CHICAGO -- Toasting to old, dead partners and the mystery of their youths, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and movie critic Roger Ebert celebrated their 62nd birthdays together in the Second City.
Paul, only two years from being a fabled 64, is the sole survivor of the great pop songwriting team Lennon and McCartney.
Lennon was murdered in 1980.
Roger, still writing articles and hosting TV shows about movies, is the sole survivor of the famous movie-critic team Siskel and Ebert.
Siskel died of cancer just a few years ago.
"We thought it would be nice to have a toast and a meal together," said Roger, who still thinks The Beatles' movie A Hard Day's Night is one of the most groundbreaking films of our time.
"After all," Paul said, "we were born on the same day, just hours apart, and Roger still thinks The Beatles' movie A Hard Day's Night is one of the most groundbreaking films of our time."
Ebert and McCartney went to a movie after dinner, where they exchanged stories of their dead partners.
"I still don't believe Gene is dead," said Roger.
"I think John and I would have written songs together again," said Paul, "only this time my name would have come first in the credits."
