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Paul McCartney says being famous now is not the same as during the Beatles days

In an interview Thursday, Paul McCartney told BBC Radio 4 that being famous is a bit different now than it was for the Beatles.

"When we started out in the old days, you were looking to be famous via being very talented, working hard and sort of coming up through the ranks. I think now people are looking at what's sold to them is that they'll have security. They'll have a limo and they're gonna have a producer. It's this sort of modern package which I think is a little bit scary because I for one don't like all of that. I don't like limos." 

But he said he likes being famous. "It's a weight I'm happy to have, to carry. ... And it's a little bit sort of unseemly once you get famous. ... The weight of fame that you're talking about can get pretty annoying."

But McCartney said he knows how to create a space when he needs to.

"And most people, in fact, 99.9 percent of people, are very understanding. Because they understand privacy," he said.

He also detailed why he decided to contribute an essay on Meat Free Mondays to a Ether Books new iPhone app.

"A friend of mine started talking to me about this and said, 'We're doing an app.' And I said, "Well, what is it?' 'And she said, 'Well, if, for instance, you're on the train in the morning, and you don't want to read a huge piece. And you sort of, maybe, 15 or 20 minutes read of something good, we're going to supply that." And also, it's a great outlet for short stories, which many authors don't have that outlet as available as they used to with some of the great magazines that would take those."

When informed his essay was leading all the others in sales, he said he was surprised.

"She said I was racing up the charts. I didn't know I was number 1," he said.

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Steve Marinucci's website, Abbeyrd's Beatles Page - http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net - is widely regarded as the most accurate Beatle news source on the internet. A former journalist for over 30 years at the San Jose Mercury News, he has interviewed celebrities including Yoko Ono, Bruce Johnston and...

Comments

  • paulb 2 years ago

    Early in the interview when Paul talks about "not being techie," he mentions he is about to work on "old recordings on an old 4-track", so maybe he is revisiting some demos for future release.

  • Rock Singer 2 years ago

    paulb , thats very possible with McCartneys new relationship with Concord Records and the rerelease of his old catalog coming soon.

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