer of UNESCO and the wonderful work the Education for Children in Need program does to help vulnerable children. We can all work together to help Adopt-A-Minefield in their struggle to rid the world of landmines by visiting http://www.landmines.org.uk ­ even the smallest donation can make a difference."

November 10, 2004 -- PRESS RELEASE

RARE BEATLES PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE TO AIR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS ON U.S. TELEVISION ON THE 32ND ANNUAL "AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS," NOVEMBER 14 ON ABC-TV

On November 15th, 1964, for the first and last time on U.S. television, a TV special entitled "Around The Beatles" aired on ABC-TV. One day short of exactly 40 years later, some of this rare performance footage will be seen on the 32nd annual "American Music Awards" airing on ABC-TV, Sunday, November 14. Introducing the footage will be ex-Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.

The Beatles first entered the American record charts in January of 1964 with "I Want To Hold Your Hand," which reached #1 and stayed in that lofty position for seven weeks. It was followed by "She Loves You," which shot to the top of the charts and remained there for two weeks. Performance footage of these two songs from the "Around The Beatles" UK special will be seen for the first time on U.S. TV in 40 years on the "American Music Awards," courtesy of EMI Music. On November 16th, Capitol Records' first 4 Beatles' U.S. albums will be released on CD for the first time ever, and these songs will be featured in the special 4-CD set.

Dick Clark, Executive Producer of the "American Music Awards" noted, "Just over 40 years ago, the Beatles changed the landscape of contemporary music in the United States. We are thrilled to have been given permission to air these two historical performances on this year's show."

November 10, 2004 -- Ananova

McCartney ready to reactivate When I'm 64

Sir Paul McCartney says he may perform The Beatles' classic When I'm 64 on his next tour.

McCartney, who will turn 64 on June 18, 2006, hasn't performed the song onstage before, but admits the getting time is near when it might be ready to "reactivate" the track which originally appeared on 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

He told America's National Public Radio, "It's getting dangerously close I must say. If I still have the urge and the energy and the desire to be on tour then, I think that might be the year that I reactivate that song.

"Funny story with that was that I was talking to some lady and she said 'You know I play piano in an old person's home and I hope you will forgive me, but I play When I'm 64,' and I said, 'Oh, that's great, that's lovely, it's a great tribute.'

"And, she said, 'But, I hope you will forgive me because I have to change the lyrics because 64 is very young for these people. I have to do When I'm 84.'"

McCartney wrote When I'm 64 with its lyrics about spending summers in the Isle of Wight "if it's not too dear" with grandchildren "Vera, Chuck and Dave" while he was dating British actress Jane Asher.

November 11, 2004 -- Popbitch.com

TV's Hall of Fame program is secretly filming a gig at the Hackney Empire, featuring the likes of U2, David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Ringo, Robbie Williams and Elton "Lillian Lollipop" John. The organisers are also in frantic negotiations to get Michael Jackson to turn up, though there are problems with him being allowed to leave the US. Madonna is said to be miffed that so far she hasn't been invited.

If you can't penetrate the Empire's security cordon, the after-party is being held at the Ocean over the road.

