The legendary Paul McCartney delighted his fans by performing a surprise concert in New York City on Tuesday night.
During the show, he took the opportunity to pay tribute to his late former Beatles band-mate John Lennon, who towards the end of his short life lived and died in NYC.
McCartney’s Surprise Concert
McCartney, 82, announced the show earlier in the day on Tuesday. It sold out in just thirty minutes, with 575 fans getting the unforgettable experience of seeing McCartney perform at the Bowery Ballroom. Can you imagine? (Sorry, had to do it.)
“So, here we are. Some little gig. New York. Why not?” McCartney told the audience as he took the stage.
McCartney was joined by guitarist Rusty Anderson, guitarist and bassist Brian Ray, keyboardist Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. Their first song was the 1964 Beatles hit “A Hard Day’s Night.”
McCartney Honors Lennon
Later in the show, McCartney honored Lennon, who was tragically murdered outside his home in New York City in 1980. He was only 40 years-old at the time, and as many of our readers know, it was a massive shock around the entire planet.
McCartney performed the Beatles’ final song, the 2023 hit “Now And Then.” Lennon had written the song in the 1970s, but it was just finished two years ago with the help of AI.
“Let’s hear it for John,” McCartney told the crowd.
While there isn’t footage out of McCartney performing “Now And Then” last night, you can see him sing the song last year in the video below.
Related: Paul McCartney Opens Up About ‘Deep Grief’ Over Murder Of John Lennon – ‘It Was So Difficult’
McCartney Shocks His Fans With Concert
McCartney announced the surprise concert just before noon on Tuesday.
“PAUL McCARTNEY ROCKS THE BOWERY. Tuesday, February 11th,” the announcement read. “Bowery Ballroom, New York. 5:00pm Doors 6:30pm Showtime.”
“First come, first served,” it continued. “One ticket per person. Avoid purchasing tickets from third-party vendors. Fake tickets will not be honored and entry will be denied.”
This sent fans racing to the Bowery Ballroom in the hopes of getting tickets. However, the post was updated within thirty minutes saying that the show had sold out.
Related: Paul McCartney Addresses Alleged Feud With John Lennon, Who Visits His Dreams
‘Paul McCartney Is Back’
Those who didn’t get tickets still hung around outside the Bowery Ballroom in the hopes of catching sight of McCartney. Sure enough, McCartney eventually arrived at the venue in a black SUV hours after he announced the show. He waved to his adoring fans as he made his way inside.
“PAUL MCCARTNEY IS BACK IN NEW YORK CITY BABY,” one fan gushed on social media. Another added, “I THINK PAUL MCCARTNEY JUST WAVED AT ME.”
“OH MY GOD I JUST SAW PAUL MCCARTNEY NOT GOING TO THE SHOW BUT I SAW HIM,” a third social media user wrote.
Think they were a little bit excited with all those caps?
McCartney Fans Get Desperate
In the lead-up to showtime, fans took to social media to express their desperation to see McCartney perform.
“Is anyone selling tickets to see Paul McCartney tonight at the Bowery?” one eager fan commented. “Willing to pay much more than face value. I just flew home for this.”
“I would do unspeakable things to be able to see Paul McCartney at the Bowery Ballroom tonight,” another fan stated.
McCartney is one of three surviving Beatles, with the other being drummer Ringo Starr, 84, and the band’s original drummer before Starr, Pete Best, 83. Lennon was killed in 1980, and George Harrison passed away in 2001 at the age of 58 after a battle with cancer.
It’s clear that McCartney still loves performing just as much as he ever did. Here’s hoping he keeps rocking on for many years to come!
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