Beatles on IPOD Only?!?

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Click on the iTunes music store and punch in "Beatles" under artist search. More than 50 albums will pop up, including Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Play the Beatles, but none are the real deal. Fans wishing to download the actual Fab Four in MP3 format have to search peer-to-peer sites like Limewire for unlicensed songs they can listen to free.
But that may be about to change. While details remain to be worked out, Fortune has learned that iTunes is close to a deal to bring the Beatles catalog online. Apple Computer (Charts) is said to be angling to become the exclusive online music store for the Beatles for a limited window of time. Other music stores, such as Microsoft's (Charts) MSN and Rhapsody, have courted the Beatles over the years to no avail, but it appears Apple is close to getting first dibs on the band's hits.
When reached by Fortune, an Apple spokesman responded that the company does not comment on "rumor and speculation." If the deal goes through, it will mark a Nixon-Brezhnev-worthy truce - with the band's record label, Britain's EMI Group, serving as a peacemaker - between Apple Computer's Steve Jobs and Neil Aspinall, the onetime Beatles road manager who is now guardian of the band's business interests under the rubric Apple Corps.
Zune vs. iPod: the battle begins
At a recent industry conference, David Munns, head of EMI North America, said the Beatles would be available online "soon." The parties were hoping to make a splashy announcement to coincide with the Nov. 21 release by EMI's Capitol Records of "Love," a mashup of Beatles songs that serves as a soundtrack to a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil production. That didn't happen. Apple Corps declined to comment.
As Fortune went to press, numerous deal points were still being hammered out. According to a music industry executive apprised of the talks, the parties were discussing how lengthy a window of exclusivity iTunes might get and how many tens of millions of dollars Jobs - who is said to be personally involved in the discussions - will commit to an advance for the band and marketing costs.
Also being discussed is whether the band would be willing to take two steps at the same time and endorse the iPod by allowing its music to be used in a commercial. Another scenario making the rounds is the prospect of the Beatles following U2's example with a branded iPod. "If the Beatles were in an iPod ad, that would be humongous," this executive said.
The deal could well fall apart for any number of reasons, including the long-running legal feud between Apple Corps and Apple Computer over both their names and the similarities between the Granny Smith that appears on the label's LPs and the half-eaten apple that is Jobs' corporate logo.
Apple Corps has been in and out of courtrooms with Jobs' Apple for more than 20 years. In the latest incarnation last May, a London judge ruled in favor of Jobs - saying that the iTunes service did not violate a 1991 deal in which Jobs was allowed to keep doing business under the Apple name as long as he agreed not to enter the music business. The Beatles have lodged an appeal, which is slated to be heard next February (clearly, if the two Apples wind up in business together, the matter is likely to be dropped).
The 1987 "Revolution" Nike (Charts) commercial was the first time a Beatles song was used in a TV ad, and the sneaker maker wound up discontinuing the spot after being sued by the Beatles. (Nike thought it had obtained the proper license for the song, only to find itself in the middle of a legal battle between EMI and Apple Corps.)
"The Beatles' position is that they don't sing jingles to peddle sneakers, beer, pantyhose, or anything else," a lawyer for the band told the Associated Press at the time. Notice he didn't say iPods.

London Fans meet Sir Paul

Sir Paul McCartney received a rousing reception as he mingled with adoring fans at a New York record store where he launched his latest work.Hundreds of people showed up at the launch of DVD 'The Space Within', some of whom had queued for two nights to meet their musical hero.The 64-year-old former Beatle took a break from his bitter divorce from estranged wife Heather to sign copies of his classical composition Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart).Many gripped his hands as he spoke to them and emerged in tears, overwhelmed with emotion.Afterwards they said they had avoided asking the star about the breakdown of his marriage.New Yorker Susan Roazzi said: "I told him that we believe in his goodness and wish he and his family peace. He said 'Thank you very much'. He seemed very warm and responsive."Sir Paul and his wife were catapulted into the headlines when divorce papers claiming he mistreated her were leaked to the media.Through his lawyers, the pop star said he would "vigorously" defend himself against the accusations.