November 11, 2004 -- Seattle Post

A 'sense of wonder' keeps Paul McCartney going
There were times when he was onstage alone, doing those tribute songs to late wife Linda or to his departed bandmates, John Lennon and George Harrison, and Paul McCartney would teeter on the edge of losing all control of his own emotions, as he had feared before the 2002-03 world tour began.
"I remember certain occasions when I was dangerously close to losing it," McCartney said from London in a one-on-one telephone interview with the Post-Intelligencer. "The song to John was liable to set me off, since I'm talking about someone you love and someone you lost and baring your self in front of all those people in the audience, some of whom I couldn't help but zone in on. And I'd be thinking 'Jesus Christ, this woman or that man, and it was worse with a man, is weeping and I'm doing this to them.' If you're human at all, you can't help but go all to bloody hell. So I'd tell myself I've got to hold it ...
"But I made a decision before the tour: If I'm doing 'Something' for George or 'My Love' for Linda or 'Here Today' for John, then this might happen. I could have yanked those numbers, but I just made a decision to not be ashamed by tears now. At 18, a man crying onstage, I would have thought 'Jesus!' But not now."
Many things were different with that memorable McCartney world tour. The knighted musician was traveling with a new band, young players little known to each other, and McCartney was energized by their enthusiasm and their talent. And long gone were those Wings prohibitions about playing Beatles songs, lest that McCartney-led ensemble seem a Fab Four cover band.
Now McCartney felt at ease with performing songs from throughout his remarkable career and the tour set list grew to a staggering 36 tunes that consumed 2 1/2 hours onstage, to the great delight of both fans and critics. The tour's segments may have been called "Back in the U.S. 2002" and "Back in the World 2003" but the entire odyssey probably should have been called the "All You Need Is Love Tour," given the unbridled outpouring of sentiment and affection.
"In Mexico City, the crowd was so loud and so loving, it was like they were shouting vibrations onto the stage," McCartney remembered. "I was trying to sing, "You say yes, I say no,' and I was like Sally Field blubbering, 'You love me, you really love me!' That staggering emotion was coming off the crowd and it was all descending on me, one little person standing there onstage. It was like being submerged in their love ions."
The positive vibe continued this past summer when McCartney and the band resumed touring in Europe. They likely will continue late next year in the United States, where venues are being scouted. No formal announcement is expected soon on the next American tour, but McCartney stressed that he is "keen on doing it."
McCartney's enthusiasms were much on display during the upbeat interview. Questions about his work and that of the Beatles prompted expansive comments from the 62-year-old luminary. And his wit, that cheekiness so familiar since the Beatles' first tour of America in 1964, also was in evidence.
"You will certainly be remembered for 'Yesterday,' " McCartney was told, "but what song do you yourself want to be remembered for?"
" 'Why Don't We Do It in the Road!' " he responded without pause. "I keep waiting for 2,000 other artists to cover that song, but it never seems to happen. Maybe some Icelandic group will finally do their version, 'Why Don't We Do it in the Fjord!' "
"But 'Yesterday' (the most recorded song of all time) will always be a magical thing for me, since I woke up from a dream with that song in my head. Personally, I think I have written better songs -- 'Here, There and Everywhere' is well-constructed. And I wouldn't be ashamed to be remembered for 'Yesterday' or 'Hey, Jude' or "Let It Be.' I'm just lucky that there is some of my stuff that people remember and like. I mean, how lucky is that? I do have to sort of pinch myself that I was the guy who wrote 'Yesterday' and I was a guy who was one of only four Beatles."

McCartney was always seen as the cheery Beatle, the cute Beatle, the one who just might be all right for a sister to meet. That image stuck despite a few bumps on the long and winding road: McCartney's 1970 solo album and his comments then that the Beatles were no more, followed that same year by the lawsuit against his bandmates that signaled the group's demise; the 1980 discovery of a smidgen of marijuana in his suitcase during a trip to Japan and his jailing for nine days that he later described as "hell."
The Beatles remained archetypes long after they stopped playing together on "Let It Be," their last public performance on the rooftop of Apple headquarters glimpsed mostly by a few startled gawkers on the sidewalk. George Harrison was the mystical one, Ringo Starr was the madcap one, John Lennon was the serious arty one, the recognized leader later elevated to something approaching sainthood after his murder in 1980.
Lennon and McCartney created most of the Beatles' songs, sometimes together, often not, their collaboration resulting in the widespread belief that Lennon's hard-rocker edge served as a crucial counterweight to McCartney's sweet melodies. The persistent simplification of the Beatles' group dynamics rankles McCartney to this day.
"The thing is we were all a mixture," he emphasized. "I have a harder side, John had a softer side. I wrote 'Helter, Skelter' and that's harder than people think I wrote. John wrote 'Good Night,' which is so sentimental that people would not think John would do that, but he had a beautiful sentimental side, too.
"We were all infected by each other. We were not one-dimensional. People often minimize the influence of George and Ringo, inferring that George just stood there with a pick waiting for a solo and Ringo did nothing but drum. That's just wrong; they had a massive influence. We were a great democracy, the Beatles; that was one of the sources of our troubles, but also one of our great blessings."
McCartney seems to have led a charmed life in comparison to the other three Beatles, with the steadiest family life, the most successful solo career, the most sustained visibility and fame, the readiest affection in the hearts of millions of fans. He considers himself to be "very lucky" in many ways, including how his enthusiasm for performing remains undiminished after more than 3,000 gigs through concerts at such dazzling sites as Red Square in Moscow and the Coliseum in Rome that are captured in a new book (see sidebar).
But McCartney has hardly skated through life unscathed. He is only too familiar with personal loss -- his mother died from breast cancer when he was just 14; fellow Beatles were cut down by gunfire and cancer, forever dooming any chance of a long-anticipated Beatles' reunion; his beloved wife, Linda, also his partner onstage with Wings, died from breast cancer after nearly 30 years of marriage in which they had been apart only a handful of nights.

