Anyone who has ever talked music with me knows I’m not a Beatles fan. As iconic, famous, and important as the Beatles were, to me they were the first pop music boy band and that’s just not my thing. Instead, I’m more of a Rolling Stones girl because their sound is rooted in the blues which is my favorite since the genre was responsible for making rock and roll happen.
All of that being said, the Beatles – and more specifically Paul McCartney – are my Mom’s favorite so when we heard he was bringing his Got Back tour to Denver I had a feeling we were going. When she reminded me that, somehow, she had never seen McCartney or the Beatles I KNEW we were going. Of course we were going. She is the biggest music fan I know and has seen everyone (including Elvis!) but had never seen her favorite act or solo performer. How was that even possible?
So we bought tickets in July and made the trek to Coors Field this weekend where 50,000 people gathered on a beautiful fall evening to watch an icon – who is 83 years old – do what he’s done best over the last 60 years. For two and a half hours, he sang, played six different instruments (bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, mandolin, and ukulele), and told stories in front of an adoring crowd. While some legacy acts get on stage and go through the motions (or don’t have the vocals anymore), Paul McCartney commanded Coors Field with grace, authenticity, and a genuine vibe that made it clear he was happy to be there. A true storyteller and showman, he thanked the audience multiple times, cracked jokes, and paid tribute to his fallen former bandmates.
He also told stories that made our jaws drop in real time – like when he met Jimi Hendrix and his band at a small club after hours in London. He remembers seeing Hendrix plug his guitar in and could not believe what he was hearing. I could not believe what I was hearing either! Can you imagine being there for that monumental music moment? Or how about being in Jacksonville, Florida when the Beatles refused to play to a segregated audience. McCartney said until that night they had never experienced segregation because it was not happening in England and could not believe there was going to be a black section and a white section. Because the venue promoter didn’t want to lose money on the show, he allowed the audience to integrate and, from then on, the Beatles put in their contract that they would never perform in front of a segregated crowd. I’m getting goosebumps as I write this. McCartney also told stories about his childhood growing up in Liverpool with John Lennon, how the ukulele he played at the show was a gift from George, and mentioned playing with Ringo.
Some of my favorite songs we heard (he played 35 total) were “Maybe I’m Amazed,” “Helter Skelter,” “Let It Be,” and “Hey Jude.” They all hit home. Seeing the person who wrote or co-wrote those songs and made them famous worldwide emphasized why McCartney is a rock and roll legend. We will definitely tell Fleet about this show when he gets older because I will never forget that night and am so glad I got to be part of it. In fact, that feeling was palpable as everyone in the crowd was laid back, nice, and just happy to be there. Attending stadium shows is a journey – especially when driving there and back from the mountains – because you never know what you’re going to get in terms of traffic, the venue setup, and fellow concertgoers. This experience was also a reminder that 50,000 strangers can enjoy a concert, have fun, and sing along. Consider me amazed.
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