TLDR: MINNEAPOLISāPaul McCartney says Prince rehearsed a cover of The Beatles classic The Long and Winding Road, and he wants to release it.
Key Takeaways:
- McCartney shared the story in a BBC Radio 2 interview while revisiting songs that shaped his life and career.
- He claims Prince recorded the rehearsal version after Prince died, sent by a photographer, and McCartney is asking the estate to release it.
- If cleared, the track could extend Princeās Beatles connection and add another layer to the June 3 to 7 Minneapolis tribute.
This is the kind of music lore that feels like it escaped a vault by accident, then found the right witness. If the estate says yes, Prince gets one more spotlight and the Beatles catalog gets an unexpected new echo.
This is the kind of music lore that feels like it escaped a vault by accident, then found the right witness. If the estate says yes, Prince gets one more spotlight and the Beatles catalog gets an unexpected new echo.
Q&A
What would have to happen for Princeās rehearsal cover to be released?
McCartney would need the Prince estate and rights holders to approve the recording, plus confirm provenance, audio quality, and permissions for distribution.
Why does McCartney mention the estate now, rather than immediately after hearing the track?
Approval processes can take time, and McCartney may have waited until he could package the story alongside other commitments like his own album rollout.
How does a rehearsal recording change the meaning of a cover versus a finished studio track?
A rehearsal can feel more human and kinetic, showing arrangement choices and musicianship in the moment, but it also raises questions about intended completeness.
What does Prince rehearsing a Beatles song suggest about his musical influences?
It underscores how deeply the Beatles shaped rock songwriting and performance craft, and it hints that Prince treated iconic material as a challenge to reinterpret with his own edge.
Could the upcoming Minneapolis celebration of life increase pressure to officially clear unreleased material?
Big memorial events tend to spotlight legacy footage and audio, so an approved release could align with audience demand and media attention during that week.
Top in Music
Apple AirPods 4 hit $99, $30 under list
Philip Glass 90th Birthday Season Spreads Across Major Cities
Madonnaās space heater fire fuels Biltās Music Building rent
McCartney admits nerves approaching Dylan after Coachella moment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!