Paul McCartney has paid tribute to his “good friend” Michael Parkinson, hailing him as a “great guy”.
Much loved television host Sir Michael Parkinson passed away following a brief illness aged 88, surrounded by his family.
“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family”, his family said in a statement. “The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve”.
The host enjoyed a stellar career in TV, spanning seven decades, interviewing some of the world’s biggest names, including boxing icon Muhammad Ali, music legends Elton John, Madonna, George Michael among others.
“you’re a great guy okay!”
Along with his career in television, Sir Michael Parkinson was also a close friend of Paul McCartney, appearing as an escaped convict on the album cover of Wings’ ‘Band On The Run’.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter over the weekend, Paul McCartney wrote, “I first met Michael Parkinson in Liverpool when he and his team came to see us at the Cavern Club. He was a very likeable guy and we eventually did our first TV performances with Granada in Manchester, where Michael worked”.
“Through the years I got to know him more and more, and appeared on his chat show quite a few times. He was a pleasure to talk to and we always had fun. He appeared on the front cover of ‘Band on the Run’ as one of the escaping convicts in the title song. He was very knowledgeable about many subjects and a keen sports-lover”, the Beatles star continued.
He also added, “I will miss him personally, as a good friend. I send all my love to his family and friends. Cheers Michael, you’re a great guy okay!”.
Check this out for yourselves below.
I first met Michael Parkinson in Liverpool when he and his team came to see us at the Cavern Club. He was a very likeable guy and we eventually did our first TV performances with Granada in Manchester, where Michael worked.
Through the years I got to know him more and more, and… pic.twitter.com/o0fMiXsWwN
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 19, 2023
Having introduced his first show in 1971 with an interview with Jazz singer Marion Montgomery, Michael Parkinson’s chat show initially ran on the BBC for 11 years, before he returned to the broadcaster in 1998.
It is also estimated that he interviewed over 2,000 guests in a prosperous career.
As for McCartney, the Beatles legend announced a tour of Australia, taking place later this year. Find out more here.
https://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney/status/1686105701666504704
