Sir Paul will be back in Liverpool soon to autograph copies of his new book Blackbird singing (Poems & Lyrics 1965-1999) which contains some of his best-known song lyrics and more than 100 poems written since 1965. W. H. Smith's store in Church Street have secured an exclusive signing deal and although the date has yet to be confirmed, Sir Paul is likely to return to Liverpool on March 19th the same day as the book is published. Twelve of the poems in the book were written just before Linda's death in April 1998, and offer a rare insight into Sir Paul's emotions. He has dedicated the book to his former wife and their children Stella and James, and to Heather, Linda's child from a previous marriage. 12/02/01

Top Stars to Sing for Linda

All the proceeds from the double CD will go to the charity Women and Cancer. Linda died of the disease in 1998.

Beatles fan Darrol Edwards, who is helping to compile the album, told Dotmusic.com: "We felt it would be a fitting tribute to Linda. The response from the big stars has been amazing. About 12 tracks are in the bag."17/04/01

From me to you.

Beatle fans have been breaking down in tears during a book signing by Sir Paul McCartney. Sir Paul was doing his first ever book signing at a London Store with hundreds of fans queuing round the block to grab a word with the musician. Many had travelled hundreds of miles to see him sign his book Paul McCartney: Paintings, including Kate Brylska who had travelled from Poland. Mario Canosa from Sardinia, in Italy, broke down in tears and had to be seated by staff as he recovered from meeting Sir Paul. The fan dressed in a yellow duffle-coat, corduroy cap and John Lennon style glasses said: "The Beatles are my love. I dreamed of meeting him. I never imagined to meet him here. He looked me in the eyes. I only heard about this yesterday evening and I came immediately," said Canosa, who is trying to make it as a musician. "I have been queuing since yesterday at 10am. I froze to death but it was worth it. He's the best," added the fan who was second in the queue and accompanied into the branch of Waterstone's in Piccadilly. Another fan who to meet him during the 50-minute signing session was Clara Tait, 11, who travelled with her father Russell from their village near Tenterden in Kent. The youngster, wearing a Sgt Pepper tee-shirt and a woolly hat said: "He just said hi, he was really nice."

Scores of fans had to leave without meeting their idol but Sir Paul had made a contingency plan. "I've actually signed some other copies for the people who didn't get in," he said afterwards.

Sir Paul said he will remember his old friend and Beatles bandmate John Lennon with all the love in his heart on the 20th anniversary of his death tomorrow. And he said the murdered star would be "tickled" to know the group had a number one album all these years after his death. Sir Paul spent more than 12 years making music which changed the face of pop with Lennon. He would be in the recording studio on the day of the anniversary.

Their friendship and creative partnership endured for years in The Beatles, but eventually became strained by the intensive recording sessions, diverging directions and relationships outside the band. Acrimony and bitterness between them was made clear in Lennon's 1971 track How Do You Sleep? It was a pointed attack on his old colleague although he later claimed the vitriol was aimed at himself. However over the years Sir Paul has spoken fondly of their time together - even though they failed to agree in retrospect on who wrote what.

Their greatest hits album 1 is set to break the million sales barrier in the UK, just a month after its release. Sir Paul said today: "It is shocking to think that John was killed 20 years ago. If he was alive, I'd be chuffed to let him know that his album has gone to number one in 28 countries. I know he'd be tickled by that. "On Friday I'll be doing what we always enjoyed best together - making music. What else would you want to do? I'll be thinking of all the great times that we had together, and I'll be remembering him with all the love in my heart."8/12/2000

Sir Paul Top Again

His personal fortune is estimated at about £535m, placing him ahead of Sir Elton John, whose estimated net worth is £360m.

Other top earners include Mick Jagger with a net worth of £160m, and Keith Richards with £157m.
McCartney's fortune comes from album sales, royalties, stock and property. 29/11/2000

