Back in the US, Driving Mexico and Japan 2002

THE 2002-2003 TOUR INFO PAGE - FIND OUT WHERE THE SONGS AND VIDEO WERE RECORDED!!!

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`©` 2002 COPYRIGHT JORIE GRACEN

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TOURNEWS!REVIEWS!TOURNEWS!REVIEWS!

For reviews of the the "Driving USA" tour (first US leg) click here

2002 OFFICIAL TOUR ITINERARY

click on cities below to go to reviews

1) September 21 - Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center

2) September 23 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center At River Center

3) September 24 - Chicago, IL - United Center

4) September 27 - Hartford, CT - Civic Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum

5) September 28 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall

6) September 30 - Boston, MA - Fleet Center

7) October 1 - Boston, MA - Fleet Center

8) October 4 - Cleveland, OH - Gund Arena

9) October 5 - Indianapolis, IN - Conseco Fieldhouse

10) October 7 - Raleigh, NC - Entertainment & Sports Arena

11) October 9 - St. Louis, MO - Savvis Center

12) October 10 - Columbus, OH - Value City Arena/Jerome Schottenstein

13) October 12 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena

14) October 13 - Houston, TX - Compaq Center

15) October 15 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center

16) October 18 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden Arena

17) October 19 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome

18) October 21 - Sacramento, CA - Arco Arena

19) October 22 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion/Compaq Arena

20) October 25 - Anaheim, CA - The Arrowhead Pond

21) October 26 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Garden Grand Arena

22) October 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center

23) October 29 - Phoenix, AZ - America West Arena

Driving Mexico

1) November 2 - Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes

2) November 3 - Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes

3) November 5 - Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes

Driving Japan

1) November 11- Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

2) November 13- Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

3) November 14- Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

4) November 17 - Osaka - Osaka Dome

5) November 18 - Osaka - Osaka Dome

George Harrison Tribute Concert

November 29 - London - Royal Abert Hall

THE 2002 WORLD TOUR

"Back In the USA" concert reviews!

Set list for US only

The Fireman - Untitled Remix (OPENING with circus performers before Paul appears onstage)

(Hofner bass)
Hello Goodbye
Jet
All My Loving
(switches to lead guitar)
Getting Better
(switches to Hofner bass)
Coming Up
(switches to electric guitar)
Let Me Roll It
(switches to Hofner bass)
Lonely Road
Driving Rain
(introduces drummer, Abe Laboriel and moves to grand piano)
Your Loving Flame

(begins acoustic guitar solo set)
Blackbird
Every Night
We Can Work It Out

(switches psychedelic upright piano)
You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight (Paul unaccompanied)
            The Fool On the Hill (with Magical Mystery Tour footage on screen)
(switches to acoustic guitar)
Here Today (John Lennon Tribute)
(switches to ukulele)
       Something (George Harrison tribute)
(switches to acoustic guitar)
Eleanor Rigby (with band)
Midnight Special (Houston Concert only)
                        Michelle(Wix on Accordion - full band)
          Here There and Everywhere (Wix on Accordion - full band)

(switches to Hofner bass)
Band On The Run
Back In The USSR
(introduces Rusty Anderson-switches to grand piano)
Maybe I'm Amazed
Let 'Em In
My Love
(switches to Hofner bass, band at front harmonizing)
She's Leaving Home
Can't Buy Me Love
(switches to acoustic guitar)
Freedom (omitted in Mexico and Japan)
(introduces Brian Ray-switches to grand piano)
Live and Let Die
Let It Be
(psychedelic upright piano)
Hey Jude

(Encore)
(psychedelic upright piano)
Long And Winding Road
Lady Madonna
(switches to Hofner bass)
I Saw Her Standing There

(Encore)
(acoustic guitar)
Yesterday
(switches to Les Paul guitar)
Sgt. Peppers Reprise/The End

"Back In The U.S." DVD features highlights from the first leg of the US tour with backstage access.

"Back In The U.S. Live" Double CD that features a 36-song set list of new live recordings from the all-hits show that has rocked America.

FOR THOSE IN THE UK: "Back in the World Live 2002" Double CD Click here.
Click here for the "Back in the U.S." DVD (UK format)

FOR THOSE IN THE US: "Back in the World Live 2002" Double CD (Import) click here.
Features: "She's Leaving Home," "Calico Skies," "Michelle," "Let 'Em In," and a different "Hey Jude" than the "Back in the U.S. Live 2002" CD.

Macca Tour Reporters

Thanks to Macca Tour Reporters : Sue Ullenberg, Jim Pietryga, Laura Dever, Robin Eastburn, Dr. Larry Davis, Sandy Lopez , Debbie Stifter, David Cederstrom, Julie Pierce, Nancy Kotarski, Justin Steffman, Kathie Calvert, Miguel Carrera, Cori Matyas, Don Krueger, Dennis Adkins, Shelley Caniff, Susan Ponder, Francis Gardler, Pat Deese, Jeff Drake, George Smith, Janet Hamilton, Brian Johnson, Doug Brown, Cris Noll, Nancy Scharfe, Vince Barber, Stephanie Woehrmann, Ron Lavallee, Ed Beebout. Linda Matyja, Mashiro Sendai, Barry Orton Mark Pawloski, Tom Rector, Fredy Schiraldi, Toni Johnson, Marilyn Penix, Sergio Flores, David Ochoa, George Tebbens, Michael Whan, Roy Matthews.

THE "O4 SUMMER TOUR" PAGE CLICK HERE

2002 TOURNEWSREVIEWSTOURNEWSREVIEWS

November 29 - London - Royal Abert Hall

At the George Harrison Tribute concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, Eric Clapton had the crowd on its feet to a standing ovation with the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, Ringo Starr!". Harrison's former fellow Beatle ran on stage to tumultuous applause. He saluted the crowd and said, "What a night. I loved George and George loved me." He then sang "Photograph," which he co-wrote with Harrison, as Clapton, Jeff Lynne and Dhani played guitar. After a rendition of one of Harrison's favorite songs, "Honey Don't," many of the crowd were dancing along. Starr then grabbed the mike and again brought the audience to its feet with the words, "It gives me great pleasure to introduce another friend of George's, Paul McCartney!"

Paul sang "For You Blue." The song was followed by "Something" which Paul started off on ukulele then switched to guitar where he was joined on guitar by Dhani and Clapton, with Starr on drums. Eric Clapton sang a verse and the song morphed into the Beatles version. Paul joined Clapton on vocals. After another standing ovation Sir Paul then played piano and Clapton sang to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," before ending with a two-minute guitar solo. Paul sang "All Things Must Pass." McCartney, glanced at Dhani and said "It looks like George stayed younger and we all got older."

