Tag: Paul McCartney (1-6 of 6)

May 23 2013 09:31 AM ET

Paul McCartney speaks out for Pussy Riot in letter to Russian judge

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Tags: , , Music
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Image Credit: Philip Ryalls/Redferns via Getty Images

Beatles frontman Paul McCartney has asked a Russian judge to release members of the Pussy Riot punk group from prison.

In letters dated Monday and posted online by the group’s supporters, McCartney asks for parole to be granted to Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, currently serving two-year sentences for an impromptu protest in Moscow’s main cathedral.

McCartney wrote that he was making the request “in a spirit of friendship for my many Russian acquaintances who, like me, believe in treating people – all people, with compassion and kindness.”

Alekhina went on hunger strike Wednesday in protest at not being allowed to attend her own parole hearing in Perm province. The judge in Mordovia province to whom McCartney addressed both letters denied Tolokonnikova parole last month.

Read more:
Released Pussy Riot member offers no regrets
Pussy Riot appeal conviction
Pussy Riot cathedral video banned for ‘extremism’

Dec 16 2012 09:48 AM ET

'Saturday Night Live' recap: Samuel L. Jackson drops f-bomb, Paul McCartney performs with Nirvana's surviving members

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Image Credit: NBC

Image Credit: NBC

Saying last night’s episode of SNL fell short of expectations would be the understatement of the year. Martin Short didn’t disappoint, in fact he was my favorite host of the season. His brand of physical comedy and impeccable comedic timing were refreshing, but he didn’t have adequate material to work with. As expected, the episode was star-studded — complete with cameos from other SNL alums and show favorites — but the celebrity guests acted as background props for the most part instead of contributing to skits. However, every time Paul McCartney took the stage, his tender voice wiped  my memory clean of any mediocre jokes that preceded his stellar performance. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 15 2012 06:00 PM ET

Martin Short hosts tonight's 'Saturday Night Live': Talk about it here!

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Image Credit: NBC

When SNL alumni return to play host, one of two things tends to happen: The show is either a season highlight that skillfully mixes old and new (see Maya Rudolph or Jimmy Fallon‘s shows from last year; seriously, see them), or it’s an unfortunately stagnant walk down memory lane (sorry, Dana Carvey). So which of these fates will befall Martin Short tonight?

If there’s any justice, it’ll be Option #1. Sure, it’s a given that Short will bring back a few of the characters he played during his brief time on SNL in the ’80s — but because he’s such a spry, dynamic performer, it seems unlikely that he’d be content to break out his Jerry Lewis impression and call it a day. I truly think that having Short around will inspire Saturday Night Live‘s current team to push themselves. His presence also means that cameos from his famous friends and former cast mates – Billy Crystal? Christopher Guest? Tom Hanks? Steve Martin?! — are as inevitable as Ed Grimley’s cowlick.

It also doesn’t hurt that this is SNL‘s last show of 2012 (and, if the Mayans are to be believed, SNL’s last show ever); generally speaking, the cast and writers like to go out with a bang. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned musical guest Paul McCartney yet.

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 14 2012 11:39 AM ET

Martin Short and Paul McCartney tune up for 'Saturday Night Live'

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Martin Short is hosting tomorrow’s Saturday Night Live holiday show, and it’s clear he’s “…simply… having… a wonderful Christmas time” in his old Studio 8H surroundings.

Paul McCartney is the musical host, and the Beatle — perhaps still hoping to claim his share of Lorne Michael’s $3,000 offer — popped in early to appear in two short promotional spots.

Watch some champion passive-aggressiveness below: READ FULL STORY »

Aug 9 2012 12:10 PM ET

Olympics closing ceremony could feature the Stones, Elton John... and, of course, the Spice Girls

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Image Credit: Ray Burmiston/Getty Images

The music director of Sunday’s Olympics closing ceremony tells the London Telegraph that the event “should be the greatest after-party in the world” — and judging from the details that have leaked so far, we tend to agree. Between Adele crooning “Someone Like You,” members of Pink Floyd performing “Wish You Were Here,” and a “galaxy” of other British stars rumored to include the Rolling Stones, Elton John, George Michael, Queen, Ray Davies of the Kinks, the Who, Muse, and, of course, the Spice Girls, all that’s missing is a cameo from some Tupacian Beatles holograms.

The identities of the event’s performers are officially supposed to remain secret until Sunday — but there are plenty of things we do know for sure about the Ceremony. READ FULL STORY »

Jul 30 2012 04:46 PM ET

Why was Sir Paul McCartney only paid $1.57 for his Olympic opening ceremony performance?

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Tags: , , , Music
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Image Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFP/GettyImages

According to the London Evening Standard, artists who performed at the Olympic Opening Ceremony in London last Friday were paid the token amount of just £1 (approximately $1.57). That includes everyone from breakout Grime artist Dizzee Rascal to the Arctic Monkeys, Mike Oldfield, and of course Sir Paul McCartney. The fee is used to ensure contracts signed by the artists are binding and is not a measure of their performance. So what else could you get for £1 in the UK? Nothing says Great Britain like fish and chips, but how about the next best thing? A jar of Fish and Chips flavored sandwich spread with a cool 21 pence left over to go towards a bottle of mouth rinse after. Or perhaps three maps of the London Underground designed by artist Tracey Emin? But clearly the most useful item would be a biography of Isambard Kingdom Brunel so we can all agree Kenneth Branagh was not in fact portraying Abraham Lincoln at the opening ceremony.

Read more:
Olympic opening ceremony: Best/Worst
NBC’s tape-delay victory

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