Global Pulse: Concert For Linda

Sir Paul McCartney performed two songs as the climax of Saturday's "Here, There And Everywhere -- A Concert For Linda" at London's Royal Albert Hall, marking the first anniversary of the death of his wife. McCartney played Ricky Nelson's "Lonesome Town" -- explaining to the sellout crowd of 5,000 that he and Linda had both enjoyed the song as teenagers, many years before they met -- and "All My Loving," before leading the all-star bill in a version of "Let It Be." Earlier highlights of the show included the Pretenders and Johnny Marr's performance of the Smiths' "Meat Is Murder," Neil Finn's "Don't Dream It's Over," Tom Jones' version of the Beatles' "She's A Woman," and Marianne Faithfull performing "As Tears Go By" accompanied by Marr. Elvis Costello sang "That Day Is Done," one of his co-compositions with Sir Paul, and George Michael's set included "Eleanor Rigby" and "The Long And Winding Road." Other performers were Lynden David Hall, Des'ree, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sinead O'Connor, M People's Heather Small, and the Duke Quartet.

Half of the proceeds from the event will go to the Animaline charity, with the remainder to be donated by Animaline to Linda's other favorite charities. Meanwhile, an exhibition of Linda's photographs, titled "Into The Light," is being held at the Royal Photographic Society in Bath, in the west of England, until June 6.

From Anon:

George sang three songs. He said that the first two would be fairly quiet -- but that then we'd all "party"! Accompanied by just strings, and celebrity backing vocalists, he sang the beautiful "Eleanor Rigby", and then maintained the reflective mood by singing "The Long And Winding Road". Then George thanked the fans who had come to London especially for this show, and spoke movingly of Linda, and how she and his late mother had "lost the same fight, the same battle" against cancer.

George's third song was, as promised, upbeat! As a bank of guitarists (including Johnny Marr, Hugh Burns and Phil Palmer) came on stage, George sang one of his own classics -- "Faith"!! The audience was on its feet, singing and dancing!! It was the perfect note on which to end the main programme, and the stage was then given over to the most important person in the RAH -- Sir Paul McCartney!

From Kristopher Andros:

In regards to this weekend's Linda McCartney tribute show, George Michael sent his fans the following letter; a live report from the rehearsals:

"...It's Thursday afternoon here in London, and I've just got back from rehearsals for the show on Saturday at the Albert Hall. Today Johnny Marr was in so we chatted for a bit, then we did some singing and left because there were other artists that have yet to routine with Chrissie Hyndes band. I won't tell you what I am going to sing but I can tell you I'm doing three numbers, one of which is mine, the other two are Paul McCartney's. I'm really looking forward to it actually."