I’m not a fan of Paul McCartney as he is today: old, past it, purveyor of crap songs. But that doesn’t matter because he’s a Beatle and always will be. Which means he’s a living legend who can pretty much get anything he wants - even one-legged former models.

Surely his time in The Beatles, arguably the best pop group that has ever been, is why he’s still popular. I refuse to believe it’s because everyone loves that God awful Frog Chorus song or the absolute dirge that is Mull Of Kintyre. Instead, we remember McCartney for what he used to be and what he’s done in the past, even though he’s now way past 64.

It’s this remembrance of his past which has surely helped McCartney nab the honor of being the first artist to perform at Citi Field, the new home of The New York Mets baseball team. Who can forget that The Beatles were the first band to play at the Mets’ old home of Shea Stadium. That was in 1965 and constituted the first time a rock concert had ever been held at a sports stadium.

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Here’s a novel approach to promote your new album: employ buskers to perform some of the as-yet-unheard tracks on the streets of New York. This is the latest attempt by Oasis to try and build publicity in the States for their forthcoming new album, Dig Out Your Soul.

Oasis seem to be really concentrating on North America in the build-up to the release of Dig Out Your Soul. As well as recently touring the USA and Canada, a tour that was interrupted when a mindless yob attacked Noel Gallagher on stage, the group seem to be out to grab some headlines.

As part of the documentary film being made about the Manchester band by Brendan and Emmett Malloy, Oasis selected a group of buskers and street musicians to play some of the tracks from the album around the streets of Manhattan. These musicians then played around the city on Friday September 12th.

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Noel Gallagher was assaulted by a fan at the V Festival at Toronto Island Park, Canada, on September 7th. The man rushed the stage midway through Oasis’ headlining set and pushed the guitarist to the floor during Morning Glory.

Noel landed awkwardly on his monitor speakers and suffered from a suspected fractured rib and some ligament damage. But like a trooper, he came back on the stage after a short interlude to finish the set. After the show, he was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries.

The attacker was immediately tackled by security guards and was later arrested and charged with assault. The incident was captured on video and is now on YouTube - embedded after the cut for your pleasure.

It’s actually quite scary to see how much of a push the guy gave Noel. What’s even more scary is seeing how Liam reacted: if the security guards hadn’t held him back then I think he would have smashed the guy’s face in. It was lucky that nothing worse than the injuries that Noel sustained happened - imagine if the guy had been carrying a knife or gun?

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We knew it was going to happen, but now that it has, it’s kind of sad. The Police announced back in May that their last date on this current tour was going to be their final gig ever, and so it has come to pass. They played Madison Square Gardens last night, and that it is, it’s all over folks… maybe.

The Police originally split up rather acrimoniously in 1984 after the three of them got sick of arguing with each other. Tensions were said to be so bad that towards the end they hardly spoke. But last year saw the trio reunite for a massive world tour after 20 years had seemingly proved enough time to get over their differences.

They seem to have managed to have stayed civil this time around, which begs the question: why split up again? I know none of them need the money now, especially after this 150 date tour is said to have netted them £180 million, but still, wouldn’t it be good to stay together and write new material?

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The Police reunited last summer after years of not playing together, or even being civil to one another. This was after they acrimoniously split in 1984 due to arguments. And now they’re doing it again - no not arguing (as far as we know) but splitting up for the second and final time.

They are currently on the last part of their huge reunion world tour, which has already seen them play in front of 2.5 million people over five continents. The majority of this final leg of the tour will take place across North America, with the occasional jaunt back across to Europe for festival appearances. And the States is where they have decided to play their final concert ever.

New York to be exact, which they have chosen as it was where they kicked off their first ever American tour in 1978, a full 30 years ago.

No date or location for the show has yet been announced, but the proceeds from the concert will be given to arts programming for the city’s public television stations.

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Coldplay have announced that they will be playing two free concerts to promote forthcoming fourth studio album, Viva La Vida. The shows will take place at London’s Brixton Academy on June 16th and at New York Madison Square Garden on June 23rd.

The shows will be free, with fans being able to win tickets through various means. The band are set to announce how to win on their official website soon.

Earlier in the month we found out the official track listing for the album, which is due out on June 12th.

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Wow, Amy Winehouse could be about to earn $1 million (approx £500,000) for one gig, after being reportedly offered the amount to play the celebrity party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute in New York on May 5th.

The bash is being organised by fashion designer Giorgio Armani, and he is said to be willing to do anything to secure her services for the party. If that means paying $1 million, then he’s clearly willing to do it.

To this end, he is thought to have asked actor friends George Clooney and Julia Roberts to help sign Winehouse up for the deal, although why two over the hill actors would be enough to persuade her is beyond me.

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A BBC documentary has claimed that Mick Jagger, lead singer of The Rolling Stones, was targeted by the Hells Angels, who allegedly planned an assassination attempt on him.

The Radio 4 documentary, which is part of ‘The FBI at 100‘ series, sees former FBI agent Mark Young reveal the plot to get the ultimate revenge on the big lipped front man after he fired the motorcycle gang’s security forces from taking care of any more of the band’s gigs.

This came after an 18 year old fan was stabbed to death at a free concert in Altamont, California during December 1969.

The gang then decided to target him at his holiday home on New York’s Long Island, approaching by boat.

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Coldplay have placed a cover of The Pretenders Christmas song 2000 Miles on their official website.

It was actually recorded in 2003, and you can hear the amateur, untrained nature of Chris Martin’s voice coming through very well.

The reason the band give for posting this cover?

Because they can’t ever manage to write their own Christmas song, without it sounding naff, even though they’ve attempted it a few times.

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As well as my 10 British Albums I’d like to be stuck on a
desert island with, some of the other blogs around the b5 Music Channel
have also written about their choices.

Lauren offers the best of the Oz Music Scene.

Bruce let’s us in on Our Digital Music.

Scott rocks out his 10 at Metal Martyr.

Jennifer at Hippie Sounds gives us her top 10
60’s & 70’s vinyl albums for island life.

Sammi at 52 Bands gives us the albums she
couldn’t live without.

Mike at Big Apple Music Scene draws from
New York’s historic and legendary artists.

Ear Sucker blogger Roberta throws
you her rock variety.

She Plays Music gives you the
best female albums.

Check them out and see how many of the chosen ones would alos
be on your list of music to take with you if you ever get in to a
‘Lost’ situation.

All the blogs would value some comments, including me, and
when you go on that fateful cruise or plane journey don’t forget the
batteries!