"The thing that teaches me," McCartney related, "is to enjoy things as they happen. I look at something like our tour -- I look out at all those people and I wonder where they have driven from to come hear us -- and that sort of thing is uplifting to me. That is what is rewarding to me. My sense of wonder keeps me going."
McCartney emerged from a year of mourning after the loss of his wife and later began a relationship with Heather Mills, 26 years younger, a stunning former model who had lost half of one leg in a motorcycle accident and went on to become a tireless campaigner for other amputees and against the use of land mines around the globe. The couple married in 2003 and had their first child, Beatrice, a year ago.
McCartney's two decades of activism on behalf of vegetarianism and the ethical treatment of animals, shared with Linda McCartney, has now been supplemented by activism on behalf of a worldwide ban on the use of land mines, shared with Heather Mills McCartney. Concert appearances where he appears in T-shirts emblazoned with "No More Land Mines" are just one aspect of his activism for that cause, which also includes benefits, philanthropy and using his celebrity to lobby world leaders.
Those entreaties have fallen on the deaf ears of President George W. Bush, who continues to oppose the United States' approval of the international land mines treaty, much to McCartney's dismay. The activist says the campaign against land mines is "a long haul, a slow haul, but we've made amazing progress," and he continues to believe that the Bush administration's opposition to the land-mine ban only worsens America's standing in the world.
"Lord knows where Mr. Bush thinks he's going," McCartney stressed. "This is the pity now about the perception of America; I always say there are lots of cool Americans, but the perception is that Mr. Bush is acting like a big bully in the playground who does not care who he hits.
"I've written to him about land mines and asked why don't you do something, this is a really cool cause. The military knows that they do not need land mines anymore; it's a cowardly device, with mainly children and women who get blown up. It's terrible for the survivors: kids are playing ball someplace and then, boom, they've lost arms and legs. It's just very cowardly. So if America would take a lead, it would mean that a lot could be done. China won't approve the ban if America won't. It could make Mr. Bush look much better around the world. So we keep writing to him -- and we won't quit."
Land mines are just one of the dangers of this 21st-century world afflicted by terrorism, famine, genocide and war. Heightened fears and security have altered daily lives everywhere, butMcCartney continues to appear in vast outdoor venues where security is problematic and in public, too, more than two decades after the murder of Lennon by a crazed fan outside his apartment complex in New York City.
McCartney, a global celebrity with few equals, insists that he never fears for his life.
"I don't, I must say," he related, "although that is probably surprising. Some people worry about setting foot on the street, but to me, I always think, 'Oh yes, I'll be fine.' Perhaps I should have more concern, but I'm very lucky and I've always been that kind of person -- as a kid in Liverpool, I'd get on a bus by myself and ride to the end and get enjoyment out of being new places.
"I do know there are a lot of celebrities who have overriding concerns about their security and wouldn't go to the supermarket without a bodyguard. But Heather and I go to the movies all the time in London and people are always surprised to see us without bodyguards. I just decided a long time ago: When it's your turn to go, there's not much you can do about it."
McCartney's attitude toward his security mirrors his attitude toward his celebrity. He can reflect over four decades in the klieg-light glare, can look all the way back to an unknown mop top from Liverpool who was so hungry for recognition and fame, never expecting that his struggling musician dreams would be exceeded a million times over.
He is a grandfather now, just 19 months short of truthfully singing "When I'm 64," but he can readily recall those smoky dives in Liverpool and Hamburg where that striving, left-handed lad wielded a cheap Hofner bass.
"I'd tell him, 'Relax, kid,' " McCartney said. "... Don't make so much of fame. Take it with a grain of salt. Don't believe your own legends. Maintain some humility."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/books/199065_paul11.html

