POP/ROCK - March 4, 1996

An Offer They Can Refuse: Paul McCartney reaffirmed Sunday that the surviving Beatles will not do a reunion concert despite an offer of $225 million for a 22-night world tour that would have included 10 stadium shows of 90 minutes each in the U.S. “The size of the offer is scandalous, it’s ridiculous,” he said in a statement released in London. “From the money point of view, most people would do it. But, to me, the three of us isn’t as exciting as the four of us. . . . The four is the four--that always was the deal and it still is for me.” Geoff Baker, McCartney’s publicist, said the offer--which would have given each Beatle $2.2 million for each hour onstage--was rejected by McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr when made last December by a “consortium of American and German businessmen.” The details were revealed at this time to clarify “continuing inquiries and rumors” about a possible tour, Baker continued, adding: “The statement isn’t just meant to reject this particular offer, but any offer.”