A pop-rock legend will be celebrating his 60th birthday in style - by paying for pub-goers to have a drink on him. Paul Heaton, frontman of The Beautiful South, will be putting his own money behind the bar of 60 pubs across the UK, and four Scottish boozers have made the list.
His birthday falls today (May 9), and he wants fans to join him for a drink for his landmark birthday. Paul announced the 60 pubs on his Facebook page, explaining that he had intended to do another bicycle tour across the UK, hoping to visit and perform in the venues to celebrate his 60th.
But he cited "recording delays" thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that meant these plans had to be put on hold. Generously, he said that the "next best way to celebrate this coming of age is to handpick 60 pubs across the UK and Ireland and put a given amount of money behind the bar of each one".
He added that he hoped pub regulars and fans alike could all have a "birthday drink on me" until the bar runs dry - or the cash runs out. He also said he hopes to "bring people together on the day."
The list includes pubs in Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales. In Paul's original statement he posted a picture sipping a drink.
He wrote: "To celebrate my 60th birthday (on Monday 9th May) I’d originally intended to do another bicycle tour, visiting & performing at 60 pubs across the UK & Ireland. However, due to recording delays caused by the pandemic, I’ve had to shelve these plans for the time being.
"Instead, I’ve decided that the next best way to celebrate this coming of age is to handpick 60 pubs across the UK & Ireland and put a given amount of money behind the bar of each one. Then, both regulars and yourselves can enjoy a birthday drink on me (until the money runs out, or the bar runs dry!)"
"The hope is to bring people together on the day, whilst recognising that many folk who bought my records or showed me support over the years, could do with a wee party, as we come out of Covid and hit potential financial struggles. I’ll announce the full list of pubs and locations tomorrow, so if there’s one near you please head over on Monday, show your support and raise a toast to me on my birthday!"
The pubs in Scotland where you can get a free drink
The lucky Scottish pubs are:
- The Old Toll Bar, Paisley Road, Glasgow
- Nice n Sleazy, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
- The Sheep Heid Inn, The Causeway, Edinburgh
- Kay’s Bar, Jamaica Street, Edinburgh.
Paul did not state how much he'll be giving to the pubs or the start time, but in a follow-up post, he invited fans to share pictures.
He said: "It would be great to see photos of you all enjoying your free drinks and celebrations at each pub throughout the day!"
Paul, who was born in Cheshire and raised in Sheffield, rose to fame through the Housemartins, and then with The Beautiful South. More recently, he has partnered with Jacqui Abbott, who was also in The Beautiful South from 1994 until 2000.
Paul is now based in Manchester and performed a sell-out tour with his co-star in 2021. They are also performing at two stadiums this summer - St Helens on July 22 and Doncaster on July 23.
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