Ecce Cor Meum on Sirius

Sirius will broadcast Paul McCartney's recent Carnegie Hall concert, featuring his new classical piece, Ecce Cor Meum (his only U.S. performance of that work). They will also air an interview with Sir Paul during intermission.
The concert will air Fri. Nov. 17 at 3 pm ET, Sat. Nov. 18 at 11 am ET, Sun. Nov. 19 at 12 am ET and 9 pm ET on SIRIUS Pops, channel 86.

UK Signing

Paul McCartney Exclusive UK Signing Session London No.1 Piccadilly Virgin MegastoresWednesday 22nd November 2006 – 12:30pmFollowing Paul McCartney’s in-store signing session Monday at Virgin Megastore, Times Square, New York City, Paul McCartney will make an exclusive special appearance at Virgin Megastore’s flagship store in London on 22nd November to sign copies of his classical album Ecce Cor Meum and brand new live concert film DVD Paul McCartney: The Space Within US.This is a wristband only event. For the chance to meet music’s greatest icon, pick up your copy of the DVD and/or CD on Wednesday 22nd November at the No.1 Piccadilly Megastore and you will receive your wristband to meet Paul McCartney. Paul will sign only these products, limit of two autographs per person. Time and space are limited.Ecce Cor Meum, Paul’s third classical album, was released on EMI Classics in September and has remained in the classical top ten since. It received its world premiere performance on 3rd November at the Royal Albert Hall and will be performed in the US tonight at the internationally renowned Carnegie Hall.This week (13th November) Warner Music Vision released the DVD Paul McCartney: The Space Within US, which contains a never before released concert and behind the scenes footage from Paul’s critically acclaimed 2005 US Tour. The US Tour ran for 11 weeks and saw Paul play 34 shows across America. The out-of-this world, feature-length concert film delivers live performances of more than two dozen Beatles, Wings and McCartney solo classics spanning four decades. It includes footage from Paul’s personal wake-up call to the astronauts aboard the international space station, as well as 35 minutes of exclusive bonus material and featurettes including new interviews with McCartney and his band, the pre-concert film, sound-check songs, and more. Among the musicians, celebrities, dignitaries and fans interviewed for the film; President Clinton, Tony Bennett, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Vedder, Alec Baldwin and many more.

Paul McCartney on WNYC

WNYC, co-presenting with NPR, brings you a special event tonight at 7:30pm as we broadcast the American premiere of Paul McCartney's classical oratorio "Ecce Cor Meum" (Behold My Heart), live from Carnegie Hall.Scored for choir and orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke's under Gavin Greenaway joins the Concert Chorale of New York and the American Boychoir, with soprano Kate Royal as soloist.Commissioned by Magdalen College, Oxford, McCartney's goal was to write "a choral piece which could be sung by young people the world over in the same way that Handel's Messiah is." The texts combine English and Latin, which McCartney concieved of after performing in a concert of composer John Tavener's work at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York. The resulting oratorio in four movements combines tradition and innovation into a cohesive and deeply affecting whole.WNYC's John Schaefer and NPR's Fred Child co-host the broadcast, which includes a live interview with Sir Paul during intermission.

An interview with Sir Paul McCartney
During the intermission of the US premiere of "Ecce Cor Meum" at Carnegie Hall on November 14, WNYC's John Schaefer and Fred Child of NPR interviewed Sir Paul McCartney, who spoke about the inspiration for his classical compositions.

Download the MP3

Paul's NY Signing

PAUL McCARTNEY CELEBRATES RELEASE OF NEW CONCERT DVD AND CLASSICAL CD WITH NEW YORK CITY SIGNINGWHO: PAUL McCARTNEY
WHAT: IN-STORE AUTOGRAPHY SIGNING
WHERE: VIRGIN MEGASTORE – TIMES SQUARE1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
WHEN: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th, 12:00-2:00PM


Well, Paul didn't start signing until 12:30. Most people waited outside Virgin for a LONG time to get inside just to get something signed by Paul. As luck would have it, Paul was giving 2 autographs out to each person.
The sad fact remained that even though people who had a wrist band were guaranteed to meet Paul... Over a hundred or so with wrist bands never got that chance due to time. The other thing that isn't fair to all the REAL Paul fans is that there are over 100 DVD's and CD's being sold on ebay right now with Paul's signature on them. I guess a lot of people saw the chance of meeting a legend like Paul McCartney just a fast way to make a buck. It's sickening is what it is! For those of you who are REAL Paul fans and got to meet Paul, cherish that CD/DVD, and consider yourself VERY lucky cause there were a lot of Paul McCartney fans who were let down that day.

