I had the privilege of taking my son to see Paul McCartney yesterday, and the word privilege truly is fitting. After all, this guy is a legend, truly and surely. It goes without saying that he was a former member of the Beatles. He not only came up with some of the most beautiful and iconic songs to have graced the world over the past half a century and change, but he worked with some truly legendary artists as well, not least of all his former bandmates in the Beatles. Then, of course, you add to that his work with Wings, as well as his solo projects and collaborations with other incredible artists (such as Michael Jackson), and what you have in obtaining tickets to see this man is really a chance to see some veritable rock, and indeed music, history.
That was why I really wanted to make sure to that I took my son to see him. Already, I have taken my son to some concerts that he will likely remember for many years, even decades, to come. That includes having taken him to see Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band last year, as well as seeing Temple of the Dog last November (on election eve, as it turned out). Seeing how much Chris Cornell means to both of us, and his tragic death by suicide earlier this year, I feel particularly good about having taken him to see that one. I almost went with another friend who had expressed interest, but taking my son seems like a very good decision in retrospect, because as it turns out, there was not going to be another opportunity - something that I would not necessarily have believed had someone told me that last year.
It was with that frame of mind that I obtained these tickets for Paul McCartney four months and change ago. I knew that I wanted to get my son the opportunity to see both of the surviving Beatles while the opportunity was there. There were other people who expressed interest in seeing Paul McCartney, but this night was going to be reserved for my son - school night or not (and it was). After all, again, this should be a memory that lasts literally for decades. Hopefully, he can tell his children and grandchildren, truthfully, that he saw the last two surviving Beatles.
Now, here's the thing. technically, he had already been to a Paul McCartney concert. Yes, indeed, he went with us (his mom and I) when we went up to Quebec City in 2008, and Paul McCartney gave a free concert on the Plains of Abraham on the occasion of Quebec City's 400th anniversary. Ever since going, my memories have remained strong, and I remember this concert very fondly, in large part because my son, then a toddler, was there with us. He was too young to remember it, though.
Also, too young to really appreciate it. We stayed away from the massive crowds, choosing instead a place along Quebec's famous walls, and enjoying a more distant, but still good, view. It still can bring a smile to my face to remember that day, and how my son fell asleep after maybe the fourth song. He remained asleep for the duration of the concert, including the loud pyrotechnic fireworks during "Live and Let Die." It has kind of been the source of some jokes ever since, that he slept through all of that, as well as the fireworks display that came right after the show, even when we tried to wake him up, because he has always loved fireworks, even back then.
Now, of course, my son is older. He was old enough to really know some McCartney and Beatles music, as well as to appreciate a show like this. And looking back on the memories of this recent show in Brooklyn, it seems safe to say that he did indeed enjoy it. Hopefully, these are memories that will last a lifetime, and perhaps even be a story that he can truly pass down to his own children and grandchildren.
McCartney opened this particular concert up with an old Beatles classic, taking the stage to thunderous applause, before going into "A Hard Day's Night." It was clear that this was an enthusiastic crowd, eager to participate. The whole arena seemed to sing along throughout the entire night, and that included yours truly, much to the detriment of my neighbors, surely.
There were some surprises. This was the first time that I heard "Mr. Kite" from the Sgt. Pepper album performed live, and it was a great version!
He finished off with a flurry of classics, including "Let it Be," "Hey Jude," "Live and Let Die," "Yesterday," and then the clump of assembled songs that serve as the effective finale from the "Abbey Road" album, much like he did for the Quebec concert nine years and change ago.
Seeing him in Brooklyn was pretty cool, as well. After all, New York City has a lot of history intertwined with the Beatles. That includes some tragic history as well, because this was where John Lennon was slayed by an insane man who had asked for his autograph not too long beforehand. Later, he also performed "A Day in the Life," a brilliant and iconic Lennon contribution to the Beatles body of work. McCartney sang an emotional song in tribute to his fallen former bandmate. He also performed "Something" by George Harrison, using the same ukulele that Harrison had given him many years earlier. Also, McCartney performed "Here Today," the song that he wrote to honor Lennon after his untimely death.
As I watched McCartney on the stage during the show, some thoughts and personal memories came to me at various points. At one point, I thought about this guy, and how he and the rest of the Beatles were at one point in time relative unknowns, playing in clubs in Germany, and restricted to the tiny and overcrowded Cavern in Liverpool. And I remembered those clips of the screaming girls while the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show during their first, landmark tour of America, back in February of 1964 - well over half a century ago already! Those early years, when they were unbelievably popular, and then the change to a scruffier, more rebellious look, which coincided with their dramatic experimentation with music and philosophy. McCartney was kind of the heartthrob of the band, at least early on. And while he was the genius behind some of the band's most iconic tunes, which he played here, I also remembered the tensions that tore the band apart, and the rivalries that followed. Sometimes, it got very personal. I also recalled my own surprise at the video clip of McCartney seeming to be almost indifferent in response to the assassination of Lennon in 1980. He seemed to regret that video clip later on, but I suspect that, on some level, he took some of Lennon's attacks quite personally.
That was why I really wanted to make sure to that I took my son to see him. Already, I have taken my son to some concerts that he will likely remember for many years, even decades, to come. That includes having taken him to see Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band last year, as well as seeing Temple of the Dog last November (on election eve, as it turned out). Seeing how much Chris Cornell means to both of us, and his tragic death by suicide earlier this year, I feel particularly good about having taken him to see that one. I almost went with another friend who had expressed interest, but taking my son seems like a very good decision in retrospect, because as it turns out, there was not going to be another opportunity - something that I would not necessarily have believed had someone told me that last year.
It was with that frame of mind that I obtained these tickets for Paul McCartney four months and change ago. I knew that I wanted to get my son the opportunity to see both of the surviving Beatles while the opportunity was there. There were other people who expressed interest in seeing Paul McCartney, but this night was going to be reserved for my son - school night or not (and it was). After all, again, this should be a memory that lasts literally for decades. Hopefully, he can tell his children and grandchildren, truthfully, that he saw the last two surviving Beatles.
Now, here's the thing. technically, he had already been to a Paul McCartney concert. Yes, indeed, he went with us (his mom and I) when we went up to Quebec City in 2008, and Paul McCartney gave a free concert on the Plains of Abraham on the occasion of Quebec City's 400th anniversary. Ever since going, my memories have remained strong, and I remember this concert very fondly, in large part because my son, then a toddler, was there with us. He was too young to remember it, though.
Also, too young to really appreciate it. We stayed away from the massive crowds, choosing instead a place along Quebec's famous walls, and enjoying a more distant, but still good, view. It still can bring a smile to my face to remember that day, and how my son fell asleep after maybe the fourth song. He remained asleep for the duration of the concert, including the loud pyrotechnic fireworks during "Live and Let Die." It has kind of been the source of some jokes ever since, that he slept through all of that, as well as the fireworks display that came right after the show, even when we tried to wake him up, because he has always loved fireworks, even back then.
Now, of course, my son is older. He was old enough to really know some McCartney and Beatles music, as well as to appreciate a show like this. And looking back on the memories of this recent show in Brooklyn, it seems safe to say that he did indeed enjoy it. Hopefully, these are memories that will last a lifetime, and perhaps even be a story that he can truly pass down to his own children and grandchildren.
McCartney opened this particular concert up with an old Beatles classic, taking the stage to thunderous applause, before going into "A Hard Day's Night." It was clear that this was an enthusiastic crowd, eager to participate. The whole arena seemed to sing along throughout the entire night, and that included yours truly, much to the detriment of my neighbors, surely.
There were some surprises. This was the first time that I heard "Mr. Kite" from the Sgt. Pepper album performed live, and it was a great version!
He finished off with a flurry of classics, including "Let it Be," "Hey Jude," "Live and Let Die," "Yesterday," and then the clump of assembled songs that serve as the effective finale from the "Abbey Road" album, much like he did for the Quebec concert nine years and change ago.
Seeing him in Brooklyn was pretty cool, as well. After all, New York City has a lot of history intertwined with the Beatles. That includes some tragic history as well, because this was where John Lennon was slayed by an insane man who had asked for his autograph not too long beforehand. Later, he also performed "A Day in the Life," a brilliant and iconic Lennon contribution to the Beatles body of work. McCartney sang an emotional song in tribute to his fallen former bandmate. He also performed "Something" by George Harrison, using the same ukulele that Harrison had given him many years earlier. Also, McCartney performed "Here Today," the song that he wrote to honor Lennon after his untimely death.
As I watched McCartney on the stage during the show, some thoughts and personal memories came to me at various points. At one point, I thought about this guy, and how he and the rest of the Beatles were at one point in time relative unknowns, playing in clubs in Germany, and restricted to the tiny and overcrowded Cavern in Liverpool. And I remembered those clips of the screaming girls while the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show during their first, landmark tour of America, back in February of 1964 - well over half a century ago already! Those early years, when they were unbelievably popular, and then the change to a scruffier, more rebellious look, which coincided with their dramatic experimentation with music and philosophy. McCartney was kind of the heartthrob of the band, at least early on. And while he was the genius behind some of the band's most iconic tunes, which he played here, I also remembered the tensions that tore the band apart, and the rivalries that followed. Sometimes, it got very personal. I also recalled my own surprise at the video clip of McCartney seeming to be almost indifferent in response to the assassination of Lennon in 1980. He seemed to regret that video clip later on, but I suspect that, on some level, he took some of Lennon's attacks quite personally.
