The report from White House pool reporter Christina Bellantoni continues:
The First Couple clapped and smiled throughout the evening. Malia Obama also seemed to be enjoying herself, especially when the Jonas Brothers performed “‘Drive My Car’.”Stevie Wonder played “‘We Can Work It Out’” – twice. He stopped half-way through the first time because his harmonica wasn’t at the ready. When he played the harmonica solo the second time the crowd clapped and Obama was nodding.
Jerry Seinfeld made a joke about so many prizes, and quipped about the Nobel Prize. He also called McCartney an “unparalleled artist” and said he makes “the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard.” He joked about some of the Beatles lyrics and cracked some jokes about marriage after which the first lady laughed and clapped.
As Lang Lang performed a piano solo “Celebration,” the president and first lady held hands.
Elvis Costello offered brief remarks, telling the several hundred gathered there that music “is often an us-against-them proposition.” He said that the song he would play, “‘Penny Lane’,” is about a place near where his mother came from, and that when “this thing of wonder and beauty came on the radio,” his dad, mom and cat “all stood up and took notice.”
He talked of the “beautiful way that Paul’s songs united us,” adding, “thank you, and I love you and thank you for your songs and your friendship.”
Big cheers erupted from the audience after the trumpet portion in the song, and Costello gave the player a generous “Sgt. Pepper” shoutout – introducing him as “Matthew Harding of the president’s own United States Marine Band.”
Dave Grohl told the crowd he’s a DC native and has played “every club, every basement, every arena and every stadium.” But, he said: “All of that has nothing on Paul: You’re definitely my hero. And Mister President, you’re definitely my other hero.”
He then played “Band on the Run,” by McCartney during the Wings era.
Obama nodded his head to the beat, and I’ve gotta say, Grohl rocked it.
Pool was led in after Grohl as Stevie Wonder and McCartney performed a duet of “Ebony/Ivory.” As we were led in we saw there was a bar and some chafing dishes set up in the foyer for what I presume is a post-concert reception.
Obama’s remarks will be out via transcript in the morning but he said the United States stole McCartney and singled out Pelosi for praise as being a champion of the arts. He said the Beatles “blew the walls down for everybody else” and “changed everything overnight” by appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show.” Obama said McCartney and the Beatles “helped to lay the soundtrack for an entire generation.”
They hugged as McCartney came on stage. He held the award as he praised Obama. “Getting this prize would just be good enough, but getting it from THIS president …” he said, to big cheers. He said that even though there are “lots of really difficult issues” in the United States, “You have billions of us who are rooting for you and we know you’re going to come through.”
McCartney also thanked the other artists, saying it was “inspiring” to hear their interpretations of his music.
Then he said he would play a song he’d been “Itching to do at the White House,” adding, “I hope the president will forgive me.” Then launched into a spirited rendition of “Michelle.”
At the end of the song he took a bow and your pool had to leave. As we were wrangled out we heard McCartney joke he’d be “the first guy ever to be punched out by a president,” then start in on “‘Eleanor Rigby’.”
When we got back to the briefing room we saw McCartney joke his daughter Mary once whistled while at the royal ranch. (She was whistling during concert). He then played “Let it be” and “‘Hey Jude’.”
The White House provided us cream programs with a yellow tassel and emblazoned with the presidential seal. It listed the program as “Selections by” the following artists:
Corinne Bailey Rae
Elvis Costello
Dave Grohl
Herbie Hancock
Emmylou Harris
Faith Hill
Jonas Brothers
Lang Lang
Jack WhiteFor the rest of the program:
Emmylou Harris performed “‘For No One’,” which she admitted is a “sad” song. (It is.)
Jack White performed “‘Mother Nature’s Son’.”
Corinne Bailey Rae sang “‘Blackbird’.”
Faith Hill performed “Long and Winding Road”For the record, your pooler’s favorite McCartney-sung Beatles song is “‘Paperback Writer’.”
Obama last year presented the same award to Stevie Wonder.
Some background from the White House: The prize commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the legendary American songwriting team whose extensive manuscript collections reside in the Library of Congress. The prize is awarded to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins.
And details on the broadcast from the Library of Congress: The program, to be taped by WETA Washington, D.C., as part of the “In Performance at the White House” series, will air on PBS stations nationwide on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 8 p.m. EDT (check local listings) as “Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House.”
White House reporter
Also on this day...
