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 

Best birthday wishes for Paul

 June 16, 2022

I hope you all had a nice time celebrating Paul McCartney's 80th birthday yesterday.  I know that I sure did.  More importantly, I hope that Sir Paul himself enjoyed his special day. 

You want some peace and understanding....

Photo taken by Marvin Gee (posted with permission)

Paul sings "Coming Up" (with the video on the screen behind him) during the soundcheck in Baltimore on June 12, 2022.   
 

Dance Tonight

 June 7, 2007 - Electric Proms 

Group Photo

 June 5, 2002 

Driving Los Angeles

 May 4, 2002 - Los Angeles 

This is a classic early 2000s Paul concert photo.   

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! 

Happy Birthday Abe!

 I am excited to see Paul in concert again in May -- but I am also excited to see Abe play the drums again too.   Happy 51st birthday to Abe!  

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.  

RIP The Ticket Queen

Yesterday, March 31 Shelley Lazar, who was known to many as "The Ticket Queen" passed away after a battle with cancer. 

Shelley was the founder of the modern-day VIP tickets for the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney (as well as many, many others).     She was the soundcheck person and was super kind to all of Paul's fans at the soundchecks.    At some small events, should personally find Paul's fans and get them moved closer to Paul because she thought the fans should be up front and not people that were there just because they had money.    

I am certain that I met Shelley during my soundcheck experience in Memphis in 2013.    Although I wouldn't have had any clue as to who she was.     I wish I did get to know her because in all of the photos I see with her and Paul fans, Shelley is happy and smiling.     Peace to her family and friends during this time. 

Why I love seeing Paul McCartney

Over the past year I have read numerous articles about why people refuse to see Paul McCartney in concert anymore.      And while I respect their decisions, I thought since I just saw Paul in concert this past Friday in Des Moines, Iowa, that I would share with you all the reasons why I still LOVE seeing Sir Paul in concert every chance that I get.  

The three reasons I hear most often as to why people don't go to a Paul show is 1.  It is too expensive  2.  Paul's voice sounds bad   3.  He never changes the set list.

I have to agree fully with reason #1.  It is too expensive.   There is no reason except for the fact that people (like myself) will pay the enormous prices as to why it costs so much to see a concert these days.   Paul's shows are especially expensive when you add in the cost of travel and hotel to the price of  the ticket.      And if you can't afford to see Paul in concert, then I get it.   If it is out of your budget, I feel really bad for you because Paul's shows shouldn't be so expensive that his most devoted fans cannot afford to go.    But if you CAN afford it and chose not to out of a protest that the prices are too high---well---it isn't working because his concerts are always sold out.

The second reason doesn't matter much to me.   Paul is 75 years old.    And while I think he still sounds pretty good, his voice is not as strong as it used to be.    I am okay with that.    When you are at the concert, you get what I call "tunnel ears" and he sounds good while you are there.   Then you listen back to it on youtube and think, "whoa---that wasn't what I remember it sounding like at all."   Do I wish he would drop certain songs out of the set list or lower the key?   Yes!    But the strength of Paul's voice has nothing to do with why I see him in concert.

The set list will always be a debate among fans.     Do you really think Paul is going to take out "Hey Jude" or "Yesterday?"    I think people that have never seen him in concert deserve to hear him sing the classics.     I think Paul tries to walk that thin line between performing songs that the die-hard fans want to hear, songs he wants to perform and songs he is expected to perform.     He should change things up.   He has a vast catalogue of great songs to chose from---but he mixes things up enough to please me.


So why do I go??   Here are my Top 5 reasons:

Paul leads the singing of "Hey Jude"  Photo taken by Sara Schmidt 

1.  I get to sing Beatles songs with an actual Beatle--

I am not the biggest fan of the song "Hey Jude," but you can't beat having Paul McCartney himself--the guy that wrote the song lead you in singing "Hey Jude," or "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da."   How many chances do you have in your life to sing a Beatles songs with one of the Beatles??    I don't know about you, but I am going to jump on that opportunity whenever I can.

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

2.  Someone will get acknowledged by Paul!

In Des Moines, before the show, Brian Riddle came around and read my sign.  He wrote it down in a book along with my seat number.   I was in the running for actually getting to go on stage and meet Paul!    And while I wasn't the one chosen, it was beyond exciting to know that someone, possibly someone I actually know, was going to get that opportunity.     The lucky family that went up on stage were someone that I had spoken to during the limo watch.    Plus---my friend Tammy had her sign read during the show!    Also during the song "Something" Paul noticed that during the song a guy proposed to his girl and talked to them about it.     Maybe it is because I run a blog about people having person interactions with Paul McCartney, but I love this stuff.   Seeing it happen in my presence makes it extremely worth my time.

