Polski Serwis Informacyjny The Beatles

Update (2/15/06)
More comments are coming in about the Paul snub report. Based on the Grammy TV show, many believe otherwise.
More significantly, I've heard about what was going on at the Grammys from an industry insider who was backstage the whole afternoon and evening - who saw Paul during that time - and her observations completely contradict Friedman's story. She says that Paul was utterly relaxed the whole day and in a very good mood. She takes strong issue with several things in that story. Here are some of the points she raised to us (the italic items are taken from Friedman's "report"):


1) "Backstage, McCartney was pretty much at loose ends. Occasionally he'd leave his dressing room and walk up the corridor looking for a little love and attention." -- ALL the major artists spent most of the afternoon and evening hanging in the corridor chatting with old pals and making new friends. Paul did it. So did Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Sting, Madonna, Bonnie Raitt, Mariah Carey and loads of others. Paul was one of the most popular artists there. Everyone wanted to hang with him. And he was patient and relaxed with everyone.

2) "On one such trip, he walked right past Sting without saying hello, at the same time giving his royal wave to excited fans in the VIP area." -- Paul and Sting - along with literally scores of artists - were backstage together from about 11am till 8pm. Their paths would have crossed multiple times. Think of what you do at a crowded party of long duration when you see a pal. The first time you see each other you talk and catch up. The next time you encounter each other - you nod at each other. By the end of the evening - you don't stop to greet each other every time. You've already done that. So Friedman almost certainly caught an encounter in the latter part of the night.

3) "The ex-Beatle got up and left with his very arrogant bodyguard. They weren't exactly subtle about it, either." -- It was towards the end of the show. Many artists and executives got up and left the minute that award was announced in order to not get caught in the usual stampede. There have been events where Paul HAS had over-the-top bodyguards. This wasn't one of them.

4) "If he'd stayed, like everyone else, McCartney would have seen Bruce Springsteen and Sam Moore's knockout tribute to the late Wilson Pickett on "In the Midnight Hour."" -- Paul and several of the other artists who left at that point had seen the entire tribute during the afternoon in rehearsal. Paul was certainly watching it from the auditorium during the rehearsal. Perhaps those artists didn't feel the need to watch it a second time?

5) "Backstage there were several grimaces when Paul insisted on performing "Helter Skelter." One rock star said, "Why? What an awful choice."" -- That was definitely a minority opinion by a few cynics. Overwhelming consensus backstage was that Paul had scored a coup by being heavier and out-rocking everyone else. When he came back through the backstage corridor after his set he was being hailed by musicians and execs he encountered. It was definitely considered a highlight performance. As was his appearance with Jay-Z and Linkin Park.