Sir Paul In New York

Sir Paul has recently been in New York City at the Matthew Marks Gallery. He only gave a few interviews but after signing 600 of his prints in a day, he commented that he was overwhelmed. He said he had the night off so he would recover, as it had just been 'A Hard Days' Day.
When asked what prompted him to start painting he replied, "I need to have an urge to paint. I say I would love to paint a picture and I've got time. It's such a nice relief from the pressures of touring. On the world tours I did in the 90's, I painted quite a lot.
As his exhibition drew to a close Sir Paul disclosed in an interview with the USA Today newspaper that his work had even impressed the art experts. He said: "There was surprisingly little vitriol. There were one or two people who totally bitched at me, and they tended to say, 'Someone like him shouldn't be allowed to do this.' So the baptism of fire is over with. I did the show thinking that if I really hate this off-Broadway experience, if the critics are too tough on me and it is too hurtful, I don't need to do further exhibits. "I don't want an exhibition to be based on my celebrity status. I met people who said, "Oh I'll give you an exhibition.' When I said' But you haven't seen my paintings,' they said, 'It doesn't matter.' But you know what? It does…
Sir Paul has announced that next year his beloved home city of Liverpool is to host the first comprehensive exhibition of his art work. The Liverpool Walker Art Gallery has just undergone a major multi-million improvement program and the show will be the first to be held in the new special exhibition galleries.
The Director of National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, Sir Richard Foster and Robbie Montgomery who is Sir Paul' agent, have both been in close negotiations and have chosen 60 paintings to display. These have all been created by Sir Paul over the last 12 years. Michael Simpson curator of the Walker Art Gallery said: "Many of the paintings in the show are new and have never been previously exhibited or published. They reflect different periods in the artist's life, his music, his humour and his links with the city of Liverpool.
Sir Paul added. "I've been offered an exhibition of my paintings at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool where John and I used to spend many a pleasant afternoon, so I am really excited about it. It's from October 2001 till January 2002. I didn't tell anyone I painted for 15 years but now I'm out of the closet.24/11/2000

Sir Paul the Poet

The London News Paper the Independent has announced that Sir Paul has signed a contract with Faber & Faber to publish a collection of his lyrics and poems. The book is to be entitled 'Blackbird Singing' and Adrian Mitchell an old friend of Sir Paul's, is going to edit it. The idea to produce the book was Linda's and seventy-five percent of the collection was inspired by her. The book is scheduled to be released in March, 2001.24/11/2000

Linda's Memorial Update.

Sir Paul has now commissioned the life-sized statue of his lovely Linda, which is to be displayed in the Linda McCartney Memorial Gardens near their Mull of Kintyre home. The figure which will be in bronze will be worked by sculptress Jane Robins, daughter of Paul's cousin. It will portray Linda sitting on a tree stump, cradling a dog in her arms. Ms Robins explained: "I went to see Paul on another matter when he asked if I could do it. I knew Linda and the sort of person she was, so I am in a good position to produce something that Paul's going to be pleased with. It will take two or three months for Ms robins to complete. Sir Paul with then be asked for his final approval before it is sent to the foundry to be cast in bronze.24/11/2000

Beatle fans have been breaking down in tears during a book signing by Sir Paul McCartney. Sir Paul was doing his first ever book signing at a London Store with hundreds of fans queuing round the block to grab a word with the musician. Many had travelled hundreds of miles to see him sign his book Paul McCartney: Paintings, including Kate Brylska who had travelled from Poland. Mario Canosa from Sardinia, in Italy, broke down in tears and had to be seated by staff as he recovered from meeting Sir Paul. The fan dressed in a yellow duffle-coat, corduroy cap and John Lennon style glasses said: "The Beatles are my love. I dreamed of meeting him. I never imagined to meet him here. He looked me in the eyes. I only heard about this yesterday evening and I came immediately," said Canosa, who is trying to make it as a musician. "I have been queuing since yesterday at 10am. I froze to death but it was worth it. He's the best," added the fan who was second in the queue and accompanied into the branch of Waterstone's in Piccadilly. Another fan who to meet him during the 50-minute signing session was Clara Tait, 11, who travelled with her father Russell from their village near Tenterden in Kent. The youngster, wearing a Sgt Pepper tee-shirt and a woolly hat said: "He just said hi, he was really nice."

Scores of fans had to leave without meeting their idol but Sir Paul had made a contingency plan. "I've actually signed some other copies for the people who didn't get in," he said afterwards.

Another talent Sir Paul

Sir Paul McCartney's exhibition of his paintings is now open at the Arnolfini gallery in Bristol. Speaking on the eve of the opening, Sir Paul revealed that for years he had not painted, because had not been to art school and so he had not been trained. He has always like painting and drawing since he was a child, however he was 40 before he started painting in earnest. He has now produced over 500 canvases but didn't show them till 1999 in Siegen Germany. He thought he would be criticised for not sticking to music, but isn't music an art Sir Paul? Thank goodness he has come out into the open. He is doing with paint and canvas, what his brother has done superbly for a long time, with a camera and film. 28/10/2000