More than 40 years after Israeli government officials banned the Beatles from their country, claiming the band’s “strident, amplified music could corrupt the morals of Israeli youth,” Paul McCartney has announced plans to play in the country for the first time ever later this month. His manager Barry Marshall confirmed that he would be performing at Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon on Sept. 25.
The Beatles were originally set to perform in Israel in the mid-’60s but the concert was cancelled at the last minute. McCartney’s Web site claims the country censured the group, while Israeli newspaper Haaretz says a disagreement between two concert promoters was the real reason the show was scrapped.
As far as McCartney is concerned, all is forgiven. “I’ve heard so many great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and experiencing it for yourself is another,” he said on his Web site.
The former Beatle has been playing a series of “Friendship First” concerts this year, visiting places he has never been. According to England’s Sunday Mirror, that this may be his last major world tour. McCartney plans to spend more time with his daughter, Beatrice. Cedit: Gibson and Aidin Vaziri.