The musicians who supported candidate Barack Obama with benefit concerts and inauguration performances have been fairly quiet ever since President Obama's popularity ratings started tanking. But the commander in chief is still getting praise from one beloved member of rock royalty from across the pond.
Sir Paul McCartney was in Washington on Tuesday to receive the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. During the press conference, McCartney defended Obama from his bullying critics, stating, “I’m a big fan, he’s a great guy. So lay off him, he’s doing great."
McCartney also commented on the oil spill disaster, stating that, “I’m not a politician, I wouldn’t know,” he said of the spill. “I think it’s terrible but it’s too big a question for me to answer.”
“I think most of us think it’s a disgrace, and the fact that something like that can happen and the people who are to blame don’t have the ability to instantly cap it and clean it up is something that is going to be addressed,” he added.
McCartney will perform this evening at a White House tribute concert alongside Stevie Wonder, Jack White, Emmylou Harris and several others. And although most people are star struck by McCartney’s presence, the Beatle said that he was nervous about performing “like, three feet away” from the President.
The award commemorates brothers George and Ira Gershwin, renowned songwriters whose work includes operas, musicals and orchestral compositions. In a Library of Congress statement, the award was created to “honor artists whose creative output transcends distinctions between musical styles and idioms, bringing diverse listeners together, and fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.”