“Sons + Fathers: An Anthology of Words and Images” book published in the UK

Paul McCartney contributed to a new book “Sons + Fathers“, released on this day in the UK, by giving the following anecdote about his late father Jim McCartney:

When I was a kid my dad had a lot of expressions that he used and nowadays I remember them with great fondness. One of his expressions was ‘Put it there if it weighs a ton.’ After he passed away I wrote a song using the essence of what he said and this is it.

Paul McCartney

From Sons+Fathers – Irish Hospice Foundation:

Some of the world’s best known men including President Bill Clinton, actor Gabriel Byrne and all of the members of rock group U2 are part of a special new Irish Hospice Foundation book celebrating the unique relationship between sons and fathers.

International writers, actors, artists, musicians, politicians and entrepreneurs make up the star-studded cast contributing to Sons+Fathers. The global book of words and images was inspired by U2 lead singer Bono who donated tender drawings he made of his father towards the end of his life. These formed the foundation of this remarkable anthology of personal contributions.

The brilliant cast from the world of film and stage who are contributing includes John Boorman; Daniel Day-Lewis; Gabriel Byrne; Neil Jordan; Paul Cusack and Colin Farrell. Musicians include all of the members of U2, the bands former manager Paul McGuinness and his son Max; Paul McCartney; Bob Geldof; Julian Lennon, and Gavin Friday. Writers include John Banville; Roddy Doyle; Robert Fisk; Paul Auster; Mick Heaney; Colum McCann; Joseph O’Connor and Salman Rushdie. From the political world there are contributions from President Clinton, Alastair Campbelland Bobby Shriver.

The book is edited by writer and editor Kathy Gilfillan, a director of the Lilliput Press.