Sir Paul McCartney and other top performers waived
their habitual large fees and played for a token pound (1.55 dollars)
at the Olympics opening ceremony in London, organizing committee
LOCOG confirmed Monday.
The nominal fee was paid to the ex-Beatle, as well as Mike
Oldfield, rapper Dizzee Rascal and others for contractual purposes,
after they had all offered to appear for free.
It means that the star names were paid less than one-twentieth of
the cost of the cheapest ticket for the ceremony, where the best
seats cost 2,012 pounds.
Many of the dancers and actors contracted to take part were paid
the professional rate, although the vast majority were volunteers who
gave their services for free.
Film director Danny Boyle, who masterminded the opening ceremony
Friday, dedicated the show to the volunteers.
