McCartney Gets Back To D.C.

By Laura Woodhead-Talk Radio News Service

Sir Paul McCartney returned to Washington, D.C. Saturday night, the site of The Beatles' first U.S. performance 45 years earlier. At the 1964 concert "You couldn't hear yourself 'cause of all the girls screaming" McCartney told the audience at the FedEx Field, who responded with their own high pitched squeals. "Is that someone who was there?" McCartney quipped. The former Beatle, who is rumored to be embarking on his final farewell world tour next year, played a 2 hour set, followed by a 30 minute encore, filled with crowd pleasing Beatles and Wings hits as well as old and new solo material.

From the upbeat opening of "Drive My Car" and the pyrotechnic spectacular of "Live and Let Die" to the somber "Blackbird" and uplifting "Let It Be", the 67 year old's epic 34 song set showed why he has earned legendary status. With the voice and body virtually unchanged since The Beatles initially invaded the U.S., McCartney energetically maneuvered himself over the stage. Throughout the evening, McCartney went from his trademark bass, to guitar for his own version of Hendrix's "Foxy Lady," to piano and even a Ukulele. Having lost none of his boyish charm, the Beatle had the audience grinning throughout his set, despite the fact that the show was delayed for over an hour due to the high volume of traffic entering FedEx Field.

McCartney dedicated songs to his deceased wife Linda as well as band-mate John Lennon. In one of the more emotional moments of the show, McCartney delivered a moving version of "Something" on a ukulele given to McCartney by the quiet Beatle, George Harrison.

Sir Paul added a special dedication to his D.C. set: The Beatles' hit "Michelle."

"Barack might want to sing this to someone in his house," McCartney joked as he introduced the love song.