Paul McCartney To Perform In Israel 43 Years After Beatles Were Banned From Performing

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Forty three years after the Beatles were banned from playing a concert in the country, Paul McCartney will be allowed to return to the country to perform.

The former Beatle announced on his website on Wednesday that he will be performing his first concert ever in the county in Tel Aviv on September 25. The tour is titled "Friendship First."

McCartney and fellow Beatles had planned to perform in Israel back in the mid-1960s, but the concert was canceled due to speculation that the government feared the band would corrupt the nation's youth.

The singer has since stated on his website that the reason was because at the time Israel was short on foreign currency and the promoter was unable to raise sufficient funds in time. The promoter then applied for help from a government committee, which was then declined because they were concerned about the Fab Four corrupting the youth of the country.

McCartney later tried to perform in the country with his band Wings in the late 70s, but again the show was canceled, this time due to problems with the venue.

McCartney looks forward to his trip to Tel Aviv, stating on his website "I've heard so many great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and experiencing it for yourself is another. We are planning to have a great time and a great evening. We can't wait to get out there and rock."