Paul McCartney Voices Support for Jailed Russian Band Pussy Riot, Beatle tweets message encouraging rockers to 'stay strong'...

Paul McCartney tweeted a message of support today for jailed Russian punk trio Pussy Riot, who await the verdict in their trial for performing an anti-Putin "punk prayer" in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Addressing group members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich, McCartney wrote, "I would like you to know that I very much hope the Russian authorities would support the principle of free speech for all their citizens and not feel that they have to punish you for your protest."

Paul McCartney Is Now Pulling His Albums from Spotify...

Paul McCartney is now pulling both solo and Wings content from Spotify and other streaming services, according to details shared by sources this (Tuesday) evening.  Specifically, the takedown is coming from Concord Records, though other McCartney releases also appear unavailable.  In fact, a search this evening produced just a handful of McCartney songs, outside of covers, modified instrumentals and other variations. Spotify has not responded to a pair of inquiries from Digital Music News, though a leaked takedown order lists some of the largest albums released by the post-Beatles McCartney.  The removal request, issued by Universal Music Group Distribution on behalf of Concord (and Hear Music), includes the following: