1996

1996 was a year of behind the scenes recording and helping Linda deal with her chemotherapy and illness.

In February he got back together with Jeff Lynne at his Hog Hill Mill studio to continue on work for what would be his next album.

In mid April he reunited with his old friend Carl Perkins to record the song Carl wrote about them called “My Old Friend.” It would appear on Carl’s album GO CAT GO. The video they made of them recording this shows a clearly emotional Paul. The song brought back feelings he has always had for John Lennon.

After they recorded it, Linda hugged and thanked Carl for allowing Paul to process these long pent up feelings.

May again brought Jeff Lynne back to Paul’s home studio to continue working on the next album.

Besides a one off session in June for overdubbing, work continued in September for the fourth recording session with Lynne.

On March 18th of 1996, the second volume of The Beatles Anthology was released, along with the second single, “Real Love.”

It features rarities, outtakes and live performances from the 1965 sessions for Help! to the sessions just prior to their trip to India in February 1968.

It is the second in a trilogy of albums with Anthology 1 and Anthology 3, all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology.

The opening track is “Real Love“, the second of the two recordings that reunited the Beatles for the first time since the band’s break-up. Like its predecessor, the album topped the Billboard 200 album chart and has been certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA.

On October 28th, the third and final installment of the Anthology albums was released, clearing 1997 for all new things by the ex-Beatles to be released.

The album includes rarities and alternative tracks from the final three years of the band’s career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles (better known as “the White Album”) to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in 1969 and early 1970.

It is the last in a trilogy of albums with Anthology 1 and Anthology 2, all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology.

The album was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA and was the group’s third double album in a row to reach number one on the US charts, equaling a record set by Donna Summer in the 1970s.

The remains 1996 events were L.I.P.A opened on January 8th, with a Royal opening in June.

The release on July 15th of the E.P. THE BALLAD OF THE SKELETONS, which was the fruit of the work he did with Philip Glass, Lenny Kaye and vocals by Allen Ginsberg.

Linda’s book, “Roadworks: Photographs and Words” was published on November 7th.

Paul and Linda received a lifetime achievement award from PTA on December 14th.

And last, but to least, it was announced on December 31st that Paul was going to be Knighted the following year…. Paul said…. “It is a fantastic honor, and I am very gratefully receiving it on behalf of all the people of Liverpool and the other Beatles – without whom it would not have been possible. So I hope I can be worthy of it. I would also like to thank my wife and kids and wish everyone a Happy New Year.”

Next…..1997. New music, inspired by his Beatles work of the last three years and the developing situation at home with Linda.