Photo Coverage: Paul McCartney Talks Gershwin Prize at D.C. Press Conference

Today, June 2, Sir Paul McCartney will be honored by President Barack Obama with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.  McCarntey will perform in the East Room of the White House as part of the celebration. Yesterday, June 1, the former Beatle gave a press conference in anticipation of today's events.  BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of the conference below. 

The Gershwin Prize, named for American songwriting brothers George and Ira Gershwin, has been awarded annually since 2008 to a musician who has made exceptional contributions to the world of popular song. The prize's first recipient was Paul Simon. Last year, Stevie Wonder received the award.

Born in Liverpool, England in 1942, McCartney helped change the world of music as a member of The Beatles, contributing to such legendary albums as 'Please Please Me,' 'Revolver,' 'Help!,' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' and 'The White Album.' Since the breakup of The Beatles, McCartney has worked both as a solo artist, producing albums such as 'Memory Almost Full,' and with the group Wings, producing albums including 'Band On The Run' and 'Wings at The Speed Of Sound.' Most recently he received critical acclaim as 'The Fireman' (a collaborative project between McCartney and producer Youth) with their 2008 'Electric Arguments' album. Paul McCartney is also an accomplished, award-winning classical composer. McCartney was awarded a special Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2008 BRIT Awards at Earls Court in London and presented with an honorary doctorate of music by Yale University. McCartney was appointed Fellow of The Royal College of Music in 1995 by The Prince of Wales and was knighted for his services to music by H.M. the Queen of England in 1996. For more information, visit The Library of Congress' website.

Photo Credit: UPI/Alexis C. Glenn Photo via Newscom; REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst; Mark Wilson/Getty Images

 

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

 Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney speaks to a crowd gathered while leaving a news conference at the Library of Congress on June 1, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Library of Congress announced that McCartney has won the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Sir Paul McCartney is silhouetted as he

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney participates in a news conference at the Library of Congress on June 1, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Library of Congress announced that McCartney has won the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Paul McCartney C signs autographs at a news conference introducing him as the winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the Library of Congress in Washington, June 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT

Paul McCartney smiles at a reporter during a news conference introducing him as the winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the Library of Congress in Washington, June 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT

Paul McCartney makes a point during a news conference introducing him as the winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the Library of Congress in Washington, June 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT

Paul McCartney waves as he departs a news conference introducing him as the winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the Library of Congress in Washington, June 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney 2nd R arrives for a news conference introducing him as the winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the Library of Congress in Washington, June 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT

Paul McCartney answers questions at a news conference introducing him as the winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the Library of Congress in Washington, June 1, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT