MONTREAL (AP) - Paul McCartney says Quebec nationalists need "to smoke the pipes of peace" over their opposition to his free concert celebrating French-speaking Quebec City's 400th anniversary.

McCartney's British roots have several artists and politicians are steamed over his participation in this weekend's birthday celebration. Since the festivities started, some have been critical about elements they feel are too English.

McCartney hopes to soothe the hard feelings by adding a few more French lines to the 1965 hit "Michelle." His only scheduled appearance in North America is expected to draw 200,000 people Sunday.