McCartney may be on way to Israel

Appearance would come 43 years after The Beatles were denied permits to perform in Israel on grounds that their music might corrupt country's morals.

By DAVID BRINN
mccartney 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
mccartney 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
Forty-three years after The Beatles were booked and then denied the proper permits to perform in Israel on the grounds that their music might corrupt the country's morals, a member of the Fab Four may be getting a "Ticket to Ride" to play some "Silly Love Songs" in the Holy Land. According to Yediot Aharonot, the 66-year-old Paul McCartney is slated to perform in a huge outdoor show in the Tel Aviv area in late September. While a representative of events producer David Zarzevski said, "we're not ready to talk to reporters yet," an industry source close to the negotiations told The Jerusalem Post there's "a strong likelihood the show will happen." Zarzevski, who produces the annual Eilat Jazz Festival, has recently promoted shows by visiting American artists Eryka Bhadu and Lauryn Hill. But according to the source, producing the McCartney show is a whole different ball game, with the music legend's fee and production costs tallying over $4 million. "A show like this has a 100 percent chance of selling out, and a promoter can definitely still make money on a show like that - the profit would be around $2m., before taxes," the source said. According to Yediot, which obtained a copy of McCartney's technical requirements, the performer's 100-person production team requires special security, an extra-large stage and expansive sound system, and additions like two vegetarian kitchens at the show's location. Earlier this month, the British media reported that McCartney was set to announce a two-year world tour, which would be his farewell from performing in order to spend more time with his four-year-old daughter Beatrice, his only child from ex-wife Heather Mills. Following a stormy divorce, the couple reached a final settlement in March. According to reports, the tour would consist of over 100 shows and McCartney would receive nearly $2m. for each performance. Israeli Ambassador to Britain Ron Prossor sent a letter to McCartney and the other surviving Beatle, Ringo Starr, earlier this year inviting them to perform in Israel for its 60th birthday. "We should like to take this opportunity to correct the historic omission which to our great regret occurred in 1965 when you were invited to Israel," Prossor wrote. Now we "Wait" to see if all our loving is reciprocated and McCartney and Israel will finally "Come Together." (Yes, we know John wrote that one...)