Paul McCartney MBE becomes Sir Paul McCartney MBE following an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. New album 'Flaming Pie', with initial hit singles 'The World Tonight' and 'Young Boy' (both of which also feature in the hit comedy movie 'Father's Day'), is a massive worldwide hit. The album is accompanied by a TV special and an innovative show on VH1, 'Paul McCartney's Town Hall Meeting', screened live around the world on TV and on the Internet and for which more than three million questions have been posted by fans. 'The Beatles Anthology' wins three Grammy® awards. Paul puts the final touches to a forthcoming first exhibition of his art, and to a second full-length classical piece, 'Standing Stone', commissioned by EMI Records to mark its 100th anniversary - the piece will be premiered in October 1997.
'Flaming Pie' is released to instant international acclaim. The solo album debuts at No. 2 in both the UK and USA, Paul’s highest USA chart entry since The Beatles. Critics applaud the album worldwide. "The sound of a pop genius", wrote Q magazine, with Britain’s Sun newspaper calling it simply "Brilliant" and The Guardian dubbing it "excellent". In the USA, 'Flaming Pie' is judged "A masterpiece" by The New York Post. "McCartney is Fab Form" commented The Los Angeles Times, while USA Today added "Every slice of Pie leaves you hungry for seconds".
In launching 'Flaming Pie' Paul agrees to a live, global interview with fans on the Internet via VH1. The 90-minute session sets a new Guinness world record for 3 million questions set for Paul, who managed to answer 200.
Paul reveals that in 1974, four years after the break-up of The Beatles, he and John Lennon secretly recorded a jam session in Los Angeles, playing old rock and roll standards. The news makes headlines worldwide, alongside claims that the master tape of the session "could be worth millions".
Meanwhile, within three days of its release 'Flaming Pie' achieves gold album status, Paul’s 81st gold disc, a feat that breaks his own world record.
Thirty years after he signed the famed petition calling for the legislation of cannabis, Paul becomes embroiled in controversy when he reveals his belief that cannabis should be decriminalized.
The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Foster, record Paul
McCartney’s 'Standing Stone' at Abbey Road. Paul oversees the sessions, which are filmed for a BBC documentary to be screened at Christmas. 'Standing Stone', Paul’s new symphonic work, was commissioned by EMI to mark the 100th anniversary of the record company.
Paul accepts an invitation from Prime Minister Tony Blair to summit at Chequers. Details of the meeting are not released, save only that the pair met to discuss LIPA as a possible role model for the future of higher education.
Paul answers a call from George Martin to headline a benefit night at The Royal Albert Hall to raise relief funds for the people of Montserrat. The charity show also stars Elton John, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Sting, Mark Knopfler and Carl Perkins. Paul performs 'Yesterday' solo and then calls the assembled superstars to the stage to back him on 'Golden Slumbers/The End' and 'Hey Jude'. As an encore, the supergroup then performs 'Kansas City' with Paul taking the lead vocal. The leading British music magazine Mojo calls the event "better than Live Aid".
'Standing Stone' is given its world premiere performance at The Royal Albert Hall by the London Symphony Orchestra. A 10-minute standing ovation is given to its composer by the 4,500 audience. 'Standing Stone' goes to No. 1 in the classical charts in the UK and the USA. It remains at No. 1 in the UK for four weeks, and in the USA for 11 weeks.
Paul does his first-ever in store album signing at HMV in Oxford Street as a thank you for HMV’s help in getting The Beatles a recording deal in the early sixties. The event brings the heart of London to a standstill as crowds in excess of 10,000-strong close down Oxford Street, making the movement of traffic impossible.
RADD - Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving - present Paul with the 1997 Founder’s Award for his work in promoting the anti-drinking campaign in the USA. Paul records a new TV public service announcement against drunk-driving, which is aired all across America.
In memory of Diana, Princess Of Wales, Paul donates 'Little Willow' from Flaming Pie to an all-star tribute album. A moving video to accompany the ballad is directed by Oscar- winner John Schlesinger.
'Standing Stone' is given its USA premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York. The concert is broadcast live on National Public Radio to more than 300 radio stations, another new world record for the biggest classical concert broadcast ever. However, the performance and broadcast hast to be delayed by 15 minutes, until the screaming fans in Carnegie Hall quiet down and take their seats.
Oprah Winfrey breaks with her long held tradition of moving her show to New York to records an interview with Paul, during which he performs two songs. 'Young Boy' and 'Flaming Pie'. The interview is such a success that Oprah decides to make two shows out of it. Meanwhile, back in Britain, Paul gives another in-depth TV interview to Sir David Frost.
Controversy surrounds the release of the 'Beautiful Night' video, on account of the nudity contained in the promo. "I personally am not afraid of nudity, there’s no more in this video than you’d see on any statue anywhere in the world", comments Paul.
Paul McCartney wins the prestigious Q Magazine award as Songwriter of the Year for 'Flaming Pie', beating Paul Weller, Beck, and Noel Gallagher.
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