Award of Merit (1986)

 

January 27, 1986

Paul McCartney

Associated Press

January 10, 1986

    Former Beatle Paul McCartney will be honored with the Special Award of Merit during the 13th annual presentation of the American Music Awards, a spokesman for the show said Thursday.

     McCartney will accept the award by satellite connection from London during the television broadcast of the show, January 27, said publicist Paul Shefrin.  The Award of Merit winner is selected by a blue ribbon panel, unlike the other American Music Award winners, who are selected by polling music buyers. 

    Shefrin said the merit award recognizes outstanding contributions over a long period of time to the musical entertainment of the American public. The inscription on the award will state that for more than two decades, McCartney has been responsible for enormous changes in the sound and content of music.

Live Aid

July 13, 1985
 

Live 8 Memories

 July 2, 2005 

Live Aid turns 35 today

There has been a lot of talk today about the 35th anniversary of Live Aid on July 13, 1985.   If you were around 35 years ago, you will know that Live Aid was a pretty big deal.     Just about anyone who was anyone in music at the time (except for Michael Jackson) was involved in this charity concert.   It was broadcast live around the world and I think why people remember it so much is because it was on MTV with SO many major superstars.   (That is just my opinion)

It was also a big day for Beatle fans.  The 1980s had been a pretty quiet time for fans.   After John's murder, things were just sad.   But Paul McCartney came out and performed for Live Aid.  It was the first time Paul had performed live since 1979.   For the first time in so long, Paul's fans had something to be excited about. 

And then the unthinkable happens.   Paul is at the piano and his microphone is not working.  For two full minutes, Paul is on live television and those watching at home cannot hear him.    It is obvious he is singing "Let it Be" because the concert-goers are singing it.   Paul looks good with a little gray hair starting to show.  Finally, at two minutes into the performance, Paul's microphone suddenly starts to work and he can be heard singing the chorus of "Let it Be."   He sounds good, maybe a little nervous, but he sounds good.   Linda was there too --- taking photographs on the stage.

Paul is seen soon after for the finale of  "Do They Know It's Christmas."    Paul can be spotted jumping up and down and dancing around during the verses with Linda next to him.   Eventually, he gets up closer and shares a microphone with Bono. 

Paul didn't want the historical moment of him singing "Let it Be" to be shown again with the microphone issues.  Being Paul the perfectionist that he is,  he went into a studio on July 14 and re-recorded his vocals to be overdubbed for the future.   And that is what has been released to this day --  the first two minutes of Paul's re-recording of "Let it Be."