The piano that Sir Paul McCartney used to perform Yesterday has gone under the hammer for the first time. The former Beatles star used the piano to think up the music to the famous track in 1964, which has become one of the most covered songs of all time. It’s claimed McCartney thought the song was another artist’s and went to see the singer Alma Cogan to play it for her on her family’s 1926 mini piano but she confirmed it was an original song. The piano, which has also been used by the likes of Mick Jagger, Sean Connery, John Lennon and Michael Caine, is now going up for auction at London’s Drury Lane Theatre. Alma’s sister Sandra Caron is auctioning off the piano and it is expected to go for at least £125,000.
The Beatles star Paul McCartney was spotted enjoying a Lady Gaga concert in New York. The 68-year-old rocker took his girlfriend Nancy Shevell, 47, to the star’s recent gig in Madison Square Garden where he sat near the stage enjoying the show. A source told UK newspaper the Daily Star: "He is one of the most famous people on the planet but Macca didn’t ask for any special treatment. "While he could have had his pick of a private box he insisted he get to hang out with the rest of Gaga’s fans, the Little Monsters. He wanted a regular date night with his missus."
Sir Paul McCartney says he makes contact with those once dearest to him in music and in life whenever he performs.
“I’m sort of thinking about George,” he said of the late Beatle George Harrison. He went on to mention his late wife Linda and great collaborator John Lennon, when he said: “And similarly with John and Linda. In a way you’re kind of in contact with them again, you know. And it’s sad. It’s emotional.”
The ex-Beatle was in London to promote a new album and DVD. He was in a pub when he said:
“It’s a good thing to do. I couldn’t have done it when I was 18 because I would not have allowed myself to cry or go anywhere near that. Now it’s OK. I’m used to it.”
Sir Paul’s new song, Here Today, was written with Lennon in mind. He said: “It catches me out in this film version (of the song) where I realise I’m telling this man that I love him. I’m publicly declaring this in front of all these people I don’t know.”
His new album will be released in the UK on December 7.
Paul McCartney will sing his last on-stage song in a spectacular final tour next year.
A source said: “Paul wants to go out with a bang. He’s played countless stadiums over his 50-year career and is on the hunt for the most unusual locations he can find. He realises that the older he gets, the less his body will be able to cope with the demands of extended periods on the road.”
McCartney wants to go out in style, however, with a tour that takes in politically dynamic locations such as Tiananmen Square and the area around Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie.
The tour, planned for 2010, will run for a year as the ex-Beatle nudges 70.
And Sir Paul may step out of retirement from time to time, the source indicated.
“He might play the odd benefit gig if the likes of President Obama gives him a bell but other than that he’ll be putting his feet up and enjoying retirement.”
Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney has reportedly got engaged to girlfriend Nancy Shevell but has not made an announcement because of his ex-wife Heather Mills.
It is claimed Sir Paul, 66, is worried ex-wife Heather, 41, will sabotage their happy moment when they officially announce the news.
Sir Paul reportedly told friends that new love Nancy, 47, is the closest thing to his wife Linda, who died over ten years ago.
A source close to the star said: “Paul just loves being in love. He feels that he functions better and feels more complete as a human being.”
The source added, according to British newspaper the Sunday Express: “It’s as though being in love is a natural state for him.”