And really, it would be hard to blame him? The Beatles had all sorts of internal drama, and they had this dirty laundry aired before the entire world. They broke up, ultimately, but there were years of frustrations and in-fighting first. This was all new, because for the most part, this kind of thing tended to not be in the public eye so prominently before this. After all, popular culture was very different before the Beatles, and after the Beatles. But the Beatles changed how popular culture is perceived, much like they changed music. These were the guys who pioneered much of modern rock and pop. These were the guys who had so many number one hits, where almost every album is not only top quality, but historically good. These were the guys who were the first to have modern outdoor concerts. These were the guys who started the trend of incredible experimentation with their music, and became hugely influential as a result.
I know some people who actually hated, or possibly even still hate, the Beatles. But I do not know any major musicians who feel this way, and frankly, I am a bit surprised when I find some people that I otherwise respect and value, who nonetheless seem to have it in for the Beatles. How can you hate a band like this? First of all, every member is likable, with colorful personalities, and a deeper side when you dig a little deeper. But they were also musical geniuses, and together, they were able to get past their egos (more or less) to produce some of the most brilliant and lasting music of the latter 20th century. They fed off of one another, brought out the best in each other and in their musical ideas and innovation. For the most part, they did all of this while more or less remaining down to earth, at least in comparison to many of the over the top musical acts to come in the future. They still seem pretty down to earth, all things considered.
So, McCartney had been through all of that, and had come out better, seemingly for it. He was the center of the Beatles, along with Lennon. They had a well-known and much talked about rivalry and quarrel, and this went on for years after the break up of the Beatles. And through the hard times, he and Lennon and Harrison and Ringo remained friends, and continued to collaborate. Now, McCartney pays tribute to his dead friends and bandmates during each full-length concert that I have seen him in. He played one song by Harrison, and another by Lennon, along with the "Give Peace a Chance" tag. He also played a song in tribute to Lennon, written not long after Lennon was killed right here in New York City. In fact, McCartney probably played that song specifically because he was in New York, and it was more fitting than it would be elsewhere. What they had, and what they went through, was real. It was not always pretty, and indeed, much of it has been immortalized in tapes. I remember seeing some of the infighting while watching the Anthology videos, and seeing the process of creating music interrupted because someone or other wanted to voice their complaint, or it did not sound perfect, or perhaps even because their ego was getting in the way. And yet, when you boil it down, the music that they did manage to create was incredible, timeless, almost perfect, on many levels. It is why the Beatles continue to live on.
Setlist From 9/19/17 at the Barclays Center (taken from setlist.fm: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/paul-mccartney/2017/barclays-center-brooklyn-ny-7be21aa8.html)
A Hard Day's Night (The Beatles song)
Junior's Farm (Wings song)
Can't Buy Me Love (The Beatles song)
Jet (Wings song)
All My Loving (The Beatles song)
Let Me Roll It (Wings song) (followed by 'Foxy Lady' jam)
I've Got a Feeling (The Beatles song)
My Valentine
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five (Wings song)
Maybe I'm Amazed
We Can Work It Out (The Beatles song)
In Spite of All the Danger (The Quarrymen song)
You Won't See Me (The Beatles song)
Love Me Do (The Beatles song)
And I Love Her (The Beatles song)
Blackbird (The Beatles song)
Here Today
Queenie Eye
New
Lady Madonna (The Beatles song)
FourFiveSeconds (Rihanna and Kanye West and Paul McCartney cover)
Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles song)
I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles song)
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (The Beatles song)
Something (The Beatles song)
A Day in the Life (The Beatles song) (with Give Peace a Chance snippet)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (The Beatles song)
Band on the Run (Wings song)
Back in the U.S.S.R. (The Beatles song)
Let It Be (The Beatles song)
Live and Let Die (Wings song)
Hey Jude (The Beatles song)
Encore:
Yesterday (The Beatles song)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) (The Beatles song)
Helter Skelter (The Beatles song)
Birthday (The Beatles song)
Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover) (for Jimmy Fallon)
Golden Slumbers (The Beatles song)
Carry That Weight (The Beatles song)
The End
This was a great t-shirt for this particular series of McCartney concerts in New York, portraying the subway system codes. It sold out in a hurry, though.
The following were pictures taken by my son during the concert. The first one, which I posted above, was probably the best picture either of us took during this concert. He really has a good eye for picture taking. It seems to be a natural talent that he has, and certainly, the interest is there!
Here are some of my own video clips from this incredible concert!
Here is the clip of the pyrotechnics display during "Live and Let Die." I had told my son about the fireworks display, and how he slept through them during the Quebec concert in 2008, when he was still basically a toddler. Well, he jumped during the first explosion, and that made me laugh. That is essentially what this clip reveals, as you hear me laughing, and then a snippet of conversation afterward between us.
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