Sir Paul McCartney leads the league in so many categories. Hits, albums, tours, fans, and most importantly, as the band I’ve seen more than any other (besides the Tuxedo Cats).
He’s touring again. Yes, again. One more time? Who knows? When he takes the stage at Globe Life Park in Arlington, he will be four days shy of his 77th birthday, with no signs of slowing down.
Year after year he hits the road, singing the soundtrack to our lives. His show is three hours long, with no breaks. As a 61 year old band guy, I don’t know if I’ve ever done that.
His set is approximately 35 to 40 songs, about half 60s/Beatles, half 70s/Wings, with a sprinkling of various solo songs or tracks from whatever his latest project is. His most recent album “Egypt Station” will likely be represented with a track or two.
But he knows why we come. He gets it. He play the hits. And he watches the memories and the sentiments flow.
A Paul McCartney concert is an emotional experience. You’ll see kids wide eyed and engaged. You’ll see groups of old friends with their arms around each other’s shoulders, swaying and singing along to Let It Be. You’ll see old guys. Standing stoic. Arms folded. One hand covering their bottom lip. Teary-eyed.
The Ed Sullivan era songs. The touching acoustic set. The pyrotechnics of the explosive “Live and Let Die”. And “Hey Jude”…
Don’t get me started.
What is that? What causes this impassioned response from millions? I don’t know. The mystery of music I guess? But this something different. This is extra. This is the Beatles. And they have no musical rival.
I saw them Cincinnati in 1966 with my older sibs at the tender age of eight. In 1976 at eighteen (and by then a “veteran” fan), it was Wings with my little sister Lisa, also in my hometown. A twenty six year drought was followed by Dallas shows in 2002 with my buddies Bill, Mike and Pat, and again in 2005 when Lois and I went with Paul and Rita Baloche. Paul is as big a Beatle-freak as me.
Then Lois and I drove to New York City to see “Macca” in 2009 for the first-ever event at the Mets’ brand new Citifield. Paul and Rita also attended that show. It was crazy. It rained on us. We got very little sleep. But they made a live album out of it, and we got to take big bite out of the Big Apple. It’s memory I’ll always cherish.
Most recently it was back in Dallas and I took my son Michael. He grew up hearing the Beatles and is a fan. It was a special event and I’m thankful I got to share it with him. I honestly thought that would probably be the last time, and I treated it that way. After all, six times to see any band seems ample. But again, with this particular artist, the standards are raised.
So then early this year I got a call from my old pal Dave. He said let’s go. I thought about it for what I’m sure was at least seven seconds and said, “Let’s do it!” So Dave and his wife Stella and Lois and I will be there Friday with bells on.
That decision was nearly six months ago. We’ve been anticipating it all this time. And I can’t believe it’s finally here. We are absolutely giddy. One of my favorite aspects this time around is seeing how excited my friend is. He’s never seen Paul and the hysteria is building exponentially. This is gonna be so good.
To sweeten the deal, I’ve since learned of other friends who will be there. My friend and worship pastor Sean and his wife are going. Sean shared with me since he’s a singer, he just sings every note of every song, and he hopes he’s not a nuisance to his seat neighbors. He assured me it will be an emotional night for him. And he’s “only” 36 years old. His dad, likely about my age, a huge Beatles fan.
Then I found out my buddy and guitar hero Todd is going with a group of friends, including his girlfriend Leah, our friend Kelly, and our pal and bass player Steve. And they’re only a couple sections away from us!
Neither Todd nor Steve have seen Paul, and I love what Todd said today. He’s so excited, he said “I don’t even want to sleep! I want to stay up until Friday!” I laughed out loud! And Steve is such a rock historian, I know he and I will be texting Beatles/Wings trivia all night.
Seeing these friends so happy in anticipation only heightens what already promises to be an unforgettable night. I’ve often said of significant emotional events, mostly about negative experiences, but it can apply in any occasion.
“The anticipation often outweighs the actual event.”
Not here. I’ve seen this show enough to know that the event is even better than expected. It’s just that good. So I look forward to seeing Paul for yes, a seventh time. And again, maybe for the last time.
But who knows?