Art News

Former Beatle Paul McCartney to help restore 1877 Steinway Motown grand piano

DETROIT (AP).- During a summer visit to a Motown recording studio, former Beatle Paul McCartney wanted to run his fingers along an 1877 Steinway grand piano played by some Detroit music greats he considers idols. “He was disappointed when we told him it didn’t play,” Motown Historical Museum chief executive Audley Smith Jr., told The Detroit News for a story (http://bit.ly/trOphs ) Saturday. Undaunted, the legendary rock and roller from England told museum officials following a July concert at Comerica Park that he wanted to help restore it. On Monday, the piano will be picked up from the Detroit museum and shipped to Steinway & Sons in New York for restoration. The work is expected to take up to five months. The piano company has to assess the piano’s condition before a cost can be determined. “Steinway & Sons is honored to restore the historic Steinway piano that