|  It
was a LOVEfest of ceremonial proportions.
Paul Mc Cartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison
joined CNN’s Larry King at an intimate VIP/press dedication
to George Harrison and John Lennon on the occasion of the
one-year anniversary of LOVE, a collaboration between Cirque
du Soleil and the Beatles company, Apple Corps LTD, in the
lobby of the LOVE Theatre at the Mirage.
And
how did the esteemed celebrities find it?
“Turn left at Greenland,” was Ringo’s quick
retort as they unveiled the honorary plaques, echoing the
line echoing the line he uttered in their movie, "A Hard
Day's Night" when the Beatles were asked how they found
America during their first trip here.
King hosted the event, which upon taking the stage he announced
as honoring John Lennon and George “Hamilton.”
When he inquired as to why the audience was laughing and someone
pointed out his error, he quipped, “I’m Jewish
and I’m interviewing Paris Hilton tomorrow so I’m
warming up.”
 Then
with Paul taking one side and Ringo getting on the other,
the duo ceremoniously prepared to unveil two large plaques.
Ringo’s speech about George was up first.
“This is an honor but not really a great pleasure,”
he said. “I’d prefer that the man was standing
next to me. But this is life as we all know it. And LOVE really
started with a conversation about our music with George and
these mad, crazy people (referring to Cirque du Soleil). He
was a great musician and a dear friend and we love him and
miss him. I’m sure wherever he is, he’s smiling
right now. Now over to Paul.”
“Thanks, Richard,” Paul began.
“Call me Ringo,” Ringo broke in. “We’re
in public.”
“Ok, Richie,” Paul responded as everyone laughed.
<TOP>
Paul
continued, “Since Ringo has said it all, I just want
to say that the show is such a great success and it encapsulates
all the music we did together and the great times we had.
They (George and John) were magnificent men and we miss them.”
With a “one, two, three, four,” the pair proceeded
to simultaneously take the covers off the two plaques, one
bearing the face of George and the other the face of John.
“The silver stuff is really platinum,” Ringo told
the media, again evoking laughter.
Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison got up and made small speeches
as well. Dani, Harrison’s son, was also in the audience
that included Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, who
also said a few words, as well as other Cirque luminaries,
members of Apple Corps LTD and Mirage officials, including
MGM/Mirage Chairman Bobby Baldwin. Said Olivia, “I don’t
think that George would be surprised at this collaboration
He knew that it would be a success.”
The afternoon ended with Paul and Ringo standing on either
side of the plaques, giving the peace sign and proclaiming,
“Love.” They then posed for photographers.
“C’mon over here, Larry,” Ringo called out
to King. “Just not too close.”
King made his way over to stand beside Paul for the picture.
“You can tell who his favorite his,” Ringo quipped.
After doing a live broadcast of “The Larry King Show”
from the Mirage’s Revolution Lounge, Paul and Ringo,
who say that they are still close friends and talk all the
time, and King attended the 7 p.m. performance of LOVE. Paul
and Ringo sat next to each other and were really into the
show, with Paul often mouthing the words to the songs from
his seat. At the end of the show, as the crowd went wild,
he and Ringo joined hands and raised their arms in the air.
They then grabbed microphones and ran up on the stage, thanking
the crowd, and Paul high-fived some of the audience members
as they made their exit out of the showroom.
It was a LOVE-ly day for all involved.
Photo
by Rob Shanahan
©2007 Cirque Apple Creation Partnership
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ADDITIONAL
ARTICLES
BY
BOBBIE KATZ
HERE |
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LOVE
Makes the Mirage Go Round
