Paul McCartney took to social media to condemn the police killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man in Minneapolis. McCartney, who along with Stevie Wonder, called for racial harmony and acceptance in their 1982 duet “Ebony And Ivory,” had stronger words this time out regarding racial inequality.
McCartney's post read:
As we continue to see the protests and demonstrations across the world, I know many of us want to know just what we can be doing to help. None of us have all the answers and there is no quick fix but we need change. We all need to work together to overcome racism in any form. We need to learn more, listen more, talk more, educate ourselves and, above all, take action.
McCartney then shares an experience he had with The Beatles during the band’s 1964 U.S. tour.
In 1964 The Beatles were due to play Jacksonville in the US and we found out that it was going to be to a segregated audience. It felt wrong. We said 'We’re not doing that!' And the concert we did do was to their first non-segregated audience. We then made sure this was in our contract. To us it seemed like common sense.
I feel sick and angry that here we are almost 60 years later and the world is in shock at the horrific scenes of the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of police racism, along with the countless others that came before.
All of us here support and stand alongside all those who are protesting and raising their voices at this time. I want justice for George Floyd’s family, I want justice for all those who have died and suffered. Saying nothing is not an option.
Love Paul McCartney
Ringo Starr re-posted McCartney's message on his own social media accounts and added:
As my brother Paul said The Beatles always stood for equal rights & justice and I’ve never stopped working for peace & love ever since. #blacklivesmatter, #peaceispossible – I send my peace love & continuous support to everyone marching & speaking up for justice & a better world.
At the premiere of the Beatles' 2016 Ron Howard-directed Eight Days A Week: The Touring Years documentary, Paul McCartney spoke about the group's ultimatum to promoters prior to hitting the stage for their September 11th, 1964 Jacksonville, Florida concert: “There were some things that we'd half-forgotten. Like, we refused to play a show in Jacksonville in the south of America because we heard it was segregated, and blacks on one side and whites on the other. And we said, 'Well, that's stupid, so we won't play it.' And we didn't and they had to change the rules. So, it was the first integrated show that Jacksonville had had. So, y'know, looking back now — that's very cool.”
IN OTHER McCARTNEY-RELATED NEWS
The pack shot for Paul McCartney's upcoming “super deluxe” archival box set for 1997's Flaming Pie has hit the net.
Although no specific official details have been provided, what is known is that the package will feature five CD's and a pair of DVD's, include lyric sheets, arrangements notes, photos, along with a set of McCartney fan Club Sandwich magazines, along with several high-end photo books, and assorted ephemera.
Judging from various overseas price listings, the package is looking to run fans over $200. An official announcement is expected this week.
ALSO. . .
Abbey Road Studios is back in business after 10 weeks. The legendary London recording complex made famous for being the home base for both the Beatles and Pink Floyd — among countless others — was forced to close its doors for the first time in 90 years due to Covid-19.
The London Evening Standard reported that with social distancing measures firmly in place, the studio was employed “to conduct a virtual recording session with jazz star Melody Gardot — and an entire orchestra.”
