Just because Leona Lewis and former Led-head Jimmy Page were able to deliver their cock rock anthem “Whole Lotta Love” at the Beijing Olympics a few days back with nary a critical ear among the 90,000 present, the world is hardly a Western pop free-for-all.
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Just because Leona Lewis and former Led-head Jimmy Page were able to deliver their cock rock anthem “Whole Lotta Love” at the Beijing Olympics a few days back with nary a critical ear among the 90,000 present, the world is hardly a Western pop free-for-all. Between China’s ban of Björk and iTunes for, apparently, their pro-Tibetan stance, and Iran’s switcheroo for Irish singer Chris de Burgh, cold shoulders are being tossed with ease across the globe.
One more who has seemingly managed to slice through the red tape, though, is Paul McCartney, who is said to be scheduled for a performance in Tel Aviv on September 25 following more than 40 years since The Beatles were banned entry for fear their lyrical content might corrupt Israeli youth. While the nation has paraded reports in local news of the show, McCartney’s publicist Stuart Bell has cautioned the Associated Press that nothing is set in stone yet as plans have not been officially confirmed. However, the announcement does come after a prior McCartney engagement was altogether canceled earlier this year. That after Israel reportedly sent apologies to McCartney, Ringo Star, as well as John Lennon and George Harrison’s widows, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. Supposed to take place in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park that can accommodate up to 70,000 people-a ways short of McCartney’s standard requirement of venues of at least 250,000 seats-and is expected to rake in just under $3 million, even before sponsorships have been taken into account. But with just more than a month left on the calendar before the big day, there’s no telling if or when money will exchange hands to launch the concert into full swing.
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