Paul McCartney Wanted in on Them Crooked Vultures

Without question, Them Crooked Vultures was one of the biggest musical surprises of 2009. The band seemingly came out of nowhere and within a couple of months, seemed to have a record already in the bag and ready for release and they were playing to sell-out crowds all across the country, without anyone hearing a single note of their music. Of course, the biggest buzz around the band was generated by its illustrious membership: Nirvana's Dave Grohl back behind the kit, Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme on the mic and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones slapping the bass.

But there was a minute there where Them Crooked Vultures nearly featured a Beatle. According to NME, legendary Beatles bass man Paul McCartney claims he asked Grohl about joining Them Crooked Vultures last year, after first hearing about the band. Grohl and McCartney went out for dinner after playing last year's Grammy Awards, and Dave told Paul about his new band with Homme.

"We went out for a bite to eat...and Dave told me he was starting this band with Josh [Homme]," says McCartney. "I asked him who was playing bass and he rather sheepishly told me he'd approached John [Paul Jones]. So, you read it here first: Paul McCartney was nearly the bass player in Them Crooked Vultures."

Imagine that -- Them Crooked Vultures with Sir Paul. Now that would've been one hell of a super group. McCartney, who appeared on 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell's U.K. talent show 'The X Factor' last year, also defended his decision to appear on the program.

"When the offer came through, it polarized a lot of people," says McCartney. "Lots of my friends told me not to do it and it's not exactly [Later With ...] Jools Holland. It's a pop show. But what turned me around -- apart from the huge audience -- was the fact that it's a family show, and so many kids I know are obsessed by it."