Site last updated: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

PEOPLE

Musicians and members of the Beatles, Paul McCartney, right, and Ringo Starr pose for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere of the Beatles movie, Ron Howard's 'Eight days a week-the touring years' in London, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

All you need is love – but not an autograph from Sir Paul McCartney.

The Beatle has gotten quite persnickety when it comes to fans seeking his signature.

But at age 79, he has earned the right to be.

In a new interview, McCartney shared that while he’s happy to have a conversation with fans, he will not participate in scribbling his John Hancock or posing for selfies.

“[It] always struck me as a bit strange,” the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter told Reader’s Digest UK for a November 2021 cover story. “‘Here, can I write your name down on the back of this till receipt please?’ Why? We both know who I am.”

McCartney has found that stopping those kinds of interactions are better in the long run.

“What you’ve usually got is a ropey photo with a poor backdrop and me looking a bit miserable,” he said. “Let’s chat, let’s exchange stories.”

The beloved Beatles musician is following suit from his former bandmate, Ringo Starr, who’s also not a fan of the fanatical practice.

In 2008, Starr warned fans to stop sending him fan mail or presenting him with objects to autograph.

“I’m warning you with peace and love. I have too much to do, so no more fan mail!” the beloved drummer said in a video message. “And no objects to be signed. Nothing! Anyway, peace and love, peace and love.”

———

HOUSTON — There will be no honorary degrees or celebrity-favored certification programs for Megan Thee Stallion.

The Grammy winning hip-hop superstar has announced that she is graduating college.

“2021 finna graduate collegeeee, taking my graduation pics today,” she wrote Monday on Instagram, showing off her bedazzled graduation cap. “I can’t wait for y’all to see.”

The Houston-bred rapper, whose given name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, pursued college studies at Prairie View A&M University before her career skyrocketed.

With songs such as “Savage” (with Beyonce) and “W.A.P.” (with Cardi B), the voluptuous beauty broke streaming records and made Billboard chart history.

She eventually switched to part-time, online courses to receive a bachelor’s degree in health administration from Texas Southern University.

“I want to get my degree because I really want my mom to be proud,” the three-time Grammy winner told People. “She saw me going to school before she passed.”

The newly minted Popeyes spokeswoman said she plans to use some of her earnings to open an assisted-living facility that her classmates will operate.

———

“Faces,” the 2014 Mac Miller mixtape released for the first time on vinyl and streaming, made a smashing debut on the charts this week.

It landed at No. 3 on Top Album Sales (32,000), but, more impressively, it was the No. 1 vinyl album and the largest sales week on vinyl for an R&B/hip-hop album since MRC Data began tracking sales in 1991, according to Billboard.

It broke the previous R&B/hip-hop vinyl sales record held by Prince’s recent “Welcome 2 America” album (at 22,000). It was also the largest sales week for a rap album on vinyl since 1991, beating Miller’s own “Circles” (16,000 in June 2020).

It becomes the late Pittsburgh rapper’s eighth Top 10 album and fourth No. 1 vinyl album.

“Faces,” which landed as a free download between his sophomore album “Watching Movies With The Sound Off” and third album “GO:OD AM,” originally debuted on May 11, 2014 (Mother’s Day) and, with its jazzy, psychedelic vibe, it signaled the way in which he would grow with each project. It became a fan favorite and ranked as the 18th best rap album of 2014 by Rolling Stone.

This week saw the release of Donna-Claire Chesman’s “The Book of Mac: Remembering Mac Miller,” an album-by-album celebration of his life and music, featuring intimate stories and memories from many of his closest friends and collaborators.

More in Arts & Entertainment

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS