Spike Milligan's Quote That Inspired Paul McCartney's 1982 Hit - The Story Behind "Ebony and Ivory"!

'Ebony and Ivory', Paul McCartney's duet with Stevie Wonder, is a hymn to the racial harmony that marked the 80s. But did you know that the inspiration came from a phrase by comedian Spike Milligan? "Black notes, white notes, and you need to play them both to make harmony, guys!" In 1978, amid racial tensions in the United Kingdom, McCartney wrote the song on his farm in Scotland. Despite being criticized today for its simplicity, it was number 1, banned in Apartheid Africa and transcended borders. Milligan from The Goon Show borrowed the idea (originally from James Aggrey). The single celebrated racial unity and Motown influences that marked the Beatles. McCartney has always had a connection with comedy, producing singles and admiring Monty Python. Even with Milligan's controversies, the phrase generated a classic that still plays in karaoke bars around the world. This story shows how unexpected influences create art that unites generations. Paul McCartney has once again proven his genius in transforming a simple idea into a global hit! [Include image: Credit: Far Out / Alamy]