A Concert to Remember

 October 20, 2001

25 years since that night filled with emotions and pride -- The Concert for New York City 

Denny Seiwell - The Best and Worst of Times - A Book Review

Paul with two of his favorite drummers:  Abe and Denny S. 

Paul and Denny recording Ram 

 

While I was at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame a few weeks ago, I picked up a signed copy of Wings' first drummer, Denny Seiwell's biography.   It was a pretty quick read (180 pages), and I found it very heartwarming, inspirational, and informative. 

Denny was a successful drummer prior to joining Paul McCartney in Wings.  He did a variety of jingles and sessions for all styles of music.  The one thing he did prior to Wings was play the drums for songs from Schoolhouse Rock!  Yes -- that is Denny Seiwell playing drums on "Conjunction Junction."  

Denny tells the story of how he auditioned for Paul and Linda and began working with them on what became the Ram album.  From there, he was asked to join Wings, and of course, he couldn't say no to the opportunity to be in a band with a Beatle, so he and his wife moved to Scotland and started rehearsing and recording with the new band, Wings. 

I appreciate how candid and honest Denny was about the challenges and struggles he faced being in Paul McCartney's band.  He didn't sugarcoat the experience, but he also didn't just talk about the negative aspects.  I enjoyed reading the excitement of that first Wings University tour and the humor in the first drug bust.  

Denny wasn't making money to make ends meet with Wings and made the decision to quit right before the band left for Lagos to record Band on the Run.  After that Denny went into a depression and turned to alcohol while still working as a Session drummer in California. 

The rest of the book is the story of Denny's recovery from alcoholism and how he basically turned his life around.  I found it to be very inspiring.  As part of doing the 12 steps, Denny decided to reconcile with Paul McCartney for quitting Wings.  The two of them were never on bad terms to begin with, but there was much left unsaid.  After the reconciliation from Denny writing Paul a letter, they have spent time together.  Last year Denny went to see Paul and the band rehearse for the Got Back tour and had the opportunity to play drums with Paul once again.   

I won't go into the entire story but it was so sweet and was an amazing way to end the book. 

This has been one of the best books I have read in quite a while.  I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates Wings.

Was it worth it? Review of Paul McCartney Got Back Concert in Des Moines, Iowa 2025

 

"This better be worth it."  Those were the words I was saying to myself as I spent way too much money on tickets to see Paul McCartney in concert again.  As I was going through the torture of trying to get tickets online through Ticketmaster.  My tickets for Nashville were going in the online shopping cart and then getting kicked out and having to back into the queue, and discovering the show was sold out.   "This better be worth it,"  I said it again as I scrambled to find ANY Paul concert within driving distance of St. Louis.   I was able to buy two tickets for Des Moines and one ticket for the first night in Chicago.   The price was more than I have ever paid for any concert in my life, and so I sure hoped it was worth it. 

The Des Moines show was on Tuesday, October 14.  I blocked that day off my calendar so that I wouldn't have to work.  I assumed that I would not be called to work on Monday, October 13, because it is a holiday.   I was wrong.  I was assigned to go talk to teachers at a school outside of Chicago.  So I had to scramble to rearrange my plans, and I was flying to Des Moines from Chicago on Tuesday morning.  Things were getting complicated.  It REALLY better be worth it. 

When I arrived in Des Moines, I realized that I was not prepared for the cool weather.  I don't know what I was thinking, but I was wearing a short-sleeved Flaming Pie T-shirt.  I should have brought a jacket.  Nonetheless, I wanted to see Paul arrive and so I joined a group for the limo watch.  I saw some Beatle friends that I knew from the Fest and it was nice to talk to them.  My spirits really picked up as I spotted Brian Riddle directing traffic.  

We waited for about 2 hours for Paul to arrive.  As is typical of Paul, he was running late.  I don't know about anyone else, but my legs were hurting and my arms were cold.  I enjoyed talking to the Paul fans but will it be worth all of it just to see Paul drive by for a few seconds?   Then I heard the police sirens.  I felt excitement all over.  Then there he was:  Paul McCartney.  The SUV had slowed way down, and the window rolled down.  As the car rolled by, Paul waved and gave us a thumbs-up.  He yelled "Happy birthday" to someone who had a sign about how it was his birthday.  It was the most thrilling few seconds ever.  Unless you are lucky enough to meet the man, the limo watch is the closest you can possibly get to the man. He looked so good.  He looked so happy.  Yells of "We love you, Paul!" filled the street in Des Moines.   When it was all over, I heard someone say to no one in particular, "That was so worth it!"  And I had to agree.  The group all bonded over that moment and exchanged photos with one another.  Nothing beats making new Beatle friends. 

Photo taken by Sara Schmidt 

So the limo watch was well worth my time, but what about the concert?  To get into the concert, the crowd was insane.  The Casey Center in Des Moines, Iowa, was unorganized.  There were so many different lines of people around the venue, and no one knew what the lines were for.  Merch?  VIP? What?  There was an incline, and it was difficult to walk up the hill at times because the line was moving slowly.  It felt like it took forever to get into the venue.  You had to have the "tickets" in your Apple Wallet on your phone.  People were confused.  You had to have a clear bag if you brought a purse.  People didn't have that. Concertgoers need to do more research before attending a gig.  

But once I finally went inside and found my seat and heard the end of DJ Chris playing Macca songs, all those issues were no longer important.  For the next 3 hours, I was surrounded by Paul McCartney's music. All of the problems in my personal life and in the world melted away, and I was inside a magic bubble of peace and love. 

The concert itself was so much fun!  Paul did basically the same set that he had been doing for the past 15 years.  He told a few "new" stories (maybe  I will give my thoughts on that later), but the same silly jokes (sign my butt has not gone anywhere).  There were a few new additions.   He started the show with "Help!," and I might be the only fan who does like him doing that, so I will keep my thoughts to myself about it.   I heard him perform "Now and Then," which was new for me.  That was actually one of the highlights of the show for me.  It was such a moving song when paired with the video screens with images Paul took of the Beatles playing in the background.  

Paul sounds like an 80-something old man when he sings.  I am not going to sugarcoat his voice issues.  It is especially prevalent during "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Helter Skelter."  But you can hear that older tone in all of his songs. The thing is that when you are in the McCartney bubble, it doesn't bother you.  Nowadays, I don't like to listen to bootlegs of current Paul shows because of his voice -- yet when you are there live with Paul, it is a totally different situation.  Even with the change in his voice, Paul can still rock!  The show he puts on with Brian, Rusty, Wix, Abe, and the brass players will knock you out.  It is just amazing. 

This audience was 100% there for the Beatles songs, which is always disappointing.  They were up on their feet at the start of the show, but once he started on "Letting Go," everyone was sitting down again.  The solo and even Wings songs did not go over very well.  Once again, "My Valentine" has turned into a "bathroom break" for many in the audience.   I will never understand why people will go to a Paul show and get up and leave and get food and drinks many times during the performance.   I paid a LOT of money to see Paul, and I am not going to miss a microsecond of it.  

So was it worth it?  Yes!  It was worth the large amount of money I paid. It was worth the hassle of getting tickets.  It was worth dealing with my change of schedule, the weather, the long queues, and the people getting up and down during the show.  I got to spend time with my mom and Paul McCartney, and that is priceless to me.  Memories were made, and for a few hours, my problems were no longer important.  I can't put a price tag on that.  

With the high ticket prices, a lot of fans are not able to make it to the shows.   I want to personally say how sad that makes me.  I wish everyone who loves Paul could see this tour. However, going to a Paul McCartney concert or not does not make you a better or bigger fan than anyone else.  Please do not allow anyone to bully you for not seeing Paul in concert.  But if you get a chance to see the Got Back tour, please do it because you will leave there happier than when you arrived. 

All photographs taken by Sara Schmidt 

Mexican Soundcheck

 May 28, 2010

Your panel of judges....

 March 23, 2010

Two bass players

Photo by Fernando Aceves

 Paul with famed Mexican bass player, Abraham Laboriel who also happens to be the father of Paul's drummer, Abe!  (Okay -- so I didn't know that!) 

The Boys are Back!

 Paul and the band are currently in rehearsals for this year's "Got Back" tour.  How many of you have tickets?  

Never Forgotten

 

Every year on this date, I like to take a moment to remember the people who tragically died on September 11, 2001, in the terrorist attack on the United States.  At that time, I promised to "never forget" the brave men and women who were first responders and those who had just woken up and gone to work that day and never came home.  Posting a little something once a year on this site is my way of ensuring we don't forget. 

The above photo was taken at a Paul concert in 2017.  Paul met the man who designed this logo to remember 9-11.   He had met Paul backstage before the show (see the 9-11 tag for the photo) but was very surprised during the encore when Paul came back with the American flag and Abe appeared with his 9-11 flag.   Then Paul posted both photos on social media.   The guy who designed the symbol was proud but even more proud of the fact that Paul felt it was important to remember what happened.  

Paul Playing on the Roof again

 

July 15, 2009 -

This was a really great moment -- Paul McCartney and his band played on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City for a David Letterman Show.   It was not announced ahead of time and word spread quickly (as I am sure you can imagine) throughout New York.   Did any of you see this live?

Many Paul's to see in Finland

 

June 17, 2004

Paul and the band rocks Cochella 2009

 April 17, 2009 

Concert for TM

Photo taken at the rehearsal 

 

April 4, 2009 -  Ringo and Paul perform in concert together.  

The Man in Red

 April 5, 2003 -   When I think of the Driving Rain tour -- I always picture Paul wearing red.   That was sort of the color of that tour.   

Driving Mexico

 

November 2, 2002