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

3  The thrill of the first moments 

I think I experience the highest level of adrenaline in my whole life the moments a Paul McCartney concert starts.    The lights go dark and you see that image of a Hofner bass on the screen and the sounds of "The End" are playing.     And then there he is!    Not a look alike.    Not a fake.   But the real Paul McCartney.   The guy that was friends with John Lennon.    The guy that I have spent most of my adult life reading and learning about.   There he is.   In the same room that I am in.    At that moment it doesn't matter to me that there are thousands of other people also in that room.    And as the first notes to "A Hard Day's Night" start, I just can't control it any longer and I let out the most Beatlemaniac scream I can.     NOTHING else is the world compares to that feeling.    

Look closely---that is Paul and Nancy in there!

2.  The limo watch 

If you have never gone to a Paul McCartney limo watch, you really should!    It is a great FREE activity.    You don't even have to have tickets to the concert to go to the limo watch.    Limo watches are fun.   The one in Des Moines was a bit disappointing because Paul waited to roll down his window, Nancy blocked my view of Paul and we were really far away.   However, I am glad that I went.    I was able to talk to other fans from all over the world.   (Hello limo watch people!)   We saw the band leave the bus,  Paul's videographer Charlie, his photographer MJ and of course Brian Riddle.  They even had water out for us.     The local news came around and interviewed us.    It was all so much fun and we got to see Paul for about 5 seconds to boot.   For me, the limo watch is worth it because it gets me ready for the show.   I wouldn't miss it!

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

1.  The Experience 

To me this is the key point that those that refuse to see Paul in concert are missing.   For me, it is not a concert---it is an experience.     An experience that gives me a lot of happiness.     From the anxiety of ordering the tickets to collecting Paul confetti once the show is over---the whole thing is an experience that I love.  I like looking at  the Beatles t-shirts of  fans in the audience while reading signs before the show as I jam to DJ Chris' Paul mix.   I love looking at the variety of Paul pictures during the "video."   I have fun  dancing to the music of  live Paul McCartney.   I laugh as I  hear his same old tired jokes.  I like seeing the different guitars he plays during the show.    I enjoy the fire of "Live and Let Die."  I love seeing Brian, Rusty, Wix and Abe play their instruments with the passion that they have. 

   From meeting up with other fans, to seeing Paul give a thumbs up at the limo watch, to having Paul confetti fall on me---the whole experience makes me happy.      For me (and I can't stress that enough), it doesn't matter what Paul sounds like.    It really doesn't.     I am not there to hear Paul McCartney, although that is part of the experience.    I am there for the full package.   I know that Paul isn't going to be with us forever and there will come a day when I will look back without regret on the concerts I attended.    

Happy Birthday Abe!

Paul McCartney current drummer, Abe Laboriel Jr. is celebrating a birthday today and I wanted to wish him a happy birthday and many more to come.     After Ringo, I have to say that Abe is my 2nd favorite drummer that played with Paul (sorry Joe English, you used to be 2nd place, but Abe stole it from you).     He looks like he really is enjoying himself ever time I see Paul in concert.   He is smiling and goofing around---ever see him during the song "Dance Tonight?"    And his drummer is excellent.    It would have to be intimidating for anyone to have to reproduce the drumming on Beatles and Wings classic songs.     And yet Abe does it well every time I have seen him live or on video.  

Keep up the great work Abe Laboriel Jr.!

5 Reasons why Paul McCartney is worth seeing in a stadium---at least once!

Photo by Coral Schmidt 

Tonight for Wednesday Review I am going to talk about the Paul McCartney concert I saw at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on August 13, 2016.    As I have said before, since Paul McCartney can do no wrong in my eyes, it isn't fair for me to "review" a Paul concert.   I am a Beatles fan.  I love Paul McCartney--obviously you do too and you will most likely agree with me, that his concerts are awesome.  

I was able to again see Paul arrive at the venue and saw him quickly (the fastest ever!) drive by and wave to the extremely small group of fans gathered around.   Why was it such a small group?   Well, a big group had gathered and then some guy texted his buddy who worked security inside the stadium and asked if McCartney had arrived yet.   His friend texted back that Paul was inside.   The news quickly spread and a lot of fans dispersed.    However, a few of us "Fans on the Run" loyals were suspicious of that news, because we saw police setting up more barricades, and so we waited about 15 more minutes and low and behold---here he came!    I got nervous and only snapped a photo of a police guard, but luckily my mom got a decent shot of the moment.

