Video from http://www.paulmccartney.com "Up and Coming Tour"
I may have to break my long time rule of not going to concerts at large venues ever again. It was announced yesterday, June 3, 2010, that the entertainer who would perform for the opening of the new Consol Energy Center, which is the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Team, will be non other than Sir Paul McCartney! The show will be on August 18, 2010. McCartney is 67 years young and going stronger than ever, displayed at his grand concert in New York City performed over three nights as the inaugural concert at New York City's Citi Field, 17, 18 and 21 July 2009.
Paul McCartney was last in Pittsburgh Feb. 4 and 5, 1990, at what was then the Civic Arena. He had appeared with The Beatles at the same venue on Sept. 14, 1964. Needless to say, seeing one of the Beatles perform live is not something that occurs many times in a lifetime. As a Baby Boomer who was about 10 when The Beatles took the US by storm in the early sixties and then inspired by their music to become a rock musician at 17, in 1969, the year of Woodstock and release of “Abby Road” and the beginning of the end of the greatest rock band ever, I think I need to find a way to get to this performance.
McCartney’s performances in New York City this year illustrated how he is as good as ever. He played many of The Beatles, Wings, and solo works that were as good as they get. The older I get, after over 40 years of playing as a professional musician, the more I appreciate and realize how amazing the songs written by the Fab Four were, as they endure and stand the test of time. We see the newest artists redo their classics again and again and every new generation finds the Beatles music fascinating. Over and over, I hear stories of young kids playing classic Beatles songs and becoming avid fans.
There is no doubt that The Beatles changed the world and have continued to do so for over 50 years. The idea that one of the most successful musicians of our times is coming to perform in the newest entertainment venue in Pittsburgh, this year, decrees to be a part of this in my lifetime. Now the problem is, will I even be able to get a ticket?
Be sure to check out a website that I just came across with the most Beatles information, rare early music, out takes, interviews and rare background detail on each recording. Check it out at The Beatles Rarity
* Interesting side note - (Article from the Trib Live: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/music/s_684270.html)
"Pittsburgh connection
When Paul McCartney performs Aug. 18 at the Consol Energy Center, Carl Grefenstette hopes to be there for two reasons:
1. The owner of Pittsburgh Guitars in the South Side is a diehard Beatles fans.
2. The ex-Beatle will be playing a guitar Grefenstette once owned.
"It's a 1960 Les Paul, left-handed guitar, and it came from here," he says.
Grefenstette sold the guitar to Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick 25 years ago. The late Linda McCartney bought if from Nielsen a few years later for her husband.
Now, Grefenstette wants to hear it played again.
"I'm hoping I can get a ticket," he says."
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