- 2023: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Cuthbert Amphitheater, Eugene
- 2022: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Boch Center, Boston
- 2018: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City
- 2016: Paul McCartney live: Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid
- 2009: Paul and Ringo reunite for Beatles Rock Band launch
- 2004: Paul McCartney live: Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich
- 1997: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Mohegan Sun Event Center, Uncasville
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Milwaukee County Stadium, Milwaukee
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise
- 1976: Wings live: Chicago Stadium, Chicago
- 1967: Recording, mixing: It’s All Too Much
- 1967: US album release: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
- 1966: Recording, mixing: I Want To Tell You, Yellow Submarine
- 1965: John, George and Ringo attend the première of Richard Lester’s The Knack (And How To Get It)
- 1964: Recording: Any Time At All, Things We Said Today, When I Get Home
- 1963: The Beatles live: Hippodrome, Brighton
- 1962: Travel: Hamburg to Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
- 1960: The Silver Beetles live: The Institute, Neston, Wirral
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
“Sir Paul”, how dare you come to my country, stand in front of a current president to receive an award from my country, and have the audacity to insult a former president, You should at least have a clue to who you were speaking of. I guess you weren’t aware that Mrs. Bush was a school teacher, and her focus during the Bush years in office was literacy. You must have thought you were soooo cute with that snarky remark, but you were nothing but ignorant. Why not go home and crack on your dowdy old queen!!
His remark wasn’t aimed at Laura Bush – it was about George W, who could clearly learn a thing or two about grammar and literacy.
“You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.” – George W Bush, 2001
But you’ve got to admit that it was unnecessary. Sadly, the press will choose to focus their attention on this, and not much else.
You are the one that is ignorant!
What Paul said was definitely in bad taste, no matter which president he was talking about. Great music, but I really don’t care about what he thinks.
I understand the White House concert was filmed and will be broadcast in July. I’d love to see Paul singing “Michele” to the First Lady.
Very dissapointing to see my idol sit up there a act like some far left wing Holly Wood actor. Really hate seeing Paul stoop to that level.
I don’t know what level you are coming from but if speaking his mind equates Paul with your stereotype of the “far left” than as a so called Beatle fan you haven’t caught on.
When John Lennon made his Jesus remark over 40 years ago he was serving notice that some celebrities were not going to be boxed in to the general public’s expectations and perceptions.
The exercising of freedom of speech is not stooping to any level.
Right on, Bro…
Thirteen years later, we can see that Any remark can be construed as offensive to Some Person… Although, the ‘Worst Comments’ are still coming from the far left wing Holly Wood actor types, right? Lol!
I saw bits of Paul singing Michelle to the First Lady and you could see she was totally flattered when Paul sang “I love you I love you I love you”. It was nice and I hate her (LOL)
And I’m glad he mentioned the oil spill.
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe what Paul said. Not because I find it offensive, but because by the reaction of the American Conservatives I thought what he said was much more awful and inappropriate. Not sure why I’m surprised though, the Right never could take a joke.
I am surprised that there are so many Conservative Beatles fans, though, as they are the people who like to say that The Beatles were evil incarnate.
The Beatles are universal and their music is adored by all types of people.
Only someone who failed their high school exams would say such a thing to a Yale and HBS grad who was married to a librarian.
Only a graduate would initiate an unjust war while the failed student would give a musical legacy to the world.
Yeah, I’m with most of you…I kind of thought it was a low jab. Something not expecting of the king of class, Sir Paul.
Be careful Pauly, The Dixie Chicks did the same thing and it ruined their career! 🙂 😛
Artists who come from rock n’roll can say just about anything about politics because rock n’ roll is about rebellion and attitude.
For country artists such as the Dixie Chicks, they are supposed to abide by establishment rules because they depend on a fan base that is located in the traditional heartland of America.
Anyway, there is no swirling controversy here about Paul’s comments that compare to the magnitude of the Dixie Chicks or John’s Jesus remarks.
I don’t think it’s that much of a stretch to realize that Paul’s comments about George W Bush, made in the White House, while receiving an honor from the current President were ungracious.
I love Paul and have since 1964. But discretion is still the better part of valor.
“After the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows what a library is.”
This from a man who thought 8 from 14 was 9. I am referencing Paul’s lack of math skills he displayed while talking about how many original Beatle songs were on Beatles for Sale.
I agree with the comment above from c64wood – Great music, but I really don’t care about what he thinks.
It was a valid comment. Good On Paul.