The Space Within US (Out Now)

The Space Within US in out now! Order your copy NOW from Amazon for for ONLY $14.99! That's a saving of 40% if you buy it now! Don't wait, DVD prices go sky high after a couple months!
My fellow Canadian fans can order from Amazon.ca for only $13.98! That's a savings of 48%

In 2005, rock legend Paul McCartney crossed America with his record-breaking, sold out US tour. Now, harnessing the power of more than 25 hi-definition cameras and the thunder of 5.1 digital surround sound, PAUL McCARTNEY: THE SPACE WITHIN US captures this epic experience on DVD. Better than a front-row seat, this feature-length concert film takes viewers onto the stage and beyond, capturing Paul’s out of this world performance--which was beamed to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station who wake up to some "English Tea" with Paul and the band through a live feed from the tour.

PAUL McCARTNEY: THE SPACE WITHIN US FEATURES LIVE PERFORMANCES OF OVER 30 HITS INCLUDING: Magical Mystery Tour / Flaming Pie / Maybe I’m Amazed / Eleanor Rigby / Let Me Roll It / Drive My Car / Got To Get You Into My Life / Till There Was You / I Will / Fine Line / Good Day Sunshine / Fixing a Hole / Hey Jude / Too Many People / Penny Lane / English Tea / I’ve Got a Feeling / Follow Me / Jenny Wren / Helter Skelter / Yesterday / Get Back DVD Features: Sound Check Songs "Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On," "Friends to Go," and "How Kind of You"; More About US--Extensive Interviews with Paul McCartney, the Band, and the US Tour Crew; US Tour Pre-Show Film; On The Road With US; Liner Notes Introduction by Cameron Crowe; Song Selections...

Macca to pay 20 Mil for Beatrice?

Rumor: Paul McCartney to pay 20 million pounds for Beatrice?
News of the World is reporting that Paul McCartney has secretly offered his soon-to-be ex-wife, Heather Mills, an additional 20 milli0n pounds (on top of the 80 million pounds she is claiming in the divorce settlement) for custody of their daughter Beatrice, 3. Paul has apparently been discussing it with family members with a pal saying; "Paul only wants what's best for his little girl...she means everything to him." Paul has made this move in apparent fear that if Mills gets custody of Bea he will have great difficulty seeing her and that she will slowly cut him out of her life.
This information should be taken with a grain of salt. The couple are currently going through a divorce and as far ask I know, no annoucement has been made over who has filed, for what type of custody of Beatrice.

Macca Like An Icon

Sir Paul McCartney is among the 10 famous faces to be shortlisted for the nation's top living icon honour.
Only three women appear - singer Kate Bush, fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and model Kate Moss.
Other names vying for the top position are playwright Alan Bennett, actors Sir Michael Caine and Stephen Fry, and singers David Bowie and Morrissey.
Listeners of the BBC Two programme The Culture Show can vote for the winner, to be announced on 16 December.
"It's a striking list - no Queen, no Maggie, no JK Rowling, " said producer Edward Morgan.
"Best of all this is a totally open race. Any of the 10 could win," he added.
The shortlist of 10 was whittled down from a list of more than 500 people nominated by the BBC show's audience.

Cheers for Paul

SIR Paul McCartney, whose divorce from Heather Mills gets messier by the week, is making a scene everywhere he goes. Monday night, the former Beatle dined at Italian eatery Il Gattopardo on West 54th Street. When he got up to leave, patrons applauded and cheered - one even shouted, "We're with you all the way, Paul!" The circus continued yesterday when McCartney, after being chased by photographers and reporters, stopped his car in residential New Jersey to give an impromptu press conference, where he said, "Look, I am doing just fine. I just need some time to myself."

