Sir Paul McCartney is still rocking at 70

Updated: June 19, 2012 - 9:15 AM

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Sir Paul McCartney performs at the Queen's Jubilee Concert in front of Buckingham Palace, London, Monday, June 4, 2012.

Photo: Joel Ryan, Associated Press - Ap

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LONDON - Paul McCartney celebrated his 70th birthday in private Monday, perhaps resting up between gigantic gigs this summer, but is showing no sign of slowing down as his music is passed down to generations too young to have seen him in Wings, much less the Beatles.

"Sir Paul" closed Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee concert earlier this month with a mix of favorites that included a raucous "All My Loving." He's also preparing for a featured role closing the London Olympics opening ceremony on July 27.

McCartney has appeared relaxed and almost jovial in recent months as he eases into his role as one of rock's eminent elder statesmen. He admits dyeing his hair, but his musical ability has not diminished with age.

John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, tweeted birthday wishes Monday, and Paul Weller made a one-day-only digital release of the Beatles' song "Birthday" as a tribute, with proceeds going to charity.

In the run-up to his birthday, McCartney, a longtime vegetarian, urged the public to cut back on meat consumption to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and ease the global warming crisis.

Dylan has August concert in Rochester

Last seen in his home state on the night of the presidential election in 2008 - whose winner awarded him the Medal of Freedom last month - Bob Dylan will finally swing back through Minnesota on his never-ending tour to perform in Rochester at the Mayo Civic Center's Taylor Arena on Aug. 21. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster for $49.50-$55. The Hibbing/Duluth native also will perform in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Aug. 18), and Fargo, N.D. (Aug. 19), but has no other Minnesota date on his fall itinerary. He performed twice in Rochester on his mid-'00s tours of small ballparks and was at Northop Auditorium on Nov. 4, 2008.

Cult-adored British singer Morrissey also announced a new tour Monday that includes an Oct. 30 stop at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, famous as the last place Buddy Holly's entourage played before its fatal plane crash in 1959. The former Smiths singer also will hit the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on Oct. 29, tickets for which go on sale at noon Saturday for $39.50-$75.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Tough break

New father and former reality star Jack Osbourne has multiple sclerosis. The son of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne revealed his health crisis in an interview with People released Sunday. He told the magazine he was angry and frustrated when he found out, and he's concerned about his family. Osbourne and his fiancée, Lisa Stelly, had daughter Pearl in April.

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