Paul McCartney asked Vladimir Putin to release Greenpeace prisoners by quoting him Beatles lyrics

Beyoncé and Paul McCartney.The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer covers the 1968 Beatles beauty “Blackbird” — written by Macca, although credited to both McCartney and John Lennon — on her countrified new album “Cowboy Carter” that was released last Friday to rave reviews (including mine) and record-shattering streams.Bey’s honey- and harmony-coated rendition of “The White Album” classic — featuring African-American female country singers Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts making like Destiny’s Southern Child — is a revelation that repurposes the song from a black female perspective.And Sir Paul has given Beyonce’s “Blackbird” — which is styled as “Blackbiird” on “Cowboy Carter” — the most royal of blessings.“I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place.

Jenelle Riley Deputy Awards and Features Editor How do you play someone as notorious as Vladimir Putin? It would be easy to telegraph his cruelty, to turn him into a mustache-twirling villain. Or to give over entirely to caricature, without capturing what’s beneath the surface. Will Keen, who embodies the president of Russia in Peter Morgan’s latest play, “Patriots,” avoids these pitfalls.

Beyoncé used The Beatles’ original ‘Blackbird’ backing track in her cover of the song, recorded for ‘Cowboy Carter’.As well as covering the song for her new country album, it turns out the rendition of the band’s 1968 track are more similar than first thought – with it being revealed that the ‘Cowboy Carter’ version uses instrumental elements taken directly from the Beatles’ original master recording.According to Variety, that was confirmed by a representative for Beyoncé, who cited the singer’s team as well as other sourcesThe credits for the album have been gradually shared since the album’s release last week (March 29), and Paul McCartney is listed as playing guitar on the song, as well as one of the producers. However, there is no indication in the wording of the credits that his work on the track is taken from the 56-year-old original.Bey’s own spin on the song sees it renamed as ‘Blackbiird’ – making a nod to the album’s ‘Act II’ theme.

It's played host to Paul McCartney, U2, Blondie, New Order and a legendary gig by The Smiths. And now bands are to return to the stage at Maxwell Hall at Salford University for the first time in 10 years.

Paul McCartney has revealed how he came up the title of The Beatles‘ iconic album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.Speaking about the 1967 record on a recent episode of his podcast Paul McCartney: A Life In Lyrics, McCartney said that it happened after a misunderstanding with one of his road crew.“I was with our roadie Mal [Evans], a big bear of a man,” he said.

A suspect wanted in connection with the murder of a Manchester man in Ukraine has been named. Daniel Burke had gone to suport the resistance against Russia when he was fatally shot from behind, an inquest hearing was told. But Daniel did not die in a theatre of war.

Paul McCartney for being “too unflattering” is now headed to auction.The artwork in question is a wooden sculpture created by Wilfrid Wood, which was originally set to be released as part of the 2024 ‘Secret 7’ vinyl project – in a bid to raise money for War Child.The project runs alongside the host of gigs that War Child puts on to raise money for the charity, and consists of various artists releasing a limited edition 7” record for a specific track, which are later auctioned off.Between 2012 and 2020, it has raised over £500,000 for good causes. Previous sleeve designers include the likes of Ai Weiwei, Sir Peter Blake, Yoko Ono, David Shrigley, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Martin Parr and more.This year, musicians including Celeste, Hozier, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Specials, The Chemical Brothers and Paul McCartney were all involved in the campaign, and all records were exhibited and free to view at the NOW Gallery between March 2 to 17.However, for the latter, the single was withdrawn after the Beatles bassist took issue with how he was depicted in the artwork.The wooden sculpture was banned from the exhibition after the rock veteran deemed it “too unflattering”, according to the artist.

Coronation Street's Amy Robbins, who plays Daisy Midgeley's (Charlotte Jordan) estranged mum Christina Boyd, was so excited to join the cast that she cried when she first heard she got the part. Christina made her first appearance on the show last year and is gearing up to strut down those famous cobbles once more. But what might be a surprise to some is that this isn't Amy's first time starring in a soap.

