Paul McCartney lights up David Letterman show
What a midsummer night's delight: Paul McCartney reminiscing and performing Wednesday night on the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS.
It made for one of the finest evenings of late-night TV that I have seen in years. McCartney was charming and funny as he talked about the Beatles' first American appearance on the same stage of the Ed Sullivan Theater 45 years ago, the group's first American tour and memories of Michael Jackson.
But it was the performance of two songs, the Beatles classic "Get Back" and a new one, "Sing the Changes," off his latest CD, Electric Arguments, that really made this feel like one of the most special nights in the history of Letterman's CBS run.
McCartney and his group played outdoors standing atop the theater's marquee to a large and enthusiastic crowd on Broadway.
Letterman asked McCartney at the start of the interview if being inside the theater brought back memories of that first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
McCartney said he was standing there behind the curtain waiting to begin when the floor manager came over to him.
"He said, 'You nervous?' And I said, 'No.' He said, 'You should be, there's 73 million people watching.' "
Letterman offered his take on the early Beatles as "four guys on a very, very long spring break, just like the best time four guys could ever have." and McCartney said, "Well, it certainly seemed like that, you know, yeah."
And he described a trip to Miami during that first tour: "You say spring break, we went down to Miami. The British car firm loaned us an MG each, and, you know, there was a beach and sand and girls, and come on!”
McCartney also talked about working with Jackson, and he retold the oft-quoted story about how he thought Jackson was kidding when he said he was going to buy the rights to the Lennon-McCartney catalog.
On working together, McCartney said, "It was great, you know, we had a great time. It was Christmas, and I was at home and my phone rang and, you know, a little voice talked to me and I said, 'Who’s this?' You know, kind of guarding my privacy, private number. I said, 'Who’s this?' 'It’s Michael.' 'Michael who?' because I thought it was, you know, a little bit sort of dodgy, but anyway, he said 'Michael Jackson' and he said, 'You want to make some hits?' So I said, 'Yeah, sure,' so, you know, being of the hit-making variety."
McCartney continued: "We made a couple of records together, did a video and were very good friends. It actually kind of fell apart a little bit later because he was talking to me and asking my business advice, and one of the things I said to him was, 'Think about getting into music publishing.' And he looked at me, and I thought he was joking, he said, 'I'm going to get yours.'
McCartney said he hoped to get a better deal for the music with Jackson, but that didn't happen.
"What happened, actually, is then I started to ring him up, 'cause I thought, 'OK, here's the guy historically placed to give Lennon-McCartney a good deal at last,' because we’d got signed when we were 21 or something in a back alley in Liverpool and the deal had remained the same even though we made this company the most famous -- hugely successful.
"So I kept thinking it was time for a raise, you know. Well, you would, you know? And I did talk to him about it, but he kind of blanked me on it. He kept saying, 'That's just business, Paul, you know.' So I went, 'Yeah, it is,' and waited for a reply. But we never kind of got to it, and I thought, 'Mmmmm,' so we kind of drifted apart. It was no big bust-up. We kind of drifted apart after that. But he was a lovely man, massively talented, and we miss him."
McCartney performed an additional set of songs after the show for the crowd outside the theater. It included: "Coming Up," "Band on the Run," "Let Me Roll It," "Helter Skelter" and "Back in the USSR." To see the mini-concert, go to the Late Show Web site.
Photo of Paul McCartney: AP
Comments
Just trying to keep up with you Paul! Thank you so much for keeping it alive! We love you man.
Posted by: Rodney | July 16, 2009 4:29 AM
He's been well rewarded for his talent with incredible fame and fortune, but by most accounts Paul McCartney's still as nice a guy as he can be. You can't help but like a guy like that.
Posted by: brstevens | July 16, 2009 5:48 AM
I got to see Paul in Omaha a few years ago, and being a fan since I was 8, it was a big thrill! I dvr'd the show and watched him this morning. Very nice. Does he color his hair? He should be gray and in Omaha, there was some, but be that as it may, it was good to see him, great gig on the marquis and happily, David didn't go wacko-stupid political.
Posted by: susie | July 16, 2009 7:14 AM
I stayed up for the Letterman show last night and was not disappointed. Paul McCartney was indeed terrific.
Posted by: Mary | July 16, 2009 7:58 AM
I stayed up last night for the Letterman show and was not disappointed. Paul McCartney was indeed terrific.
Posted by: Mary | July 16, 2009 8:00 AM
I was SO excited to see Paul on Late Night with David Letterman. I will gladly work through bleary eyes today for having the pleasure of watching him last night. Paul is a talented legend with a quick wit and remarkable talent. I can hardly wait to see him in Atlanta on August 15th!! Love you Macca!!
Posted by: Tina | July 16, 2009 8:49 AM
He is fantastic!I am going to Tulsa,from Omaha,to see him next month,I can hardly wait!Been in love with this guy since 1964.