Photo by Coral Schmidt

My opinion is that Paul's voice sounded much stronger than it had in April in Little Rock.   "Maybe I'm Amazed" was still rough and I still think needs to be cut from his set, but other songs such as "You won't see me" were spot on and sounded great.   However, the audience in Little Rock was much, much better than the audience in St. Louis.    If it wasn't a Beatles song, the St. Louis crowd didn't like it---and I should point out if it wasn't a Beatles song that they knew.     The guy behind me kept a running commentary for me to know what he thought of each song.   He would often say things like "Finally a Beatles song!"   I know "In spite of all the danger" is a Quarry Men song, but it is on a Beatles' album, so I thought it should be considered a Beatles song.   And rude of all was after Paul was explaining how he had written "Here Today" as a conversation with John that he never had, people decided en mass to take a potty break during the song in tribute to John Lennon.   How disrespectful.      But it is their loss, because I personally had an amazing time!

People told me over and over that I would not enjoy seeing Paul at a stadium and while stadium concerts sure have their issues, I am going to let you know why I think all fans should experience Paul McCartney in a stadium setting---at least once!

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

5.   It is an outdoor concert.    There is just something fun about seeing a concert outdoors at night.  The atmosphere is different.   And as long as you have decent weather and a nice breeze, it can be a great experience.   Paul McCartney under the stars--you can't beat that!

4.   Live and Let Die    If you have ever experienced a Paul McCartney concert since 1976, you will know that the song "Live and Let Die" is a sight to be seen.   The pyrotechnics is amazing.   Well if you see Paul at a stadium, it is ten times bigger than it is in an arena!   The fireworks go off and the fire is blazing.   Photos and video does not do it it justice.  Really--it is something you have to be there and experience yourself!

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

3.  The Sound.   The Beatles had a terrible experience with the sound system in large stadiums in the 1960's.   Thankfully times have changed and the sound system has improved greatly over the years.   I thought the whole concert sounded better in the stadium than in an arena.   There was a bit of an echo and I liked that as well.  


2. You get to hear the soundcheck for FREE.    With an outdoor venue, it is easy to hear what is going on in the stadium on the outside of the venue.   I saw on the news that many people that weren't able to get tickets to the concert, stood outside and listened to it and some were standing in the right spot to even be able to see the big screens.     Well---I did the same thing, but with the soundcheck.  I couldn't see anything, but I heard the entire soundcheck while sitting at the 3rd base entrance.   I got to hear songs like "On my way to work" and "Let 'em in" that I wouldn't have heard otherwise.   Sure being at the soundcheck is awesome, but hearing it was the next best thing.

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

1.  Sharing the moment.   During the song "Let it Be" everyone traditionally gets out their cell phones and shines the light in the way that oldtimes will remember doing with a lighter.    I was on the field and I turned around and saw 40,000 people all shining their lights around the stadium.  It was enough to give you goosebumps.     There I was---sharing this moment with all of these other people that love Paul McCartney and the song "Let it Be."     Paul was touched too because he stated, "thank you for all the lights."      That was something that I had never experienced in the arena setting and I am glad to have been there for it.


Yes, there are a LOT of reasons why arena shows are better than stadium shows.   But stadium shows are worth a try--at least once!

Remembering Prince

I grew up listening and dancing to Prince music.    I wasn't a huge fan, but I did like the hit songs and found Prince to be an interesting character.  Songs such as "1999,"  "When Doves Cry,"  "Let's go Crazy" and "Kiss" were a soundtrack for my generation.     Like the rest of the world, I was shocked when I saw the news this afternnoon that he had died.    How unexpected and extremely sad for his family, friends and fans around the globe.

Prince had to have been a Beatles fan because he would perform Beatles songs from time to time.   There are clips out there of him performing "With a little Help from my friends" and other songs.   The most popular and outstanding time he performed a Beatles song was during the 2004 induction ceremony into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.   Prince was inducted that year as was George Harrison.   And as is customary, all of the inductees perform songs together.   One of the songs performed that night was George's "While my guitar Gently Weeps."   On stage was Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and doing a remarkable and perfect guitar solo:  Prince.     His solo made that song an amazing tribute to George Harrison and almost made you wish he was around in 1968 instead of Clapton!  

Last year, during the SNL after party, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift (along with Jimmy Fallon) performed 'I saw her Standing there" and "Shake it up."     Prince also performed "Let's go Crazy" that night.   And while I couldn't find a photo of Prince and McCartney together, this photo shows Prince with Abe (Paul's drummer) in the background.

I want to send my deep condolences to everyone in the Prince fan community.    I am so sorry for your loss.  Not only the loss of the man himself, but the loss of the concert experience and music.   From one fandom to another----we are here for you!

Stuck between two drummers