Bruce Springsteen is set to become a Fellow of The Ivors Academy – making him the first international songwriter to receive the honour.Announced today (March 25), The Boss is set to receive the award at this year’s instalment of the Ivors, which will take place at Grosvenor House in London on Thursday, May 23.Becoming an Academy Fellow is the highest honour the organisation bestows, and with it, the iconic singer, songwriter and guitar becomes the first-ever international songwriter that the Academy has inducted into Fellowship in its 80-year history.“I’m proud to be the first international songwriter to be recognised by The Ivors Academy. In addition to recognising my songwriting, the award stands as a tribute to the fans and friends who have supported me and my work for the last fifty years,” Springsteen said of the announcement.

a group of four gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow, and used incendiary devices to set the venue ablaze. The incident occurred ahead of a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic. It has become the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia since 2004, and the worst ever in the country’s capital.

Refresh for updates…At least 40 people are dead and 100 others wounded after multiple gunmen attacked a concert hall in Moscow today, Russia‘s Federal Security Service reports. The Associated Press said authorities are investigating the incident as terrorism — the country’s worst in several years.

The three major news networks largely bypassed live coverage of the latest chapter in a House GOP-led inquiry of whether to impeach President Joe Biden.

pic.twitter.com/pGceMRn26t— Josh Pieters (@joshua_pieters) March 14, 2024In a clip of Carlson’s interview with Manners, he introduces him by saying: “We’ve done our best to verify that your identity is what you say it is. You’re not a fake [Alexei] Navalny or doing a prank.” At the end of the interview, he said: “That was great, and it was really interesting, too.

EXCLUSIVE: Charlotte Le Bon (Falcon Lake) has joined Season 3 of HBO‘s The White Lotus in a role that is being recast. She is replacing Francesca Corney, who had been originally tapped for the part, sources close to production tell Deadline. HBO would not comment but we hear that the producers felt they needed someone who played older. Details regarding the character are being kept under wraps.

Russian hackers reportedly jammed the signal on an RAF plane carrying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on a visit to Poland.

Paul McCartney, The Eagles, Bon Jovi, Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow and many more will celebrate the legacy of legendary laid-back rocker Jimmy Buffett in concert at Los Angeles, CA’s Hollywood Bowl.Other big acts at the show, dubbed ‘Keep The Party Going,’ include Zac Brown, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church and Jack Johnson.Pitbull and other special guests to be announced later are slated to perform as well.And if you want to pay tribute to the man who brought the world “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with some of the biggest names in music, tickets can be snatched up as soon as today.Although inventory isn’t available on Ticketmaster until Friday, March 15, fans who want to ensure they have tickets ahead of time can purchase on sites like Vivid Seats before tickets are officially on sale.Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.A complete breakdown of all the best ticket prices by sections at the Hollywood Bowl can be found below.(Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and include additional fees at checkout.)Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

EXCLUSIVE: Vladimir Putin‘s 10-year-old battle with a group of Greenpeace protestors that attracted the attention of none other than Paul McCartney is to be spotlighted in a BBC documentary series.

Glastonbury Festival's 2024 line-up has finally been revealed. Festival-goers are gearing up to return to Worthy Farm this June to watch their favourite artists perform in the summer sun. Shania Twain will play the legends slot at Glastonbury while British singer Dua Lipa, rock band Coldplay and American singer SZA were announced as this year’s headliners.

Leonid Volkov, the former chief of staff of late Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, was attacked on Tuesday outside his house in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Jimmy Buffett has been announced, featuring a stacked line-up led by Paul McCartney and Eagles – find out more below.The Keep The Party Going: A Tribute To Jimmy Buffet concert was announced last night (March 11) via Buffett’s official social media accounts. Per the post, the single-night concert will take place on April 11 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California.Paul McCartney and Eagles top the bill for the tribute concert, which will also feature performances from the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Zac Brown, Jackson Browne, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney and more.Also set to perform are Scotty Emerick, Jack Johnson, Caroline Jones, Mac McAnally, Jake Owen, Pitbull, Jake Shimabukuro and The Coral Reefer Band.