November 12, 2004 -- The Guardian

Sir Paul McCartney has come up with a radical way to tackle the crisis faced by many an ageing rocker.

"I've decided that all young people should be done away with," the 62-year-old told Pendennis at the opening of Each One Believing, an exhibition of photographs of his latest world tour at Proud Galleries in Camden.

"Anyone under the age of 28. I've had enough of them," the former mop top snorted. Heather Mills McCartney is 36.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0%2C6903%2C1345325%2C00.html

EXCLUSIVE - MACCA TALKS BAND AID!




PAUL McCARTNEY has spoken to NME.COM about his participation in the surefire future Xmas Number One ‘DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS?’

The former Beatle, Bono, Thom Yorke and Chris Martin were among a host of stars who laid down the historic Band Aid 20 version of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ last weekend (November 13-14) at George Martin’s Air Studios in London.

NME.COM was there and spoke to McCartney just after he finished recording the bass part. He said that despite tabloid pressure to record vocals for the song, which is released on November 29, he was only asked to provide bass.

He said: "We’re keeping away from the hullabaloo while we try and get a backing track. I play bass on it, that’s really all I was really asked to do and that’s what I fancied doing. It’s kind of nice to do that.

"And then the national, wonderful press got into ‘Why aren’t you singing? Oh he’s too old!’ and did all that shit. I was like ‘Oh, fuck off!’ So I’ve just done what my producer asked me to do, he’s producing it."

McCartney has been working on his new album with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, who also produced the new version of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’.

Playing his Hofner ‘Beatle bass’, McCartney was joined at Air by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, who plays piano and Supergrass’ Danny Goffey, who plays drums. Also present in the studio were Jonny Greenwood and Fran Healy from Travis, although Darkness guitarists Justin and Dan Hawkins waited until Saturday (November 13) to record what Justin called some "very Eighties, twin harmony guitars." Chris Martin, who had originally been down to play keyboards, was miffed at his exclusion until he discovered it was Yorke who was taking his place.

http://www.nme.com/news/110572.htm

Diary - Heather Mills McCartney
Diary
Heather Mills McCartney
Monday 13th December 2004



It struck me - after a girlfriend of mine was held at knifepoint while being stripped of her valuables - that a metal leg might come in handy at full force in the gonads of a mugger. By Heather Mills McCartney

''A dog is for life," the advert proclaims, "not just for Christmas." How about a dog's fur - or even a cat's? Because that is exactly what thousands of Brits will be buying their loved ones this Christmas, and almost none of them will realise . . .

Because of a customs classification loophole, thousands of mislabelled furs are making their way into the UK from China. There our furry friends are kept in refrigerators to thicken their fur, before being pierced with a metal rod and hung up by the neck as the blood drips from their agonised bodies; all this to ensure their pelt is in pristine condition to be worn by some insecure fashion diva who's so unhappy in her own skin that she has to wear a dog's (even though she thinks it's mink, sable, fox or rabbit).

Our western psyche prides itself on its deeply ingrained love of animals. Elvis Presley's song to his old dog Shep continues to reduce people to tears; and generations of children have asked: "How much is that doggy in the window, the one with the waggly tail?" We love tales of the loyal friend saving a drowning child or an injured man, or soothing a heartbroken wife.

Promoting the wearing of fur is just as sick as buying it. Women's magazines editors are all telling us that fur is back in fashion - so they can be held personally responsible for the slaughter of thousands of animals, alongside the hypocritical supermodels Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell, who all promoted the Peta "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign in the early 1990s, only to join the long list of turncoats.