Posted by: sharon | July 16, 2009 9:05 AM
Its good to see Paul hasnt lost a step
http://c-trainsentertainmentreviews.blogspot.com/
Posted by: cj | July 16, 2009 9:31 AM
I have loved Paul since I was 14. I'm disappointed his tour is not coming to Philadelphia. Last night on Letterman he was just like he always is.....charming and talented. Thank you Paul
Posted by: cathi downs | July 16, 2009 10:31 AM
Absolutely amazing. Paul still can roll it to me! Am so anxious to see him on August 1. The epidemy of rock and roll...
Posted by: Andrea | July 16, 2009 11:05 AM
I saw the video. it was great. It's too bad John and George aren't with us anymore.
Posted by: Chris R | July 16, 2009 12:03 PM
This article made me smile! I am not a really big Paul fan, Z, but my idea is that you might be? I liked the video, I could get used to that.
I hope I am not posting this twice, I got an overload message on the first try.
Why is this not remembering my personal info. I have to add it every time.
Have a nice day.
Hi Sherry, Thanks for making the extra effort to get through. I appreciate it. I will ask the people here who know about the blog software not remembering your information. Thanks again, and sorry for the trouble. Z
Posted by: Sherry T. | July 16, 2009 1:44 PM
Hi David Letterman YOUR GREAT! HELLO Sir Paul,My Favorite all time BEATLE...posters in the 70's and all... it is late here in HALIFAX for us to stay up to watch The D. L., but love the show & could not miss you Paul on it!
A FANTASTIC IDEA LAST NIGHT OUT ON THE MARQUEE and GREAT MUSIC! Although your voice is getting in need of a rest before the Big Concerts there but WE HAD THE BEST OF IT & of YOU here in , HALIFAX NS Thanks So Much!
Eleanor A Ryan
Posted by: Eleanor Ryan | July 16, 2009 1:49 PM
I turned it on not expecting so see such a great performance from a legend. I thought, how can Conan top this? Another Letterman classic.
Posted by: Michelle | July 16, 2009 2:14 PM
I'm a huge fan and will be at FedEx on August 1, but Sir Paul's memory must indeed be almost full. How could he recall playing "Yesterday" on the Sullivan debut in February 1964 when the song wasn't even recorded until 1965? The songs performed on that historic first Sullivan show were All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There and I Want to Hold Your Hand.
Posted by: Randy | July 16, 2009 3:03 PM
All too often, a legendary performer very late in his career embarasses himself and disappoints his legions. Ah, but not so for Sir Paul.
What an absolute delight he was last evening: Reflective, savvy, gracious and ever so entertaining.
I was in high school when the Beatle Mania began. I was never a huge fan of the Beatles. That is, until last evening.
Paul brought home the best evening in televison (not just late night) that I have seen in years! Indeed, "Yesterday" was quite the day.
I couldn't agree more with your analysis. I, too, feared he would be hobbled by age. But he was terrific. Thanks. Z
Posted by: riverofnoretrun | July 16, 2009 4:31 PM
Hi Z, the problem with my personal info might be my fault, I guess according to the specialist in computers I am probably deleting my cookies and that I will have to fix on my side.
My favorite is "Let is Roll", the best of the songs he sang for me. He sure drew a crowd, and I was thinking that if I was in the crowd and had skipped work the camera would be sure to beam right in on my face. I would lose my job. We are going to a concert this coming Sunday, Phil Keaggy who has a style of music similar to Paul, bet you have never heard of him.
Have a great night. These things are always on David Letterman etc. when I work.
Posted by: Sherry T. | July 16, 2009 6:29 PM
Loved seeing Sir Paul perform again--I saw the Beatles in concert in Minneapolis, Aug. 21, 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium. What great memories I have from that event. Forever a Beatles fan!!!!!!
Posted by: Mary -San Diego,Calif. | July 16, 2009 9:09 PM
I missed it, I missed it, I really missed it. I love ol' Paul. What a class act...talk about genius....and icons.
Posted by: Laura | July 16, 2009 9:29 PM
I missed it, I missed it, I really missed it. I love ol' Paul. What a class act...talk about genius....and icons.
Posted by: Laura | July 16, 2009 9:29 PM
You look very cute in the pink color.
Posted by: wedding | July 17, 2009 12:34 AM
Thank you Dave ~ Thank you Paul!
Posted by: Judy | July 17, 2009 11:51 AM
I missed this, but watched the CBS video. He was amazing. I was six rows back in FedEx Field a few nights ago. He sang nonstop for 3 hours and was as great as ever. I will never in my life forget the experience of this concert. Thank you, Paul. You are the best!!!!!
Posted by: Eyve Barnes | August 5, 2009 1:30 PM