McCartney to sign CD's

Paul McCartney will appear in person sign copies of his new EMI Classics CD at the Times Square Virgin Megastore on Monday, November 13.
Ecce Cor Meum ("Behold My Heart") is McCartney's fourth classical album since the Liverpool Oratorio was released in 1991. He worked on the piece, a commission from Magdalen College, Oxford, for more than eight years.
Anthony Smith, president of Magdalen College from 1998 to 2005, wanted "a choral piece which could be sung by young people the world over, in the same way that Handel's Messiah is."
The four-movement work for chorus and orchestra received its world premiere performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on November 3; the U.S. premiere performance is at New York's Carnegie Hall on November 14.
The singer will also sign copies of a DVD called Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us, a two-hour feature-length film of new performance footage from the 2005 "US" tour.
The signing will begin at 12 noon.

McCartney doesn't hold a grudge.

NEW YORK — Paul McCartney said Saturday he bears no grudge against his estranged second wife — despite acrimonious divorce proceedings that have seen lurid allegations about their marriage reported across the world.
The 64-year-old former Beatle said the break up — seized on in Britain as the most high-profile split since Prince Charles and Princess Diana parted ways a decade ago — had left him saddened, but determined to act with dignity.
McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney, a 38-year-old anti-land mine campaigner, announced their separation in May and began divorce proceedings in July. They have a 3-year-old daughter, Beatrice.
"There are certain things in life that are personal, and I think a relationship with a partner is intensely personal, and I prefer to keep it that way," McCartney told British Broadcasting Corp. radio in an interview broadcast Saturday.
"When you are going through difficulties, I think the thing to do for the sake of all the people concerned is to keep a certain dignity and remember that it is a private affair, and that way, you will probably get through it better," he said.McCartney said keeping details of the divorce private would "put less noses out of joint, and I think it is a more dignified way to go about it."
He was interviewed Friday, following the premiere of his classical composition Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) at London's Royal Albert Hall, the BBC said. He said the work was inspired by the death of his first wife, Linda, from breast cancer in 1998.
Mills McCartney last month said she would take legal action against a number of British newspapers who published disparaging claims about her husband, alleged to have been contained in divorce court papers drawn up on her behalf.
Her law firm, Mishcon de Reya, said she would sue British tabloid The Sun, and newspapers Daily Mail and Evening Standard.
McCartney's lawyers said he would vigorously defend himself against the allegations that he had physically abused his second wife.
"Life goes on, I do not hold grudges against anyone, I don't blame anyone for the sadnesses that have happened to me. I am sad about them because it would stupid to be otherwise," McCartney said. "I think life goes on, and it is what you make of it, so I am pretty optimistic.

Paul McCartney Signing in NY

PAUL McCARTNEY CELEBRATES RELEASE OF NEW CONCERT DVD AND CLASSICAL CD WITH NEW YORK CITY SIGNING

WHO: PAUL McCARTNEY
WHAT: IN-STORE AUTOGRAPHY SIGNING
WHERE: VIRGIN MEGASTORE – TIMES SQUARE
1540 BroadwayNew York, NY 10036
WHEN: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th
12:00PM SIGNING BEGINS
PAUL McCARTNEY'S ECCE COR MEUM (BEHOLD MY HEART) (EMI CLASSICS)Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) is Paul's fourth classical album since his first in 1991. The album has been more than eight years in the making and its origins follow in the historic tradition of composers that have been commissioned to write music for the world-renowned Magdalen College Oxford. Paul was specially invited by Anthony Smith (President of Magdalen College 1998 - 2005) to compose something to set the seal on a new concert hall for the college. His hope was for 'a choral piece which could be sung by young people the world over, in the same way that Handel's Messiah is'. Ecce Cor Meum was released on September 26th, with a subsequent 'limited edition' version released on October 17th. The U.S. Premiere performance is at Carnegie Hall on November 14th. 'PAUL McCARTNEY: THE SPACE WITHIN US' DVD (A&E Home Video)The Paul McCartney: The Space Within US is a two-hour epic concert experience of never-before released performance footage from 2005 'US' Tour. The feature-length concert film delivers live performances of more than two dozen Beatles, Wings and McCartney solo classics spanning. It includes footage from Paul's wake-up call to the international space station, as well as 35 minutes of exclusive bonus material and new interviews with McCartney and his band, a pre-concert film, footage from sound-checks, and more.