Much of December has sadly been spent discussing with lawyers whether I should sue the Sunday Times Magazine, after it published an extraordinary article libelling me and my charity work. I heard it had called upon the usual suspects as "proof"; but the subsequent fantastic support from friends and colleagues from all stages of my life, who, unprompted, have offered to tell the real story, has been truly overwhelming.



And this month I've discovered a new hobby - my bruised and aching body bears testament to my working hard all week with my wing chun kick-boxing teacher. No, I haven't gone insane. It struck me - after a girlfriend was recently held at knifepoint while her valuables were violently stripped from her body - that a metal leg might well come in handy at full force in the gonads of some unsuspecting, knife-wielding coward. Unfortunately, in practice, I misjudged and decked my instructor!



This month, the Nairobi landmine summit was held, which made us all euphoric. The 23 non-signatory countries, including China, Russia and the US, all attended. That shows huge promise for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which has gathered 144 state party signatories in just seven years, a huge achievement that few believed possible. It shows what can be done when a group of like-minded people get together and focus on the issue of clearing the world of landmines.



Which leads me back to the waggly tail . . . the one I saw on a loving German shepherd being pulled out of a sack, before he stiffened and cowered, his tail between his legs. I will never forget the horror on his face as he was tied up and skinned alive in front of other terrified dogs whimpering in the corner. These animals are abused purely for our consumption here in the west; only the poorest of the poor eat dog and cat now in China. The US has banned their import, as have some EU countries, so sales have shifted to the UK to make up for lost revenue.

Asian merchants told Humane Society undercover investigators that they would give up the business immediately if there was a ban, rather than risk high-end exports being banned as a punishment. So get your act together, European Commission; while you are dilly-dallying around, your dog or cat may be next in line. Dogs and cats have no voice. We do. They have no choice. We do. Choose not to wear fur and you will contribute towards diminishing the market for which two million innocent dogs and cats are slaughtered every year.
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/1019/articles/diary.htm

December 19, 2004 -- UK News

Sir Paul McCartney treated diners at a top London restaurant to an impromptu gig this week. He broke into song at Zillis in Soho and belted out Christmas songs.

Owner Aldo Zilli said, "He just walked in, had a glass with us and started singing - everyone joined in."

December 20, 2005 -- The Mail On Sunday

Macca's Bea line for Ireland

Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills McCartney have returned to Castle Leslie, where they married two-and-a-half years ago, to have their baby daughter Beatrice blessed in time for her first birthday.

The former Beatle and his 36-year-old spouse booked into the 21,000-acre stately pile in County Monaghan after returning from the States, where the 62-year-old musician has been finishing a new album. They stayed in the Red Room, where they spent their wedding night, and Beatrice Milly, who turned one in October, was blessed in the fairytale church in the castle's grounds.

"Paul and Heather booked in under pseudonyms and seemed very at home," a member of staff said. "Paul was even allowed to wear trainers in the dining room, which is against house rules. He and Heather are clearly very much in love. They only really left their quarters to go to the ceremony."

Perhaps the patter of more tiny feet is not far off?

December 30, 2004 -- CNN

The oddest items offered on ebay according to a USA Today report

Despite the frenzy it caused over the holidays, the No. 1 search item on eBay in 2004 wasn't "iPod." In fact it was "RV," short for recreational vehicle, a published report said Thursday. For the second year in a row, USA Today asked the online auction behemoth to slice and dice its database of transactions to draw out trends that could help define 2004.

The most disconcerting conclusion drawn from eBay's statistics, the report said, was that people appear to be getting weirder.

For example, in 2003, the oddest item sold on eBay was a tissue used by Paul McCartney. In 2004, there was a plethora of strange and often bizarre items on both the seller and the buyer side.

Among them, a 10-year-old grilled cheese sandwich marked by scorches that seem to look like the Virgin Mary, or someone who listed her father's cane along with her father's ghost, the paper said.

Other listings included a piece of gum chewed by Britney Spears that fetched more than $500, the report said.
http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/30/news/fortune500/ebay_indicator/index.htm?cnn=yes