Dhani on guitar started off "My Sweet Lord", sang by Sam Brown, with fans clapping and dancing along. Paul told the crowd, "Olivia just said with Dhani on stage it looks like we all got old and George stayed young." Dhani told the audience, "I just want from the bottom of my heart to thank all the musicians, you are my dad's best friends, he loves you. God bless you all.

The show

The show started with Ravi's daughter, Anoushka, and her combined eastern and western orchestra.

"Opening Sloka" recently composed by Ravi for the event, masterfully conducted by Ravi's daughter, Anoushka Shankar
"Ganesh Vandana" Anoushka Shankar and her orchestra
"Anoushka solo with tabla" with orchestra.
"Inner Light " Jeff Lynne and Anoushka Shankar and her orchestra
"Arpan" (Clapton played guitar while sitting)

After a 30-minute intermission four members of Monty Python: Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, (no John Cleese) plus Neil Innes (Rutles).

"Sit on My Face"
"Lumberjack Song"

By accident Eric Clapton (the MC) referred to Dhani as George's wife - a running joke throughout the night.

set list:

I Want To Tell You - Jeff Lynne/Clapton and band
If I Needed Someone - Eric Clapton/Jeff Lynne and band
Old Brown Shoe - Gary Brooker/Eric Clapton and band
Give Me Love - Jeff Lynne and band
Beware of Darkness - Eric Clapton and band
Here Comes The Sun - Joe Brown
That's the Way it Goes - Joe Brown
Horse to the Water - Sam Brown vocals/Jools Holland piano/Tom Scott featured on horn
Taxman - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I Need You - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Handle With Care - Tom Petty/Jeff Lynne/Dhani
Isn't It A Pity - Eric Clapton/Billy Preston on gospel piano solo
Photograph - Ringo (Ringo said about the song," Of course, the meaning's changed now.")
Honey Don't - Ringo
For You Blue - Paul McCartney on acoustic guitar/Ringo on drums/Marc Mann on slide guitar
Something - Paul on ukulele switching to acoustic guitar/ Dhani on guitar/Ringo on drums/Clapton guitar and vocals
All Things Must Pass - Paul acoustic guitar /Jeff Lynne/Clapton/Dhani
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Clapton, vocals and guitar/Paul on piano/Ringo on drums
My Sweet Lord - Billy Preston/Sam Brown vocals/Paul on piano
Wah Wah - Jeff Lynne/EricClapton and entire ensemble
I'll See You in My Dreams (1951 song from a Doris Day movie a fav of Georges) Joe Brown singing & on ukulele, full band with Paul on piano

Flower petals fell from the ceiling at the end of the show.

The performers were: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Gary Brooker on keyboards, Ron Blair, Sam Brown, Dave Bronze, Mike Campbell, Jim and Phil Capaldi, Steve Ferrone, Neil R. Gauntlett, Katie Kaissoon, Tessa Niles, Dave 'Rico' Nilo, Emil Richards, Henry Spinetti, Chris Stainton, Benmont Tench, Scott Thurston, Andy Fairweather Low, Billy Preston, Joe Brown, Jim Keltner on drums, Albert Lee on guitar, Klaus Voorman on bass, Ray Cooper on percussion, Dhani Harrison on acoustic and Marc Mann replicating Harrison slide solo's and Tom Scott, and Jim Horn, Billy Connolly.

Celebs in the audience: Lulu, Annie Lennox, Elvis Costello, Bill Wyman, Sir George Martin, Barbara Bach, Zak Starkey, Mike McCartney, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Stevie Winwood, Paul 'Wix' Wickens, Tim Burton, May Pang, Jackie Stewart

Paul and Ringo kissed and hugged before they left the stage.

Sign in the audience, "My Sweet George."

The concert was videotaped.

After the show there was a party for celebrities. Ringo and Barbara Bach were there as well as Dhani and Olivia. Paul turned up toward the end of the party with Heather. Clapton did not attend the party.

November 18 - Osaka - Osaka Dome

Paul left the hotel on his way to the Osaka Dome but kept his window closed as he passed the waiting fans. One fan (Tomoaki Shiraki) ran after the car chasing it for three blocks. The limo finally stopped, Paul rolled down the window and signed for the fan.

Heard at the sound check: Jam, "Coming Up," "Matchbox," "Honey Don't," "Celebration," "C Moon," "Cabaret Song," unidentified song ("Welcome to the Secret?") mostly instrumental on piano with Paul singing the intro and the bridge of the song, "Midnight Special," and another jam.

Backstage the one-millionth ticket buyer of this tour, won a contest to meet Paul . The 26-year-old woman not only met Paul but she received a framed "Back in the US Live" CD, an autograph and a brand new Mitsubishi Colt!!!!

Since this was the last night of the 2002 world tour Paul sang his heart out. He wore a white jacket, a red long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. The audience was warm and enthusiastic and the show was much like the previous Osaka show.

People held up signs and large photos of John and George. Signs in the audience: "Your Songs Must Be Magic," "Thanks Paul. Brian, Rusty, Abe, Wix."

Paul faked the intro to "Hey Jude" by singing a good portion of "Baby Face," before he stopped himself.

For the first encore, band members were presented with "Happi" coats just like last night in Tokyo. Heather brought out Paul's "Happi" coat and they kissed onstage for several seconds. Then Paul called up four Japanese fans to join him for "I Saw Her Standing There." The fans all wearing Sgt. Pepper jackets, danced behind Paul.

For the final encore, the band put on black wigs that made them look like Sumo wrestlers. Paul introduced them as the "Sumo Band."

Paul and Heather left the following day for London.

November 17 - Osaka - Osaka Dome

Set List for both Osaka shows
Hello Goodbye
Jet
All My Loving
Getting Better
Coming Up
Let Me Roll It
Lonely Road
Driving Rain
Your Loving Flame
Blackbird
Every Night
We Can Work It Out
You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight
The Fool On the Hill
Here Today
Something
Eleanor Rigby
Here There and Everywhere
Calico Skies
Michelle
Band On The Run
Back In The USSR
Maybe I'm Amazed
Let 'Em In
My Love
She's leaving Home
Can't Buy Me Love
Live and Let Die
Let It Be
Hey Jude
Long And Winding Road
Lady Madonna
I Saw Her Standing There
Yesterday
Sgt. Peppers Reprise/The End

Paul and the band were staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Osaka. In the early afternoon the band signed for fans at the back entrance of the hotel. Everyone thought Paul would also come out and sign, but Paul instead went out the front entrance and frantic fans tried to run through the hotel lobby to the front but were stopped. Paul 's limo left the hotel at 2:30pm for the Osaka Dome. Two fans ran after the limo and got autographs.

When Paul got to the Osaka Dome about 40 fans were waiting for the limo. The car slowed down and Paul waved to the fans.

Songs heard at the sound check: "Honey Hush," "Lend Me Your Comb," "Let It Be," "Let's Love," Lonely Road," "Freedom," "Calico Skies," "Midnight Special," "Fool On The Hill," "Lady Madonna."

The first concert at the Osaka Dome was completely sold out with 50,000 in attendance. Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, a red long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. Instead of welcoming the crowd with "Konichiwa!" (hello) he welcomed the Osaka audience with "Maido!" ( which is the proper word for 'hello' in the Osaka dialect).

The show was basically the same as the Tokyo shows with the translations projected on the video screens.

Paul spoke the proper Osaka dialect saying, "Moukarimakka?" (a proper greeting in Osaka because of it's earning ability- it means "can you earn much?").

For "You Never Give Me Your Money," Paul did not sing his usual " I don't remember the words..." he sang new words instead but not the original words.

During "Here Today" fans held up signs and at the end of the song, Paul read them out loud: "John Is Alive," "John Is Here."

The highlight of the show was "Calico Skies" previous only performed at sound checks. It was played after "Here There and Everywhere" and before "Michelle." Paul played the acoustic and the whole band joined him onstage. Same set-up as on "Michelle" with the band adding harmonies.

Paul said Osaka felt like his hometown. Wix told the audience that they were like family.

Instead of his usual "Domo" (thank you) during the bridge of "Sgt. Peppers Reprise," he said "Ookini" (Osaka dialect for 'thank you').

After the show, flowers were presented onstage. Paul took them, and noticed a banana inside! Paul took the banana and pretended to be a gorrilla, dragging his knuckles and hopping around.

There was a private party after the show at the hotel that lasted until 2am!

November 14- Tokyo - Tokyo Dome (photos from all three Tokyo shows from Masahiro Sendai)

All three Tokyo shows were close to sellouts with nearly 50,000 people per night.

A "Blackbird Singing" poetry reading was going to be scheduled at Rikyo University on November 14, but Paul was not available.

When Paul left the Four Season's hotel on his way to the Tokyo Dome a fan ran up to the car when it stopped for a light. Paul rolled down the window and signed for two fans. A cameraman inside the limo with a video camera was taping the encounter. Paul arrived at the Tokyo Dome around 3:40pm where there were about 100 fans waiting. He rolled down the window to wave and a woman ran after the car and gave him a present. He started the sound check soon after he arrived. Songs heard at the sound check: An extended jam, "Honey Hush," "C Moon," "San Francisco Bay Blues," "Here, There And Everywhere," and "The New York Song" (from Parkinson).

The show started at 7:17pm to another sold out crowd. Paul wore a white jacket over a red long-sleeved T-shirt and black pants.

He asked the audience, "Mina genki kai?" (Everyone OK?)

Paul was in good voice but he managed to mess up the beginning of "Getting Better" starting off with his guitar turned off. (he did that in Chicago too!) He stopped the band and started over saying, "Hang on, hang on! It is essential to turn up the volume knob!"

Paul again was teasing the translators saying, "My dog does not eat bananas!" After a few songs he said, "My dog DOES eat bananas!" He used many Japanese phrases including; "Minna subarashii!" (You're a great audience), "Kore ha sutekina heza no uta desu," (This is the song for my beautiful Heather), "furansu ni ikouka?" (Are we going to France together?), "Moriagatte irukai?" (Are you enjoying the show?)

Paul said, "Oh Yeah!" (audience repeated) "OK!" (audience repeated) "Alright!" (audience repeated) "Marasamana-hera-wacherawerera!" Only one fan (Masahiro) got it right and Paul said to him, "Excellent!"

Macca made the heart sign above his head with his arms after "Your Loving Flame" and "My Love." He said, "This is for you babe," (off microphone) to Heather when he introduced "Your Loving Flame."

For "Hey Jude" he said, "Issho ni utaimashou"(Let's sing together). Then instead of saying "just the men" and "just the woman," in English, he said it in Japanese. "Otokodake!"(just the men) and "Onna dake!"(just the women)

A couple of highlights: Heather joined Paul onstage to present him with a "Happi" coat (robe) which is a traditional Japanese coat worn at festivals. Paul and Heather kissed after the presentation (the audience went crazy) and then Heather bowed and left the stage. Band members were given their own "Happi" coats by family members or crew.

Paul called up four audience members to dance onstage during "I Saw Her Standing There." One was a guy who had a large carboard cut-out of a Hofner and his female friend. Two others were brought up from a group of 13 in the front row wearing red shirts with one letter each that spelled out "P-A-U-L M-C-C-A-R-T-N-E-Y." During the guitar solo Paul pointed to the guy with the carboard bass gesturing to him to play it! At the song's end the guy came over to shake Paul's hand but the song hadn't finished so Paul had to pull his hand away to play the bass! Then the guy mistakenly walked offstage with Paul and Paul had to tell him to exit at the opposite end of the stage, not where he was going!

Macca waved his farewells after the "Sgt. Pepper Reprise" and said before he left the stage, "Jyaa, matane!" ("See ya next time!")

Paul and Heather returned to the hotel after the show, stopped in front of some fans but did not roll the window down. He and Heather will be staying in the town of Kyoto for the next two days and then they will stay in Osaka.

On November 12 Wix and his wife were seen shopping at Akihabara. Akihabara is famous for it's electronic equipment: video cameras, etc. A press conference was to be held at the hotel but Paul wanted to rest up for the concert instead. Heather was in the hotel lobby by herself signing autographs. Later Paul and Heather went sightseeing to Takao Mountain.

November 13- Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

Paul jogged around the area of the hotel this morning with jogging body guards.

Paul left the hotel around 3:34pm to go to the Tokyo Dome. He kept the windows closed when he left the hotel but rolled them down and waved when he saw fans at the Tokyo Dome. The pre-show started at 7:10 pm. Paul wore a long sleeved T-shirt that was red in the front and white in the back, a dark navy button-down Nehru shirt and blue jeans. His voice was showing signs of strain, missing some high notes and sounding off-key in spots, but as he loosened up his voice got better.

The fans were so enthusiastic they generated heat in the Tokyo Dome. Air-conditioners were turned on even though it was cold outdoors.

The Japanese translation that was projected like subtitles on the main screen was able to keep up with Paul's stage--banter unlike the first show. Paul still joked around saying silly things that made no sense to annoy the translators. He said that he wanted to prove to the audience that what he was saying was spur of the moment ("live"), and that the translators didn' t know what he was going to say. "I could say anything! The rabbit runs up the hill! The dog has eaten the banana! And MY HEAD IS COMING OFF!" He also said later in the show, "the dog slipped on the banana!" The audience applauded Paul's silliness!

At one point he talked real fast to see if the translators could keep up. He said, "Thank you very much. You're a great audience! Tonight it's fabulous and lovely to be here and see how the translators can handle THAT!"

At the beginning of the solo acoustic set he said, "This is the part where they leave me all alone with you. I hope you're happy about that because I am." The audience applauded appropriately because the subtitles in Japanese were able to keep up. At the first show they didn't so the audience did not respond.

For the intro to "Michelle," he said "Furansu ni, ikouka?" (Shall we go to France?) He repeated that a few times during the show.

He screwed up the lyrics to "Blackbird" singing "You all life. You were only waiting for..." Instead of "All your life. You were only waiting for..."

There were quite a few people holding signs. Paul said Tokyo Dome is too big to see people holding signs. Signs in the audience: "We're WINGSFAN," "My B.D. IS JUNE 18," "PAUL LOVE."

Rusty said that during American tour, they played small arenas and this was the first time they played such a big stadium.

Rusty took a "SHASHIN"(photo) of the audience.

Paul talked in Japanese as much as he could manage and referred to his 'cheat sheet' when he needed help with Japanese words. For the intro to "Here Today" he said, "Jon to boku no taiwa, " (conversation between John and I).

He introduced "Something," as a "Jouji no tsuitou, " (tribute to George).

During "Sgt. Pepper's Reprise", Paul sang "Thank you" in the bridge of the song at the first show. At this show he said thank you in Japanese! "ARIGATO!"

At the end of the show, red and white confetti (the colors of the Japanese flag) was blown from machines on the staduim floor. At the previous show red, white and blue confetti was used.

Paul and Heather arrived in Japan on Saturday, November 9 at 5:31pm (local time). They flew directly from Los Angeles to Narita Airport and were greeted by 2,000 screaming fans some who held posters in English that read, "I Love You Paul," "Welcome to Japan Paul," and "Happy Wedding." There was a scuffle with security when the fans tried to reach Paul with fights breaking out. A fan lost a hat and Paul bent down to pick it up and gave it back to the fan. Macca and the band drove to their hotel (Four Seasons) in Mejiro where they will be staying while in Tokyo.

The band signed autographs at the hotel and Paul came into the lobby once but didn't stay. A couple with a 3-year-old child came up to Paul and Heather and with the parents coaxing, said, "I love you Paul!" (in English) That made Paul and Heather smile.

On November 10 the band rehearsed a local studio and then Paul and Heather checked out a Kabuki performance.

November 11- Tokyo - Tokyo Dome

Paul left the hotel at 3:45 but didn't stop or open the car window for the fans waiting there. Songs heard at the sound check: "Coming Up," "C Moon, "Calico Skies," "Midnight Special" and "Celebration."

The preshow started at 7:32pm and was basically the same with the addition of large flower shaped balloons and "chouchin" (Japanese paper lanterns) with Chinese characters printed on them: "AIJOU"(Love), "JIYUU"(Freedom), "HEIWA"(Peace), "KANKI"(Delight) and "KOUUN"(Lucky). There were also some new Japanese dancers.

Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, red (red is the symbol color for 60 years old in Japan!) long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. He was in great voice and his hair was a little longer.

Paul's English was translated into Japanese and projected on the video screens in real time, but it lagged too far behind. Paul asked the audience, "Do you understand what I mean? There are eight translators backstage." Paul said he was going to say something the translators didn't expect him to say and said, "A dog slipped on a banana! " The translators wrote, "the dog SLEPT on the banana!"

The massage stories were omitted. Paul played the massage 'mood music' as an intro to "The Fool On The Hill" and hummed during the piano introduction. He sang his usual forgetful lyrics to "You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight" but the audience didn't understood his joke. He hummed at the end of the song.

Paul told the Japanese audience that they were, "Subarashii" (Great!)

When Paul introduced "My Love" he said, "Korewa Linda no tameni tukutta kyoku desu." (I wrote this song for Linda). Paul had a piece of paper that he referred to when he spoke Japanese.

Fans waved "lumica lights" (glow sticks) during "Let It Be."

Paul told his usual stories in English and the translations didn't evoke a crowd response. For Michelle he said, "John was one and a half years older than me, and he remained that way." The audience didn't get the joke. Paul said, " that was a joke, but I don't care, ...if you don't get it, 'cos the translators will never get this sh*t!" That got the band laughing along with Paul. He added, "The dog slipped on the banana!"

"Freedom" was not performed.

When "Band On the Run" began, the audience cheered for so long, Paul who was not in front of his microphone, came in late and had to sing quickly to catch-up!

He and other band members sometimes spoke in Japanese. Paul said, "Minna genki kai?"(Are you OK?) Abe said, "Rokku suruzo!"(Let's rock!) Brian said, "Te wo agero."(Clap your hands)

Paul came out wearing the "no more land mines" red T-shirt for the encores. He did not sign any autographs a because there was a huge barricaded gap in front of the stage which placed the front row too far to throw items on the stage.

The programs were the same as in the US but they were translated into Japanese and the tour name, "Driving Japan" was on them.

(more later)

Paul talks in a recent interview about the concerts in Mexico City.

Q: Did the reception in Mexico surprise you?

Paul: Oh yeah. Just the volume of those crowds was surprising. We've talked about the energy of the audience and its intensity, but added to that was their sheer volume - so much so that the road crew were having to hold their ears. And these are guys who are used to standing in front of a fully wound-up guitar amp, it surprised them. The passion of an audience like that is always great to see, every performer loves a passionate audience. But what was uncanny was what they did with their cigarette lighters when I was singing Every Night and they were clicking the flames of their lighters on and off in time with the song. That was so amazing that I just had to stop singing the song.

Q: Why did you stop?

