It was 20 years ago today -- The Concert for George

 November 29, 2002

It was 20 years ago today

All of George's friends came to play....

The Concert For George was such a beautiful tribute to George Harrison.  I really cannot think of a better tribute for him.  

A wave on the way out

 November 22, 2002

Back in Japan

 November 9, 2002

Driving Mexico

 

November 2, 2002 

Paul comes to St. Louis

 October 9, 2002 -  It was 20 years ago today that I first heard Paul McCartney play....

I went to my very first Paul McCartney concert 20 years ago.   It was at the Savvis Center in St. Louis  Before the concert, I was listening to the radio and heard Favaaz interviewing Paul (photos seen here).  The most memorable thing from the concert was singing "Happy Birthday" to John with the entire arena and Paul leading the singing.   

Paul and Heather to-go

 July 3, 2002  

Group Photo

 June 5, 2002 

The ART of McCartney

 May 23, 2002

Driving Los Angeles

 May 4, 2002 - Los Angeles 

This is a classic early 2000s Paul concert photo.   

The Tonight Show

 May 3, 2002 -  Paul and Heather are on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.   When they come back from the break, we find Paul and Vickie from the Tonight Show Band singing an amazing duet of "Let it Be" and Paul keeps his arm around her the entire time!   What an amazing moment that must be in Vickie's life!  

Paul starts touring again -- 20 years ago

 April 5, 2002 - Las Vegas

Paul McCartney hit the road and went back on tour for the first time in 9 years with a brand new band.  Here it is 20 years later and Paul is STILL touring with this same band.   I am so glad that Paul decided to keep touring after Linda passed away.   At the time I had serious doubts that he would tour without her -- but there he is -- still going strong! 

Charity Event

 March 16, 2002 

The Pride of Britain

 March 3, 2002 -  Paul McCartney at the Pride of Britain Awards

Life of the Party

 

February 13, 2002 

Paul played the Superbowl 20 years ago

 

February 3, 2002 -  Remember when Paul played the Superbowl 20 years ago?  It was actually really exciting.   I can't stand football, and I think this was the only time I ever actually watched any part of the game.   

To understand the excitement of this performance, you have to remember that it was just 5 months since 9/11 and for Beatle fans, just 2 months after George's death.   It was just a sad time in the country.  Paul's anthem, "Freedom" was just what we needed at that time.   So for Paul to come onto the television and perform that song for everyone was very exciting and emotional.   The performance was right before the game actually started.   The musicians that we now consider to be "Paul's band" were all there:  Rusty, Brian, Abe and Wix.   There were cheerleaders waving pompoms.   Then a gigantic Statue of Liberty banner was raised behind the band while people marched in front of the stage with flags from around the globe.   It was a tear-jerker of a performance and one that has always stayed in my mind.  

Driving to number 1

 

Paul McARTney

I know, I know---many people want to erase this time in Paul's life and I had these photos floating around to post for over a year and debated if I should post them.  However---I really like these photos.  I love Paul meeting the kids from the Children's art competition.   And Paul looks good wearing a purple tie.

Trying to blend in with the crowd

Flowers for Ritchie

I would just die if this ever happened to me.   Look how close this fan is to Ringo!  

A Life in Parts: A book review

Heather Mills, Loretta Goebel and her daughter, Alyssa

Paul and Loretta Goebel after Paul's concert in Chicago in 2002.

For the past month or so, there has been a bit of a buzz around my town about this book called A Life in Parts and the local girl who is featured in the book.  Everyone here in the St. Louis metro area on the "east side" seems to have read the book, heard of the book, or has been talking about it. When I found out that this book was about a woman who met Paul McCartney, I was interested.  But the book isn't really about a Beatles meeting.

A Life in Parts by Vicki Bennington and Daniel Brannon is the story of Loretta Goebel, who one day hit her hand on the banister in her home.  As a result, she got something called strep toxic shock syndrome, and after almost losing her life, she had to have both of her legs, one full hand, and part of another hand amputated.  During her recovery and while she was trying to make sense of everything that happened, Heather Mills contacted her.  Loretta and Heather formed a bond, and Heather was very helpful to Loretta in dealing with the emotional handling she was going through, as well as telling her about getting a prosthetic leg that looked more natural and would fit her better than the big clunky one she had.  

When Paul's 2002 tour came to Chicago, Heather invited Loretta to go backstage and meet her famous husband.  Loretta kept in touch with Heather and Paul, and when she went to England to receive her nice, new prosthetic leg, she even went over to their London home (which I assumed was Cavendish) and tells in the book how the hand-written lyrics to "Yesterday" are framed and hanging over Paul's piano in the house.  How cool!!!  

Paul has given this quote used to promote the book:

"Loretta has such a positive attitude.  I'm proud of how she handled all the obstacles she had to overcome and the way she reaches out to help others."

 One thing I gained from reading this book is a new understanding and respect for Heather Mills (who wrote the forward for this book). It seems like because of the things that went on during their divorce, it is the popular thing for a Beatles fan to hate Heather Mills.  But this book really showed her compassion and her big heart.  These must have been the things that Paul saw in Heather in the first place. Paul and Heather currently seem to have a good relationship as parents of Beatrice, and I think it is time for us as fans to move on.  The jokes and unkind words towards her aren't putting us fans of the Beatles in a good light.  Heather has done more good for people than she has done harm.

Anyhow, as well as having a very nice Paul McCartney connection, A Life in Parts is a very good book that really shows that you can do anything in spite of your disability or circumstances. Loretta is a woman who has so much courage and strength and is truly admirable. It is a quick read and is well worth reading.

I emailed Loretta yesterday asking for her permission to post her photos and write a little about her story, and she was very kind to give me permission. So, a big thank you goes out to her!


The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this book.  I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/3wKD2pT