Preview "LOVE"

AS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD THEM BEFORE
The new album LOVE is coming - and to coincide with the release, you can hear an exclusive preview of four of the tracks at TheBeatles.com!
Strawberry Fields Forever Lady Madonna Octopus's Garden While My Guitar Gently Weeps
As a registered member of thebeatles.com, your email address will give you access to the music - just click HERE for the homepage and follow the on-screen instructions.
ABOUT THE ALBUM
The album features 26 tracks re-worked by George and Giles Martin for the LOVE show in Las Vegas, an incredible music and visual experience created out of the collaboration between The Beatles and Cirque Du Soleil. The result is an unprecedented approach to the music.
LOVE will be released on Monday November 20th. The stereo CD will contain 78 minutes of music, and features 26 tracks.
Simultaneously released will be a special 2 disc edition that will include the stereo CD and an Audio only DVD containing a slightly extended version in amazing 5.1 surround sound.
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE FOUR EXCLUSIVE TRACKS
You can pre-order the album from your local retailer or from the official online store here now:THE BEATLES STORE
Many thanks.
TheBeatles.com

The Space Within US Review

By Gloria Goodale
BILL BERNSTEIN/A&E Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us (A&E Networks, Saturday, 10 p.m. EST): Beatlemaniac alert! Take a Magical Mystery detour from the divorce headlines dogging Sir Paul and experience the sheer fun and listening pleasure of classic Lennon/McCartney songs, as well as a sprinkling of Wings and solo McCartney material. While it provides plenty of music, this hour-long documentary based on McCartney's 2005 US tour is more of a concept film than a traditional concert flick. It opens with the former Beatle musing about the nature of creativity, outer space, and the scientific underpinnings of music. This cosmic perspective plays out in McCartney's live, onstage musical wake-up call of "Good Day Sunshine" to the International Space Station during a California concert. The hour includes an eclectic mix of notables reminiscing (including President Clinton and Tony Bennett) as well as numerous surprisingly sweet meet-and-greets with McCartney and his starstruck fans. This is the best sort of family entertainment, one that allows multiple generations to bond over a genuine cultural icon. Watch it and sing along with the ecstatic crowds filmed by more than 25 HD cameras. Even if you can remember a time when this music didn't exist, why would you want to? (This program will be released in an enhanced, two-hour DVD format on Nov. 14). Grade: A

Paul and Linda marriage claims 'rubbish', says Carla

Writer and vegetarian campaigner Carla Lane has spoken out about Paul McCartney's first marriage - saying there were no problems.She made the comments after it was suggested that Linda McCartney discussed the relationship in tapes with her friend Peter Cox.Lane, 69, who was one of Linda's best friends, said: "It's just a load of rubbish."All I say is, if Paul did anything that was not nice, Linda would have told me, and she never did."She told Radio 4's Woman's Hour: "Linda told me all things. I mean, if he had a little mood she would say 'oh, he's in a mood', you know."But she never did say anything that gave me the impression that she didn't care about him."The former Beatle's marriage to Linda, who died in 1998 from cancer, was believed to be one of the strongest in showbusiness.This weekend McCartney and estranged wife Heather Mills put aside their differences to attend their daughter Beatrice's third birthday party.McCartney, 64, recently spoke of his increasingly bitter divorce, saying it was a "very difficult" time for him.Speaking before the storm caused by the anonymous leaking of legal papers containing allegations that he mistreated Heather, he said he was hoping for a "happy resolution".

The Best Seats for the Best Fans

-FANS ONLY TICKET OFFER FOR ECCE COR MEUM PREMIERE

The World Premiere performance of Ecce Cor Meum takes place this Friday November 3rd at The Royal Albert Hall in London and we want to make sure Paul’s fans get the best seats in the house! Having just finished allocating tickets for Paul's guests, we have realised that we have some of the very best seats left over for this very special evening. Therefore, we want to offer them to YOU, the McCartney fanbase of PM.com, instead of just putting them back on sale to the general public. There will be a limited booking period so be sure to get in there first! The PM.com ticket offer works as follows:
PM.com users should call the main Royal Albert Hall box office from 9am tomorrow morning (31/10/06), and identify themselves as 'PM.com Subscribers'. You will then be offered the exclusive opportunity to purchase these last remaining best few seats. THE IMPORTANT DETAILS Royal Albert Hall Main Box Office No: 0207 589 8212
ID Code : 'PM.com Subscribers' Offer expires: Wednesday November 1st, 1pm (GMT)

Stella rages against stepmother

Stella McCartney flew into a rage, screaming "I'll kill the bitch" during her father Paul McCartney's bitter divorce war with his second wife, a British newspaper has reported.

