President Barack Obama Presents Sir Paul McCartney the Gershwin Prize
Sir Paul McCartney Serenades Michelle Obama While Malia and Sasha Watch Dad Sing
The 2010 PBS broadcast of In Performance at the White Housefeatured performances and tributes honoring Sir Paul McCartney by the Jonas Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Lang Lang, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, Jack White, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Seinfeld and Faith Hill. Elvis Costello gave tribute to Sir Paul McCartney with his rendition of Penny Lane followed by Stevie Wonder singing Ebony and Ivory with Sir Paul.
During the presentation of the Gershwin Prize, President Barack Obama shared with the distinguished White House guests that Sir Paul McCartney was playing the same bass guitar at this White House concert that he did when The Beatles exploded onto the American music scene when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. Paul McCartney told President Obama that he originally paid about 30 pounds for that guitar but he suspects it is worth a bit more now.
President Obama also shared a bit of Rock 'N Roll Paul McCartney history with the audience that seemed to even amaze Sir Paul himself. Paul McCartney has written hundreds of songs in his almost 5 decade-long legendary career. Almost 200 of those songs made the charts and collectively stayed on the charts for 32 years. President Obama also shared with us the Sir Paul McCartney's father used to play Gershwin songs on the piano to young Paul from Liverpool.
During one of the most personal performances of the evening is when Sir Paul McCartney serenaded Michelle Obama with his song Michelle while Sasha and Malia watched Dad sing along with Sir Paul to Mom. At the end of the performance, Sir Paul said he probably will be the only man in history punched out by a President of the United States. Then, President Obama and the all-star cast performed Hey Jude with Sir Paul.
It is hard to imagine how parents of young pre-teens today would explain the significance of how The Beatles changed the world with their music. How do you grasp the shear genius of four young men from England who, by fate, met and worked together in a way that no other musical group has ever done or will ever do again in Rock 'N Roll music history? How do you expect young girls to enjoy a White House concert with a 70-year old star? How do you share with your young girls that Paul McCartney sang your favorite love song of Mom and Dad? EEWWEE - more information than we want to know!
That was the magic of In Performance at the White House. Congratulations to Sir Paul McCartney, the 2010 recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Music. You will live in our Baby Boomer hearts forever!
Sources:
In Performance at the White House, PBS
http://www.pbs.org/inperformanceatthewhitehouse/
YouTube
Sir Paul McCartney and President Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuPXpKPh4Uw
YouTube
Paul McCartney Sings Michelle to Michelle Obama at White House
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCfWdeBwTR4
YouTube
President Obama Sings Hey Jude with Sir Paul McCartney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvorqcgcdtw&feature=related
YouTube
The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8pX_nHPduo
Paul Simon Honored as First Annual Recipient of Gershwin Award
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/295646/paul_simon_honored_as_first_annual.html?cat=33
White House Photo and Video of President Obama Honoring Sir Paul McCartney
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-honors-paul-mccartney
Published by Aly Adair
Aly Adair is an Air Force Veteran with a career in teaching and educational publishing. Aly has an MBA and is a former small business owner. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article and great read!
Sorry to have missed this one!