Paul: It seemed to me that they were so rhythmical that even if I stopped, which is a bit dangerous because they might all get out of time, I just had no doubt that they would not only be able to continue spot-on in time, but they would also be very much up for it. So I thought they'd enjoy it and I certainly wanted to see it, and I just felt intuitively 'this will work'. So I was in the middle of singing Every night I just want to get out of my head and then stopped and just clicked my thumbs as they carried on with this light, spot-on in time. It was one of those little magic moments; you think 'I'll remember that'. It was their idea to do the lighters and they were so good at it I thought 'OK, let's just solo your idea'. Let's just forget about me and the band and the whole evening, let's just have the spotlight on you. It was like isolating one of the faders in a mix, let's just have you for a bit. It wasn't even you and me, it was just you. Which is after all, at the very end of the show, at the very end of the tour, after you've done all the thank yous, you think most of all we wanted to thank you, the audience. That's the truth of a great tour; it's that something's happened with the band, with the music, with the crew - and most of all, with the audience, they've responded. And that feedback is.........everything.

On Paul's day off, November 4, he and Heather did some sightseeing in picturesque Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico 50 miles from Mexico City. Paul drove his own car followed by an entourage of cars to the city which has an Aztec pyramid on top of a mountain. Later that evening Paul, Heather, Abe, Wix and Brian attended Peter Gabriel's second concert in Mexico City. The band sat in the tenth row while Paul and Heather sat in the wings on the left side of the stage. Before the encore, McCartney and crew left.

November 5 - Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes

All three shows in Mexico City were sellouts. The day of the last Mexico City show, they announced on the PA system "NO HAY MAS BOLETOS" (No More Tickets)

The band arrived before Paul and at 5:05pm did their own sound check until 5:25pm. Paul showed up around 5:30pm and waved to the 150 fans. At 5:45pm he and the band did a sound check together. There were about 150 fans waiting.

Songs heard at the sound check: "Talking About Tomorrow" (new song, possible outtake from "Driving Rain"), Coming Up," (Paul introduces the song as the "Mexican version," slower than usual with Paul shouting "Tequila!" over and over, a jam followed the song), "Freedom" (with Paul playing the Les Paul guitar instead of the acoustic with the video screens showing faces of American presidents and a video screen that flashed "VIVA LA LIBERTAD!" [Freedom Lives!] at the song's end), "Honey Don't," "Honey Hush," "Celebration" (instrumental with full band, Paul on grand piano), "C Moon," unidentified rock-a-billy song, an acoustic improvisation with full band,"Besame Mucho," "Calico Skies" (with the band singing back-up vocals, the tour crew applauded this version at it's end), "Midnight Special," "Here, There and Everywhere," Spanish guitar riffs, jam with Paul on piano, another jam that lasted 10 minutes starting with the lyrics to "Hey Jude," continuing with "Lady Madonna," Tres Conejos (Three Rabbits - poem), and "You Never Give Me Your Money" with Paul singing "you only give me one peso..."

The show started around 8:45pm and Paul got onstage at 9pm wearing the purple-blue Nehru jacket, a red long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. Rusty called Paul "Pablo" and Paul called Rusty "Rustico!"

Before "Blackbird" the crowd cheered, "PAUL- PAUL- PAUL!" and Paul answered with, "MEXICO- MEXICO-MEXICO!!!"

Macca messed up the words to "Hello Goodbye," "Eleanor Rigby" (Brian was singing the right words and Paul wasn't), "Driving Rain and "Michelle." On "Getting Better" he didn't get to the microphone quick enough so he skipped a verse, and the band replayed the verse so he could sing it. He also forgot to turn up his volume up on the guitar when he started the song.

Paul stopped, "Every Night" again in the middle of the song so people could turn their lighters on and off. He made the noise (shick, shick, shick) of a lighter going on and off in time with the audience. At the very end he pulled out his own lighter and with flame blazing, held it up in a salute to the audience.

For the massage story Paul said, "a little Japanese lady came to my room." The crowd yelled "Woooo!" and Paul said, "Not THAT kind of massage!"

Paul pulled out his lighter after "Let It Be" and thanked everyone for the lights; "Gracias la luz especial y la luz Mexicana" (thanks for the special light and the Mexican light).

He said a few times to the audience, "Ustedes son un gran publico!" (you are a great audience).

Paul recited his "Three Rabbits" poem in Spanish again.

Before "She's Leaving Home" Wix said, "No hablo español, pero quiero decirles que ustedes son los mejores cantantes. (I don't speak Spanish but I want to tell you, you are the best singers) The best singers in the world!"

After "Can't Buy Me Love" Paul said, "OH YEAH!! "( the crowd repeated), "ALL RIGHT!!"(crowd repeats), "OK!"(crowd responds again), "RRRRRRRRAAAAA!"(people cheer), and then Paul said, "Excellent."

When Paul did "Something" the audience clapped along to the rhythm of the song and sang along.

After "Back in the USSR," Paul said, "Un gran publico, con corazones grandes!" ( a great audience, with great hearts)

Rusty took decided to a photo of the audience and asked everyone to get closer together for the photo.

Just before "I Saw Her Standing There" Paul said that he wanted people to experience what it was like to be onstage. He pointed to people in the audience saying "Cuatro amigos Mexicanos" (four Mexican friends) and brought up three female and one male fan (teenagers) from the audience to dance onstage during the song. The young man had wore a T-shirt with a Union Jack (British) flag on it. Two woman had on Sgt. Pepper suit and the third wore a mini skirt. The woman kissed Paul when they got onstage. The fans met the band and then Paul launched into the song. Paul said, "And now cuatro Mexicanos...bailando!" (four Mexicans dance) The fans danced and one female and one male shared Paul's microphone to sing with him. One brave fan played Paul's psychedelic piano! During the middle eight Paul said, "Bailando, bailando!" (dance, dance!) and the male fan danced and jumped up and dow. And at the end he had the crowd cheer them, "Amigos...cuatro Mexicanos!" (four Mexican friends).

When Paul sang "Yesterday," "All My Loving," "Blackbird," "We Can Work it Out," "Eleanor Rigby," Here, There and Everywhere," "Michelle," "Band On the Run," "Back In the USSR," "My Love," "Let 'Em In," "Let It Be," and 'Hey Jude" the whole audience sang along with him.

Before he left the stage he signed a few albums and said, "Adios México! Nos vemos en la proxima! (Goodbye Mexico! See you next time!). He flew back to Los Angeles right after the concert.

November 3 - Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes

(photo by Sergio Flores Gomez)

A local newspaper's headline for November 4 read, "PASA PAUL DE CABALLERO A REY DESPUES DE SU SEGUNDO CONCIERTO" (Paul from a knight to a King after his second show). Geoff Baker was heard backstage saying that the first show in Mexico City "was the best concert of the whole tour."

Macca's limo showed up around 4:30pm at the venue and this time there were about 50 fans waiting. He rolled down the window and waved to the fans.