Pregnant Stella McCartney reportedly had to be restrained by the former Beatle at the family home upon hearing that Heather Mills had claimed Sir Paul hit his first wife, Linda, who is Stella's late mother.

"I can't believe what she's doing, I'm going to kill her," a source quoted Stella as saying in Sunday's News of the World.

"She's been a manipulative cow from day one.

"The cow won't be happy until she destroys all of us - and our memories of our mother."

McCartney and Mills, 37, had their first face-to-face meeting in more than four months on Saturday at their daughter Beatrice's third birthday party, but kept their distance from one another.

Meanwhile, a friend of Linda said McCartney and Linda's marriage was not as idyllic as many believed and she sometimes became depressed about their relationship.

McCartney was controlling and Linda sometimes thought of leaving the marriage, Peter Cox told the Mail on Sunday in London.

"There were moments when Linda would feel deeply unhappy and depressed about her marriage," said Cox, who has audio tapes that Linda made about her life and relationship with McCartney while working with Cox on a vegetarian cookbook.

"Every marriage has its ups and downs, of course. In her low moments, the idea of leaving him did cross her mind, but she immediately rejected it.

"Her family was the most important thing in her life and there was no way she'd give them up. At the low points, she did feel trapped."

Cox has given an undertaking to McCartney's lawyers that he will not divulge the contents of the tapes. However, there has been speculation that they might yet play a part in the former Beatle's increasingly bitter divorce from Mills.

Mills alleges that McCartney was violent towards her during their four-year marriage, claims he has vigorously denied.

British newspapers reported last week that Mills, a former model, had told friends she believed she had damning information about McCartney and Linda's 29-year marriage, including that he attacked her.

Linda died of breast cancer in 1998.

The Mail on Sunday said it was not thought Linda referred to domestic abuse on any of the 19 tapes she made and gave to Cox.

Cox said McCartney had "a darker side and could be very controlling. Linda often had to dance attendance upon him. He bossed her around".

"It struck me that she didn't have ready access to money," he said.

"For instance, I would often lend her a fiver or a tenner for groceries."

But he said he had no doubt Linda loved McCartney.

"Whatever the strange dynamic of their relationship, Linda was the only one Paul could open up to," said Cox.

"She was like a mother to him. I have no doubt she loved him enormously, despite their problems."

McCartney Mess End of Era for Some Fans

'You can knit a sweater by the fireside, Sunday mornings go for a ride.' It was an idyllic picture of marriage in the golden years that Paul McCartney sang of in the 1967 Beatles hit 'When I'm 64.'

It also was an image that McCartney _ now 64, as it happens _ epitomized in his own life for years, showing a turbulent world that even a rock star could have what was by all appearances a loving, stable, long-lasting family life with his first wife, Linda, ending only with her death from cancer in 1998.

Now, British tabloids are buzzing with unsavory allegations connected to the sensational divorce of McCartney and his second wife, Heather Mills McCartney, with unsubstantiated claims flying of physical abuse, callousness, an alleged assault with a broken wine glass by him, a bottle of ketchup thrown by her.

There may well not be an iota of truth among them. Yet the public airing of this nasty dispute is depressing to many who've followed McCartney _ the optimistic one who wanted to 'fill the world with silly love songs' _ for four decades of music and life (and briefly, rumored death.) For some of these fans, it even signals an end to an arc that began with heady innocence, then met tragedy with the murder of John Lennon, more sadness with the death of George Harrison, and now, on a smaller scale, Paul's ugly mess.

'I am amazed, and yet not really surprised, that their lives have spiraled this way,' says John Pisani, a longtime fan who, at 57, is just seven years younger than Paul and part of the Baby Boomer generation that grew up with the Beatles. 'It kind of mirrors the way the world has changed for all of us, the way we feel about our lives. Their early music was so innocent. And now, life is so insane.'

