Paul McCartney Honored At White House

Paul McCartney joked that he might be the first man punched out by a President. McCartney spoke those words after singing Michelle to Michelle Obama and the rest of the guests during the 2010 Gershwin Prize For Popular Song Awards. The event took place on at the White House on June 2 but was aired last night June 28, on the PBS show, In Performance at the White House. Paul was honored to receive the Gershwin Prize and also nervous about performing so close to President Obama.

Several musical guests sang their renditions of Paul's songs and last year's recipient Stevie Wonder and Paul sang Ebony and Ivory. Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Faith Hill, Dave Grohl, Emmylou Harris, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Jack White.

Before presenting the Gershwin Prize For Popular Song Award to Paul McCartney, President Obama noted that Paul's father used to play Gershwin compositions for him as a child. Paul McCartney began his songwriting career at age 14. Paul McCartney was a member of The Beatles who took America by storm in 1964. Two days after landing in the United States full of trepidation about how they would be received, they performed on The Ed Sullivan Show for 74 million viewers. That night The Beatles made their mark on the world. The Beatles remain the top selling band of all time.

The show ended with Paul reminiscing about and singing Yesterday. He remarked in amazement, that the song had also been recorded over 3000 times by other artists. He also joked or at least I think he was joking, that original opening lyrics to Yesterday were "Scrambled eggs, Oh, my baby how I love your legs".

Sir James Paul McCartney is also now the most successful songwriter in history (from 1890 to present).