Coldplay, Katy Perry, Tony Bennett and Neil Young plumbed Paul McCartney’s vast songbook in taking the former Beatle on a musical journey of his more than 50-year career.

They joined James Taylor, Diana Krall and Foo Fighters among others in launching Grammy weekend Friday night by honoring McCartney as the MusiCares Person of the Year.

McCartney, who turns 70 in June, was toasted for his musical achievements and philanthropic work two days before the Grammy Awards. “It’s great for me to be here,” he told the crowd in the Los Angeles Convention Center. “It’s fantastic to hear all these fantastic artists doing my songs.”

The dinner menu even reflected his vegetarian lifestyle, from the tomato and fresh mozzarella tower to the main course of grilled seitan and roasted vegetables in puff pastry. Seitan is a wheat gluten used as a meat substitute.

The former Beatle singled out Young’s rowdy version of “I Saw Her Standing There” and “all the others putting nuances on the songs I didn’t know were there.” He was on his feet leading the applause after Foo Fighters tore through the Wings hit “Jet.”

Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin said, “We love Paul and we’re happy to be here” before launching into “We Can Work It Out.”

It also was a working night for McCartney, who capped an opening medley by the cast from the Beatles’ “Love” by Cirque du Soleil with “Magical Mystery Tour.”

At the end of the evening, McCartney turned the vast hall into an intimate jazz club with “My Valentine,” a song he wrote for new wife Nancy Shevell, and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” two cuts off his latest album, “Kisses On the Bottom.” He was accompanied by Krall on the piano. Read the full story

She’s been a sensation since she’s been born, and now Blue Ivy has made her public debut.

Five photos of the 1-month-old were posted by her parents — Beyonce and Jay-Z — on a page at the blogging service Tumblr.

The pictures at http://helloblueivycarter.tumblr.com include a close-up of the baby and two of each parent holding her.

A statement next to the photos reads, “We welcome you to share our joy.” The couple also thanked the public for respecting their privacy.

Blue Ivy is the superstar couple’s first child.

Tony Bennett performed on the very first Grammy Awards, and as he returns for the 54th show this Sunday, the singer says it never gets old.

He loves the Grammys because “it’s the only place where all the performers get together in one weekend” — and he actually knows most of them.

The 85-year-old entertainer rehearsed a duet of “It Had to be You” with country star Carrie Underwood on Friday. Underwood called Bennett “America’s most enduring artist.”

When they finished their rehearsal, Bennett told Underwood it was “beautiful” singing with her.

The pair is also set to present the award for best new artist during the ceremony at Staples Center. The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex are up for the honor.

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Kid Rock has posted an expletive-laced letter criticizing a columnist who reported that some of the musician’s “Made in Detroit” T-shirts are not made in the city or the U.S.

Detroit Free Press Columnist Susan Tompor wrote Monday that some “Made in Detroit” T-shirts are manufactured overseas, while some adult-sized T-shirts were missing labels.

Kid Rock’s letter on the “Made in Detroit” website says the column misses the co

mpany’s goals of re-instilling “a sense of Detroit pride.” The letter also says the company “NEVER laid claim” to items “actually being made in Detroit.”

The letter is signed by the popular rocker-rapper, who was born Robert Ritchie.

Kid Rock bought the clothing line several years ago.

Free Press senior managing editor Jeff Taylor says “the column was fair, balanced and accurate.”

Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Eminem, Nas and Kanye West are coming to a theater near you.

The Indomina Group said Friday it will release Ice-T’s rap documentary, which features all those artists, in North America on June 8.

Ice-T’s directorial debut, “Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap,” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month. The film shows classic rappers from across the country discussing how they write songs.

The 53-year-old entertainer says “music and movie lovers alike will really get into it.”

Don Cornelius was cremated at a private service attended by family and family who were led in prayer by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the “Soul Train” founder’s family announced Friday.

Jackson led the gathering in prayer during the service, which was held at the same cemetery where Michael Jackson and other celebrities are interred.

“The Rev. Jackson and my father were very, very close friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cornelius’ son Tony wrote in a statement.

Cornelius’ family is also planning a larger private memorial for next week, during which he will be eulogized by Jesse Jackson.

The popular host killed himself Feb. 1 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had in recent years faced health problems and divorced his wife after a fight with her led him to plead no contest to spousal battery.

Since his death, Cornelius has been honored around the country by fans and celebrities alike. “Soul Train” showcased legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. It brought the best R&B, soul and hip-hop acts to TV and had teenagers dance to their music.

Cornelius was honored Saturday with public celebrations in Harlem and Chicago, where he founded “Soul Train” in 1970. The show became one of the longest-running syndicated shows in history, introducing audiences to many top music acts and providing a never-before-seen TV platform for black culture.

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Madonna says she’s not happy that M.I.A. made an obscene gesture during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Madonna said on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Friday that the gesture was pointless and “seemed out of place.” The British hip-hop artist, invited by Madonna to participate in Sunday’s halftime show in front of 114 million people, extended her middle finger to the camera.

Madonna said that “I understand it’s kind of punk rock and everything but to me, there was such a feeling of love and good energy and positivity, it seemed negative.” She said it was something a teenager would do.

The singer said she didn’t learn what M.I.A. had done until someone told her after the show.

Mary J. Blige brought out plenty of emotion as she performed in front of a packed house to support one of her favorite charities.

Blige sang several of her most famous songs including “No More Drama” and “Family Affair” at the Avalon nightclub on Thursday night to support the (RED) campaign that raises money to fight AIDS and HIV. She has supported the charity for years.

The singer gave a few emotional speeches where she talked about the importance of giving back.

“All those people we are rocking for are going to be just fine,” Blige said before performing her hit single “Just Fine.”

After her set, musician Skrillex acted as DJ, playing in a VIP area at the Belvedere-sponsored pre-Grammy event that also included singer Kelis, actress Malin Akerman and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker.

The Grammys will be held Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Losing has never felt better to The Band Perry.

The sibling trio got their first Grammy nomination last year in the best country song category for their breakout crossover hit “If I Die Young.” Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” took home the trophy, but the loss turned out to be bittersweet. It kept them eligible for the all-genre category they’re nominated in this year — best new artist.

“Our fingers are crossed. Our toes are crossed. Neil’s eyes are crossed,” lead singer Kimberly Perry joked, referring to one of her two brothers in the band (Reid is the other one). “We’re so excited to see what happens at the show.”

The band’s self-titled debut album has gone platinum and it spawned two No. 1 country hits: “If I Die Young” and their most recent chart topper, “All Your Life.”

The band is competing for the best new artist title against top acts from other genres, including singer-rapper Nicki Minaj, dance DJ Skrillex, rapper J.Cole, and indie folk band Bon Iver.

“After we got over the initial shock that we were nominated for a Grammy at all, I think the thing we were most intrigued by was the variety of artists in the best new artist category,” said Kimberly. “We’re just really, really thrilled to be representing country music. We kind of feel like ambassadors for our format, and regardless of what happens, we’re just so grateful to have the nomination.”

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Jason Aldean usually maintains a fairly steely demeanor, yet country music’s hottest new male star admits to being more than a little excited about his three Grammy nominations.

“I’m not usually one to say it’s an honor to be nominated because I think that sounds so stupid, but in this case I think it is,” Aldean said. “When you look at how important the Grammys are and just how much that award means to an artist, to say you’re Grammy nominated is a cool thing. I also think saying you’re a Grammy Award-winner is a lot cooler.”

Aldean is up for country album of the year for “My Kinda Party,” best country solo performance for the hit “Dirt Road Anthem” and best country duo/group performance for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.

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