..and 43 years later, a Beatle decides to Rock Israel

Israel 1965: An official cancels a pre-scheduled Beatles concert in fear that the band would wreck the youth of the nation. 43, years later a Beatle decides to go back and perform, in hope the officials would act more sensible this time and not deny the public, its share of leisure.

Sir Paul McCartney announced on his website that he has planned a concert in Israel. It is scheduled for September 25 in Tel Aviv and McCartney is all excited about it. "We can't wait to get out there and rock," he said in a statement. "I've heard so many great things about Tel Aviv and Israel, but hearing is one thing and experiencing it for yourself is another."

Following various one-off concerts around the world this year including Kiev, Ukraine, Quebec, Canada and the European city of Liverpool, McCartney is going back to Israel not only for his curiosity but also, to oblige to an invitation.

Israel's ambassador in London expressed regret over the 1965 concert-cancelation to the surviving members of Beatles. He wrote a letter, saying that the country would like to make it up to them: come play during this year's celebrations marking Israel's 60th anniversary.

"Israel missed a chance to learn from the most influential musicians of the decade, and the Beatles missed an opportunity to reach out to one of the most passionate audiences in the world," Ambassador Ron Prosor wrote.

McCartney agreed to play, saying that the Israelis "will finally get the chance to experience a night of music and history they have been waiting decades for."

Even before McCartney’s announcement of the gig, tickets went on sale at prices ranging from 490 shekels ($140) to 1,500 shekels to ($427).

Yaakov Sarid was the Israeli official who prevented Beatles from performing in the country, more than four decades back. He passed away in 1976, but his son, 67-year-old Yossi Sarid, said through a newspaper column that his father was wrongly accused of canceling the Beatles’ concert.

According to him, it was not Sarid’s decision but an ordinary dispute between two Israeli concert promoters which withdrew the performance of the legendary band.

The truth remains obscure but the story involving Sarid has lived on. Though Yossi Sarid wants his father's name to be cleared, he accepts that the amusing story has taken on a life of its own.

"It's a nice story, in this case much nicer than the truth," he said.