The sound check lasted one hour and this is the set list: "Welcome to the Secret," "Coming Up," "Honey Don't," "Honey Hush," another jam, "Celebration," (instrumental from "Standing Stone" with full band), "The Long and Winding Road," "Ain't She Sweet, " "Ain't She Sweet" (reprise), "San Francisco Bay Blues," "Here, There and Everywhere," "Till There Was You," "You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight" (short version), piano improvisation, "Hey Jude" (mock version), and "Lady Madonna."

The show began at 8:00pm and Paul wore a white suit jacket, a red long sleeved T-shirt and dark dress pants.

After "Jet" he said, "HOLA...HOLA mi querido Mexico!" (Hello, hello my dear Mexico).

For the intro to "Getting Better" he said, "Esta cancion nunca ha sido tocada en vivo, hasta este año." (this song has never been performed live until this year). After the song the crowd chanted, "PAUL!, PAUL!, PAUL!" (with Abe hitting the hi-hat symbols in time with the chant ) Then Paul said, "It's great for us to be here in Mexico. WE LOVE YOU!," and he launched into "Coming up."

When he finished "Let Me" Roll it he said, "Son un gran publico!" (you are a great crowd). Then he took off his jacket, and the band played "The Stripper" song. In English and Spanish (Spanglish) he said, " So far, canciones vieja (old songs), and now, cancion nueva (new songs) and then he started "Lonely Road."

Abe said, "Hola mi querido Mexico, como estas, te tengo una pregunat: estan listos para el ROCK? Mi espanol es muy malo, pero it is good to be here and here is Paul McCartney!" (Hello my dear Mexico. How are you? I have a quesion for you. Are you ready to ROCK? My Spanish is bad, but it is good to be here...)

For the intro to "Your Loving Flame" Paul said, "Esta cancion es para alguien muy especial, para mi esposa hermosa, Heather." (This song is for somebody special, my beautiful wife, Heather).

Before the solo acoustic set Paul said, "Solamente, (single) just you and me", and then he told the story about civil unrest in American during the '60s and said in Spanish, "Derechos Humanos," (human rights) adding, "A las mujeres las llamamos pájaros ." (we called the women birds) Then he finished the story in English and began "Blackbird."

One of the highlights was Paul stopping "Every Night" in the middle of the song so people could clap and flip their lighters on off as Paul kept the rhythm of the song with his arms like a conductor mimicking the sound of the lighters going on and off. Then he finished the song and the audience of 18,000 pounded the floor with their feet creating a thunderous noise. Paul was very moved and said again, "Un gran publico!" (a great crowd)

He recited the Spanish poem again about the " Tres conejos en un arbol......"(three rabbits in a tree). The audience laughed.

After "We can Work It Out" he said, Great audience MEXICO! You're the BEST! Los numero UNO!!!!! (you're number one).

He told the usual massage stories in both English and Spanish starting off with, "He tenido muchos masajes," (I had many massages).

For "Here Today" he spoke in half English and Spanish (Spanglish) "Para mi amigo John!" (for my friend John) ... una conversacion entre John y yo" ( a conversation between John and I). At the end of the intro his voice broke with emotion.

"Something" was introduced by Paul as "Un tributo a George! (a tribute to George) And because yesterday was 'Dia de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead), We say, 'vivan los muertos!'" (the dead live on)

For "Michelle" he did the intro in Spanglish saying, "Before the Beatles, en Inglaterra...si,. (in England...yes) Me and George wanted to be more sofisticados y maduros (sophisticated and mature) so I wore una camisa negra y pretendia ser Frances." (I wore a black shirt and pretended to be French).

"Band on the Run" "Back in the USSR" and "Every Night" got the biggest audience reaction.

Rusty said, "El publico esta padrisimo, un gran saludo a mexico." (You are a cool audience, a great greeting to Mexico) Then Paul said, "Muy bien Rusty!" (very good, Rusty!) and began "Maybe I'm Amazed."

Paul introduced "My Love" in Spanish and English, "Escribi esta cancion para Linda, y esta noche es para todos los amantes en la casa. (I wrote this song for Linda and tonight it's for all the lovers in the house) All the lovers in the house, you know who you are...!"

Wix said, "Muchas gracias, hola Mexico! (thank you very much, hello Mexico) So I was here in 1993. It was a fantastic audience and then and it is now. I don't think that anybody sings better than you...and you know all the words!!!"

Brian said, "Buenas noches Mexico." (good evening Mexico) Then he asked the people on the left side to scream for him and then the people on the right and then those in the middle, which they did.

After "Can't Buy Me Love," Paul said, "OH YEAH!" and the audience repeated. Then Paul said "OH YEAH!" and the audience responded louder. "AMIGOS!," yelled Paul and the audience yelled back "AMIGOS!" Then Paul yelled "MEXICO!" The audience responded with "OUUUU!!!!!!" in a cheer.

"PAUL- PAUL- PAUL!" was the audience chant after "Live and Let Die" and "Let It Be."

"Hey Jude" was a longer version with an extended singalong. Paul led the crowd, "EVERYBODY IN MEXICO!...Solo los Hombres ( the men only)...Solamente las Mujeres! (only the women)...OK, ALL TOGETHER! Yeah, yeah, I love to hear you singing, CANTEN CON NOSOTROS!" (SING WITH US). At the end of the song he said he pointed to people and said, "You were great, fantastico!" (fantastic)

When he came back for the first encore he was waving the Mexican flag.

For the "Lady Madonna" intro he said, "Siento que quieren seguir bailando. ( I think you want to keep dancing? Yes? OK friends)

A sign in the audience said, "PLEASE CANTA (SING) BESAME MUCHO." Paul saw it and during "I Saw Her Standing There," he mimed the words "Besame Mucho" to the sign holder.

At the end he asked the audience to toss up and albums and tour programs. He signed two "Ram" albums and several other items before he left the stage.

November 2 - Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes

Set List
Hello Goodbye
Jet
All My Loving
Getting Better
Coming Up
Let Me Roll It
Lonely Road
Driving Rain
Your Loving Flame
Blackbird
Every Night
We Can Work It Out
You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight
The Fool On the Hill
Here Today
Something
Eleanor Rigby
Here There and Everywhere
Michelle
Band On The Run
Back In The USSR
Maybe I'm Amazed
Let 'Em In
My Love
She's leaving Home
Can't Buy Me Love
Live and Let Die
Let It Be
Hey Jude
Long And Winding Road
Lady Madonna
I Saw Her Standing There
Yesterday
Sgt. Peppers Reprise/The End

Paul arrived at the Toluca City airport in Mexico on November 1. He was driven 12 miles to Mexico City in a special amoured white stretch Lincoln Towncar limo with police escort.

