Ringo, Paul to appear at Liverpool events

LIVERPOOL, England, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have signed on to perform, separately, in Liverpool, England, as part of the city's Capital of Culture programs.

Comedian Ken Dodd; authors Philip Pullman, Seamus Heaney, Monica Ali and Liverpool poet Roger McGough also will participate in the 2008 festivities that will be scheduled throughout the year under the Capital of Culture banner, the Liverpool Echo said Thursday.

McCartney is scheduled perform at the Liverpool Sound concert at Anfield on June 1.

In a specially recorded message McCartney said: "I’m very excited about Liverpool being Capital of Culture 2008. We have a fantastic series of events which are sure to get you excited too. I’m very proud of the city and I look forward to welcoming you all and showing you a good time."

Starr is set to appear at the "People’s Opening" at St. George’s Hall on Jan. 11 and the opening ceremony at the ECHO Arena on Jan. 12.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: "I've no doubt being Capital of Culture will change how Liverpool thinks and how the rest of the world thinks of Liverpool."