SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY - MCCARTNEY BUYS CLASSIC ROCK .N. ROLL TUNES

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY might not own many of his own BEATLES classics - so he's making up for it by snapping up other rock 'n' roll anthems.

The rocker's music publishing company MPL COMMUNICATIONS INC. has recently obtained the rights to 23 classic songs composed by the late-great CARL PERKINS, including BLUE SUEDE SHOES, HONEY DON'T and MATCHBOX.

Under the deal announced last Friday (11APR03), McCartney's company will be responsible for worldwide administration of the Perkins catalogue. No financial terms were disclosed.

In a statement, McCartney says, "Carl Perkins was one of my earliest influences and I am quite simply a fan of his."

Perkins was considered the 'Rockabilly King' and died in 1998 aged 65. Three songs on the catalogue were recorded by the Beatles at the beginning of their career. These include EVERYBODY'S TRYING TO BE MY BABY, which featured GEORGE HARRISON on lead vocals.