'It just makes sense to me that Paul is going through this,' said Pisani, a housepainter in Cape Cod, Mass. 'But I wouldn't wish it on anybody. And I feel bad for both of them.'

Many people find the mere discussion distasteful, preferring to let the sordid case speak for itself in the tabloids. 'It's just sad, for all this to go so bad so quickly,' said Jason Fine, deputy managing editor at Rolling Stone magazine. Like others interviewed, he noted how so many long admired McCartney for the strength of his first marriage.

'They were such a unit,' Fine says. 'They had made it through those times when so many people got divorced. And they worked together, too _ it was a partnership.'

Also unfortunate, Fine says, is that the messy divorce comes at a time when McCartney, one of two surviving Beatles along with Ringo Starr, is on a creative upswing, with a well-received album last year, 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,' that was 'really a refreshing record.'

'He seems to have come back into the creative spotlight,' says Fine. 'It's a shame that this is happening now.'

A shame, but will this affect McCartney's image or legacy in any lasting way? Hardly likely, says Bruce Spizer, author of six books about the Beatles.

'Most people understand that Paul, like any person, has faults, but they know him as a family man, based on the wonderful marriage he had with Linda,' said Spizer. 'So they would take all this with extreme skepticism.' Of the Beatles fans he's heard discussing it, he says a good 90 percent don't believe the reported allegations against Paul.

Steven Beer, an entertainment attorney in New York, falls into that camp. 'I believe you can't always accept what you read or hear,' says Beer, 47. 'What we're seeing here is just the negative gamesmanship that divorce brings. Maybe he had bad judgment in his choice of a partner, but in my mind, Paul McCartney continues to be a rock 'n' roll icon with a positive character.

'He's a responsible Dad,' Beer adds. 'He doted on his wife Linda. He even put her in his band! What more could you want? He deserves a medal for that.'

Certainly McCartney isn't the first celebrity to have dirty laundry aired from a relationship gone sour. And yet if the celebrity is well-liked _ or in the case of a Beatle, loved _ these scandals tend to be mere blips on the screen, says Ken Baker, West Coast executive editor of the celebrity magazine US Weekly.

'The public will forgive a beloved celebrity for just about anything, save murder,' said Baker. 'It's this mesmerizing force that celebrities have. People see them as part of their extended family.'

'The world loves Paul, and people are gonna love Paul pretty much whatever they read,' he said. And in a he-said she-said matchup, it's no contest: 'People are going to believe the person they like and the person they know.'

Kenyon Phillips, 31, finds it hard to believe all the messy details reported by the media, basically because McCartney, in his eyes, was maybe too nice _ a 'wimp,' actually.

'Paul was more the goody-goody,' says Phillips, founder of a New Wave band called Unisex Salon. 'He was never the cool one.' That, he says, was Lennon, who had 'that air of menace. It was sexy, and dangerous.'

However the divorce plays out, fans like Pisani, the housepainter in Massachusetts, hope that one thing won't be forgotten: the Beatles' music.

'Their music came into our lives,' he said. 'If it hadn't, we'd be even more crazy now. It's so easy to focus on the scandal. But it's important not to forget the wonderfulness of what they did create.

'It's just so important to remember what felt good about a Beatles song.'

McCartney moves to silence Linda's audio tapes during divorce battle

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, who is in the midst of an acrimonious divorce battle with his second wife, Heather Mills, has reportedly warned his late first wife Linda's close pal Peter Cox, that he might have to face legal action if the contents of her audio tapes were disclosed.


Cox, who co-wrote the book 'Linda McCartney's Home Cooking' in 1989, was given the 15 cassettes containing an audio record of her ideas.

According to British newspaper the Daily Mirror, the 20-hour long recording also contain revelations of her marriage to McCartney, which he now wants to keep secret in the light of his bitter divorce battle with estranged wife Heather Mills.

An insider has revealed that McCartney's management company MPL Communications and Cox have now entered into an agreement to keep the content of audio tapes confidential.

"They're dynamite. Linda begins to unburden her troubles and the tapes become an audio diary," Contactmusic quoted the source as saying.

"It's a private and emotional confessional. She vents feelings which she'd not dared share even with her closest loved ones. She found the tapes cathartic. Mr Cox has been silenced and the tapes remain a secret," the source added.