EventsPaul McCartney's American Concert
This summer has seen record breaking heat in the Midwest. Sahara Desert, while wearing a turtleneck sweater in August, hot. But for one night, one lone Thursday evening orphaned from its weekly family of scorch, Mother Nature cooled it down a bit.
On the banks of the Ohio River, metal birds patrolled the sky, helicopters circling above like vultures, while nautical vessels of all proportions inched near the venue, hoping to land prime real estate, perhaps steal the tunes from a neutral position.
For many, the evening began with a cocktail or three, a limo, perhaps a carnivorous feast at one of the famed Jeff Ruby dining experiences. For us, it was Subway, not because we were eating light, but because we had scored great field seats and the college funds of future generations had been breached. But we did not care; not on this night.
Leaving Northern Kentucky on foot, we crossed Cincinnati's Roebling Suspension Bridge the buzz and energy from the other side growing with each step, and within seconds found ourselves at the gates of Great American Ballpark. Home of the Reds Cincinnati.
On this majestic eve in the Queen City, a Knight held court. Sir Paul McCartney.
Like many, I have always respected McCartney. He is a legend as a Beatle, as a Wing, and as a solo artist. He is an icon as a philanthropist, a peace activist, and a man. Like many in the crowd of about 50,000, (which ranged from ages 1-101) I somehow knew every song by heart, an odd caveat from an artist who does not hold residence in my shuffle. Did not hold residence. After this performance, his last in North America on this tour, my respect turned into fanaticism. I was hardly alone.
As we purchased two waters that cost more than dinner, took one final trip to the porta- john, and gazed in awe at the 100,000 eyes peeled towards center field at the grand stage, there he suddenly was. Onstage, on time. Sixty nine years old going on forty five, a genius clothed in a splashy red jacket, instantly consumed by deafening applause. With a panoramic turn of the head, the sight of an entire stadium shaking filled our vision, every screw, every rafter thunderously bouncing.
And then he started.
“Hello, Goodbye”
“Junior's Farm”
“All My Loving”
Explosive drummer and crowd favorite Abe Laboriel, Jr
“Yesterday”
Anecdote after anecdote, story after story. Like a ping pong ball, batting back and forth, from guitar to ukulele to the ivory. With more charm than a bracelet, McCartney wowed heads of industry and ground crew alike between the thirty- seven song set list. Often humorous (Did you hear the one about Jimi Hendrix asking Eric Clapton to hop onstage and tune his ax?), sometimes poignant (From the racially charged Black Bird to an open letter to John Lennon), and always from the heart, Sir Paul interacted with the audience in a way that made us each feel as if we were breaking bread with him in Liverpool. The Fifth Beatle. All fifty thousand of us.
Backing him was a collective that is vastly more talented than anything on the synthetic pop scene today. Abe Laboriel Jr., the hulking drummer, would have easily stolen the show had the front man been anyone but Paul. With his whimsical humor and aggressive, anguished face tempo, he ably played as well as Ringo (or Pete Best) might have. Paul “Wix” Wickens, Brian Ray, and Rusty Anderson completed the ballsiest background in modern music history-who else would want to follow in the Fab Four’s footsteps? With their assistance, we literally could recognize no difference between an original 45 LP and Paul and the boys, live.
Not once did McCartney appear tired, though our much younger contingent at one point had to sit down-blasphemous, we know. Not once did Sir Paul take a sip of water. In an era where performers 1/3 his age hold 30 minute sets and cancel shows for “exhaustion”, McCartney, the human Red Bull, schooled the world on how to give a concert. Several hours, thirty seven near continuous smash hits, two encores, and 50,000 witnesses to history. The ticket price was justified.
Something on George's Ukulele
As we attempted to leave midway through the final explosive encore-again, blasphemous- a fifty-something woman begged me for my field access wrist band. I obliged, and off she ran like a school girl, something the aloof and dashing McCartney seems to do to every woman in his path. After the show, the city lingered, not wanting the experience to end, collectively rehashing the event, some rushing home to buy his albums online, others holding impromptu jam sessions with their forgotten Gibson guitars. One woman who had the fortune of having her arm signed by McCartney speedily found an open tattoo parlor, and now holds Paul’s autograph close to her heart at all times. In our little group, I half expect the patriarch to grow a shag and follow the band around Europe.