Security was very tight at the Palacio de los Deportes. Paul and Heather arrived at the venue at 4:28pm in the white limo with a police escort of three men on motorcyles and one police car. Paul rolled down the window and waved to the 20 fans. The soundcheck started at 4:40 and ended at 5:32pm with an earlier sound check by the band without Paul at 3:00pm. Songs heard at the sound check were: "Coming Up," "Bring It To Jerome," "Honey Hush," "Let It Be," "C Moon," "Calico Skies," "Here, There and Everywhere," "Midnight Special," "Good Rocking Tonight," "Twenty Flight Rock," and two unidentified long jams with Paul tinkering on the psychedelic piano. He talked in Spanish to VIPs backstage before the show saying jokingly, "VIVA LA REVOLUCION!" (Long live the revolution!)

Before the concert Paul did a 20-minute interview with "EL CLUB DE LOS BEATLES" Mexico's answer to "Breakfast With the Beatles." The Mexican radio show has been on the air for 30 years. He talked in Spanish and English.

"Freedom" was not performed in Mexico but it was performed at the November 5th sound check (see report of concert above).

The show started at 8:17pm and Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, a long-sleeved red T-shirt with a white backside and blue jeans. He greeted the sold out audience with, "HOLA!!, HOLA MI QUERIDO MEXICO!!!!!!" (Hello, hello my dear Mexico!) He was in great voice. He asked the audience if they understood English and they screamed, "Yes!"

For the intro to "Lonely Road" he spoke in English and Spanish: "So far, we've been playing canciones viejas (old songs), and this is a cancion nueva." (new song)

The audience chanted "porras" (cheers) throughout the show. Some of them were: "PAUL, PAUL, PAUL!! ME-XI-CO, ME-XI-CO" with Paul adding to the middle of the chant "Si, Si, Si" (Yes, yes, yes!).

Paul said, "Oh Yeah!" and the audience repeated it. He said it again and the audience repeated and then did a "Wooo!"

For the intro to "Here Today" he said, "Para mi amigo John." (for my friend John). The crowd started chanting "LENNON, LENNON, LENNON!" In Mexico November 2 is a remembrance day for the dead and Paul said, "Today is 'Dia de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead). So I say with John in mind, vivan los muertos!" (the dead live on).

"Something" was acknowledged by the crowd, not with applause but by the custom of flicking lighters on and off. The audience did that frequently during the show and Paul said many times, "Thanks for the lights!"

Paul told the audience in Spanish, "Corazones Grandes, Mexico!" (great hearts, Mexico). "Muchas gracias por su cariño, Mexico!" (Thank you very much for your affection, Mexico). And "Gracias! Son un gran publico!" (Thanks! You are a great crowd). Paul spoke in Spanish as much as he could and if he didn't know the right words in Spanish he asked the audience for help.

After "Every Night," Paul said to the enthusiastic audience, "PACHANGA, PACHANGA!!" (PARTY, PARTY!!) During the song the audience turned pocket lighters on an off in an amazing display of lights. Paul was so moved he forgot for a moment the lyrics to the song. He said to the audience, "Gee, It looks like a lot of you smoke!" He mimicked with his thumb the flicking on and off of the lighters and the audience flicked their lighters on an off in time with his simulation. He made the noise (shick, shick, shick) of a lighter going on and off in time with the audience.

Paul treated the audience with the first poem he learned in Spanish just before "The Fool On The Hill." He said, "En inglaterra cuando yo 11 años de viejo me enseñaron español," (In England when I was 11-years-old, they taught me Spanish). Then he recited the "Three Rabbits in a Tree" poem. "Tes Conejos, en un árbol, tocando el tambor, que si que no que si lo he visto yo." (Three rabbits in a tree, playing a drum. Why yes? Why no? Why yes? I have seen it.) The audience laughed and cheered Paul.

He told the massage stories in English and when he talked about the masseuse in Japan he said, "This young lady came to me..." the crowd misunderstood and screamed "WOOOOO!!!" Paul joked, "No this is legal!"

Abe who has family in Mexico City did his introduction in Spanish, "Mi querido Mexico, como estas? (My dear Mexico, how are you?) Les tengo una pregunta. Estan Listos Para el ROCK?" (I have a question for you. Are you ready to ROCK?) "Nosotros tambien! (We are too!) Paul said, "Excelente, excelente Abraham." (Excellent, excellent Abraham). Then Paul started his introduction to "Your Loving Flame." "Esta cancion es para alguien muy especial, que esta en la casa ahora. Es para mi exposa hermosa, es para Heather. (This song is for someone very special in the house. It's for my beautiful wife--it's for Heather)
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Paul introduced the band in Spanish.

Wix mentioned that 1993 he didn't remember the Mexican audience being quite so loud. He said maybe the reason why the audience was so loud tonight was because they had been drinking tequila!

For the "Hey Jude" singalong Paul said, "solo hombres" (men only) and "solo mujeres" (women only).

He came out waving the Mexican flag for the first encore. In Mexico it is customary for ONLY Mexicans citizens to wave the flag. But Paul was allowed to do it. A fan threw a "sombrero de charro" (Mexican hat) on the stage and Paul put it on. He said, "Han sido un publico excelente" (you have been an excellent crowd). Paul gave the sombrero to Abe who wore it for the first encore.

When Paul left the stage at the end of the show the audience chanted, "PAUL! PAUL! PAUL!" for more than five minutes. Confetti fell from the ceiling in the colors of the Mexican flag, red, green and white.

Paul signed autographs from the stage. A "Revolver"album, a "Choba B CCCP" (Russian album) and a poster.

The tour program had the "Driving Mexico" cover with Paul flying in the air and the Mexican flag behind him. The content was the same as the "Back in the US" tour program and it was in English. There were two official T-shirts with the "Driving Mexico" slogan on it. Programs were $12, T-shirts were $17 and hats were $15.

October 29 - Phoenix, AZ - America West Arena

Special thanks to Brenda Spencer for the concert photos-click to enlarge

Paul's limo came in around 6:15 pm with a police motorcyle escort and zoomed by the 50 + fans waiting. It appeared he might have come directly from the airport. Paul was hanging out the passenger side window and Heather was on the opposite side waving to fans there. Pat O'Brien from "Access Hollywood" was with his crew at the show.

Security was tight and posters, banners and albums were taken from concertgoers either on the way in or if they were spotted with them at the show. Flags had to had the stick removed or they wouldn't be allowed in. Fans hid albums under their clothes and kept them hidden until the end of the show. There was a table set-up inside the venue where you could leave flowers and gifts for Paul. Security promised to take it backstage.

