Neighbors mad about noisy McCartney wedding party
LONDON - October 10, 2011
Former Beatle Paul McCartney, known in his early days for the
earsplitting volume of his Little Richard covers, got in trouble
with noise enforcement officers who visited his London home early
Monday morning after neighbors complained about the loud music
coming from his late-night wedding party.
Officials said McCartney - one of the most famous musicians in
the world - agreed to turn down the music. He does not face any
legal problems because of the raucous party, which followed his
Sunday afternoon wedding to Nancy Shevell, the dark-haired American
who became his third wife after four years of dating.
"Officers visited and the volume was reduced on request," said
Andrew Ralph, head of noise and licensing at Westminster City
Council. "No further action is being taken."
McCartney's neighbors in the affluent St. John's Wood
neighborhood, which also includes the Abbey Road studios where the
Beatles recorded their classic albums, were complaining about
recorded music, not McCartney's own performance, which included an
emotional new ballad he wrote for his 51-year-old bride.
He could have formed a world-class band with his guests if he
really wanted to rattle the neighbors. It would have featured
McCartney on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie
Wood on guitar along with Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, and stalwart
Jools Holland on keyboards.
Some of the music was provided by a DJ set by Mark Ronson, a
mentor to the late Amy Winehouse who is close friends with the late
John Lennon's son Sean. The wedding took place on what would have
been Lennon's 71st birthday.
The party also drew broadcaster David Frost, 1960s supermodel
Twiggy, and George Harrison's widow, Olivia.
According to British press reports, McCartney, 69, asked his
guests not to post pictures from the wedding service on social
networking sites.
At the reception, roughly 100 guests were served chilled
champagne and a variety of vegetarian dishes such as salmon
risotto.
The couple have not said when they will go on their honeymoon.
McCartney announced Monday that he will add three U.K. concert
dates - including a performance in his home town of Liverpool - to
his already hectic tour schedule.