If, at the age of 69, this was Paul’s last tour stop on American soil, his legend can only grow from such a dazzling display. In a media world that preaches objectivity and balance, we must buck tradition this one occasion. If you have tasted the finest champagne that ever was, there is no need to ever again sip a wine cooler. If you have played chess with Bobby Fischer, no game of checkers will ever suffice. And if you were there, on a pleasant August night in Cincinnati, where Paul McCartney re-wrote history, never again should another concert be attended.
Maybe we are being too poetic. Then again … Maybe we’re amazed.
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Reader Comments (28)
Wonderful story, wish I could have attended.
Unreal concert ! I have not stopped talking about it. Thanks for the coverage.
I was there and it rocked! Lovely story with cool photos.
Unbelievable performance. I drove over from Indy and was blown away. My friends that couldn't make it are now tired of my play-by-play.
Let It Be
Wow, I hope he doesn't wait another 18 years to play Cincinnati.. Jonathan is correct, I'm now spoiled regarding other acts. This show will be impossible to top, such a positive energy.
My husband and I saw Paul twice this time around at Yankee St. in the Bronx. He was everything that you described and more. We have seen him over the years, whenever he has been in the New York area, and I have been lucky enough to see the Beatles 3 times, twice at Shea. You are so right, once you see Paul, all other concerts just fall short. We can't wait to see him again.
Saw Sir Paul in Dallas at Jerry's World two summers ago. Was my 4th time seeing him since 1988. He only get's better with age! His current lineup is a tight knit group that enhance, not detract, the music. I am a concert goer with some 500 attended and I can honestly say that none do it better than Paul. If you ever get the chance, GO! No matter what you pay, it is worth the price of admission!
Beautifully said. When I saw him in NY at Yankee Stadium, we all felt the same way. His star is more luminous than any other and its deserved.
Wow what a story, got me misty eyed guys! I've seen Sir Paul twice in NY but this story put me in Cincinnati, and in a great seat. Digging this Jonathan Allen, keep it up man!
Loving the story here in the UK. I've never been to America but was lucky enough to attend Paul's concert here, with my mother before she passed. It was a shared experience with a wonderful women. She would have loved this story, thanks. We love you Cincinnati, maybe a visit someday. Peace.
We saw Sir Paul at Wrigley Field in Chicago on a very hot ,humid night and we were amazed at his energy. Everyone attending was in a super upbeat mood and we can't stop talking about this most wonderful night that will always be remembered. There is nothing that can beat singing Hey Jude with Paul McCartney!
I saw Paul at Wrigley Field ( had great seats, 18th row) July 31st. Every song was an emotional experience for me. I am 59 now, and each song took me right back in time, such as sitting in my parents living room with all of my brothers and sisters in February of 1964. The power of music! I felt that Paul was performing in my home, that is how natural the guy is. Quite a spiritual evening. God bless him ! Not many people can evoke such a response doing anything !
very well written! i've seen him 3 times.
Congratulations on one of the best - if not the best - articles I have ever read about a Paul concert - I will share it with my friends all over the world. I have been to 19 of his concerts in my 60 years: the man is unbelievable!
Regards from an amazingly beautiful morning in Rio de Janeiro.
I just stumbled into the American Project via beatlesnews.com. Love the publication and the well deserved story on McCartney in Cincinnati .
I've seen Paul in concert twice but missed him this tour. Your words brought the concert to me.
Great recounting of the show. I took my 21 year old daughter who is a huge fan and my 23 year old daughter who could take it or leave it to the first night at Yankee Stadium. Hands down it was the best concert any of us have ever attended (and I am a huge Springsteen show-goer...) From the pre-concert audio track, which was great to the very end, I can't see topping...we all three sang from the top of our lungs from the opening notes for 2+ hours (as well as everyone else around us) - my family has the Beatles covered with my oldest sister having been at Shea in '65, my older brother saw George and Ringo at the Bangladesh concert in '71, and I took my youngest daughter when she was 15 to see McCartney and Ringo both in 2005...memories I will always cherish as a father, and my oldest daughter is now a believer....Paul is the true definition of a living legend
Terrific story about my lifelong favorite.
i was there! Thanks for the beautiful story I've emailed it to my husband currently serving his Uncle Sam.
I saw Sir Paul twice in Brazil, in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It was reallyu amazing, and I hope he comes back!!! The two shows were really fantastic, he has many brazilian fans who are waiting for him!!! I was very touched!!!!