I went to my first concert the Summer I turned eight - 1964. I remember it like it was this morning. Some older kids from my church group took me with them to the Reno Coliseum to see the Beach Boys. The first of many, MANY times I would see my favorite group, thanks to growing-up in the concert-rich environment of Southern California.
But somehow, impossibly, it now occurs to me, with all those years and all those venues in L.A. I NEVER managed to see The Beatles. All their concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium. I was probably at the beach when the lads from Liverpool rocked into town.
And so it was a few years back, shortly after George died, that I VOWED I would see Paul McCartney before one of us died. It literally became a 'bucket list' item for me.
Last night, I finally got to cross that off my list with one of the most INCREDIBLE evenings of entertainment I have ever been fortunate enough to experience.
Sir Paul came out to a packed-to-the-rafters crowd at Energy Solutions Arena - home of the Utah Jazz. Now mind you, I have been to many, MANY concerts featuring all kinds of music in all kinds of venues both intimate and cavernous for 50 years now since 1964. And I have NEVER felt a buzz of anticipation and awe as we felt in the run-up to the show.
When the lights finally went down, the place ERUPTED into a standing ovation. Before a single word had been spoken or a chord struck.
Why?
It was obvious to the SRO crowd spanning FOUR generations (I confirmed this for myself looking around the crowd in awe all evening) that we were in the presence of greatness - no matter how you measure it.
A transcendent moment.
I told my Father today on the phone I seriously can't imagine being any more moved if I had been in a parlor listening to Beethoven play a concerto, or in the Sistine Chapel watching Michelangelo paint his masterpiece. Am I giving in to hyperbole here? I don't think so.
At 71, Sir Paul still has that boundless energy, boyish charm and playfulness that millions of people around the world were captivated by the first time they heard 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' or 'She Loves You' on the radio or watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.
He and his band played non-stop for almost three full hours and had people dancing, rocking, laughing, singing along and even getting a little wistful and teary-eyed at times remembering another time, another place or perhaps another person.
He obviously takes his job as one of the two remaining Beatles - the one who is still out there on the road 'Letting It Be' every year all around the world - seriously. He spoke lovingly and reverently about John and George and sang tributes to each of them. He was a masterful, consummate entertainer, engaging and rewarding the crowd after every song with comments, gestures, nuances, stories and even some cogent life lessons and advice.
He took his pitcher and emptied it onto the crowd, pouring out every last ounce of energy and love he had to give. And we drank it up and tried to pour it back to him with our applause...screams....whistles and yes...even tears.
For me, it was a night 58 years in the making. And was it worth ALL that waiting?
Yeah....yeah....YEAH !!!!