Signs in the audience: "We Love Heather," "Macca Rules," "Magical Macca Tour " and "Thanks for 15 amazing concerts" (which Paul gave the thumbs up).

Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, a long-sleeved red T-shirt and blue jeans and got onstage around 8:50pm. The preshow started late at 8:30pm.

"Whoa, Phoenix, Arizona. We have come to rock you tonight!" Paul exclaimed with his fist held in the air. And rock they did. The Phoenix audience was very enthusiastic standing and sitting at the appropriate times. There was a lot of energy because it was the last show. Comedian David Spade who was at the Los Angeles show was seen in the second row.

For the intro to "Getting Better" Paul talked about the song being written in the '60s but never performed live. He added, "I was there [in the '60s], but I don't remember it."

He screwed up the first chord to "Blackbird" and started over admitting that he was man enough to say he made a mistake. "This is a miscalculation but I'm man enough to admit my mistake," he said. Then he practiced the chords strumming each time and saying, "No that's not it. That's not it. That's IT!"

He also came in too soon on "Maybe I'm Amazed" singing over Rusty's guitar solo but stopped when he realized it. Paul immitated Wix acting out the words to the songs .

On "Lonely Road", he messed up the lyric in the first verse that goes, "But all I could ever do was fill my time with thoughts of you", by saying "But all I could ever do was fill my THOUGHTS with thoughts of you." He giggled when he screwed up.

Then on the second verse of "Fool on the Hill," instead of saying "But nobody seams to hear him or the sound he appears to make", he sang, "But nobody seems to hear him, they can tell what he wants to do."

He mentioned seeing a number of cell phones being held up in the audience so people could call their friends. He pointed to a man with a cell phone in the front row and said, "YOU'RE BUSTED!" He also talked about seeing signs in the audience that he had to read and once again mentioned, "My mother saw you in Chicagoin 1964!"

Both "Freedom" and "Hey Jude" had extended endings. Paul said, "Peace and freedom," at the end of "Freedom" flashing the double peace sign with his hands held high in the air. For "Hey Jude" he asked more sections including; the upper deck, lower deck, and the floor, to participate in the singalong besides "just the men" and "just the women."

There were two toy teddy bears on Abe's platform behind Paul instead of the usual one. It appeared that the two bears were lying on top of each other!

Heather was seen in the photo pit wearing a black lace top. Her sister Fiona was with her. Heather showed up several songs into the show and left a few times and came back.

For the intro to "My Love," McCartney said, "I wrote this song for Linda. And tonight it's for all the lovers in the audience."

For the bow at the end of the first encore the band held hands and stayed down longer than usual. Fans threw bras and panties up on the stage. Paul picked up a pointed black bra and ran over to Abe and placed it on his chest to see if it would fit!

A woman handed out about 20 candles to people on the right side (facing the stage) in the mezzanine before "Let It Be." Paul noticed and pointed to them and said, "Oh, nice."

Paul did a successful Hofner toss to John Hammel who nearly dropped it and had to back up quickly to catch it, colliding into Rusty. When John exchanged guitars with Paul after "Yesterday," Paul still had his guitar strap sitting on his shoulder from the acoustic guitar which John didn't notice. Consequently, John placed the Les Paul strap over the accoustic strap entangling Paul with the two guitars and straps. It took some time to undo.

Just before the "Long and Winding Road" (as at the last show in Ft. Lauderdale May 18) Paul's crew including the preshow performers gathered at the front of the stage holding red heart-shaped balloons. Paul was emotional but not as emotional as he was in Ft. Lauderdale. He explained it was the last show of the American tour and everyone had a great time and he wanted to thank all who were involved especially the fans. When the crew left some of them gave their balloons to fans.

After the second encore Paul came out shadow boxing. He said, "YOU ARE LOUD! I didn't know what to do say so they told me to make something up." More bras were tossed up and Paul grabbed one to give to Brian who made a face. Then another was tossed and Paul looked a bit embarrassed and ignored it.

Paul signed a "Sgt. Pepper" album, an "Abbey Road " album (congrats Toni Johnson who had a sign that read "Please Sign My Album" and had to wrestle her album away from some guy who intercepted Paul's toss to her friend), a tour program (congrats to Marilyn Penix), a "Driving Rain" album (congrats to Sharon, that makes 5!!!) and someone from the first level mezzanine on the side (left if you face the stage), tossed a "Driving Rain" CD to the stage. Paul signed it and threw it back!

A female fan threw onstage a rare VeeJay "Introducing the Beatles" album with the original sticker on it. Paul didn't sign it and a security guard threw it back to her but it was intercepted by a jerk who ripped it in half before he handed it back to her. Security came to her aid but it was too late for the album.

Before he left the stage Paul thanked the audience again and said, "This is the Last show of the American tour and November 2nd, I'll be in Mexico City!"

Paul' s roadies handed a used and slightly damaged drumhead to a fan in the front row (congrats Robin E.) and some drumsticks to a 7-year-old boy who was also in the front row. Picks were tossed out to fans. Brian Ray also threw some picks out to fans before he left the stage.

Lucky fan Todd Harrison, his wife Candy and their two young daughters left the concert before the last two songs, stopping to buy tour merchandise and headed for the airport to catch Paul leaving. When they got there Paul's tour bus was stopped at the gate and Macca himself was standing beside it signing autographs for all the fans waiting there! Paul had stopped the bus on the way in when he saw the fans. Todd, his wife and the girls got in line for autographs and Paul signed Todd's "Driving Rain" album. He also shook the girls hands (8 and 4-years-old) and touched the youngest on the chin. He shook Todd's hand and signed his wife's tour program and then hugged her! When Paul was finished signing, he got on the tour bus and it drove over to the waiting jet. It was just after midnight and the plane was bond for Los Angeles.

October 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center

Paul's limo arrived early at 4:25pm and he rolled down the window and waved to the 15 fans waiting but did not stop.

Heard at the soundcheck: "Getting Better," "Let 'Em In," "C Moon," "Midnight Special," "Calico Skies," "Celebration," "Lady Madonna," and "You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight."

There was a star-studded backstage party held before the concert. Celebrities mingled in a room with Paul that was in a private area. There were so many celebrities in the room, other celebrities had to wait their turn to get an audience with Paul. One of Paul's people would come out and usher celebrities in as others left.

Celebrities at the show were: Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne, Cloris Leachman, Ray Ramono, David Spade, Mick Jagger, Nicolas Cage and Lisa Marie Presley, James Taylor, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Cross, Demi Moore, Sylvester and Jennifer Stallone, Tom Green, Keith Urban, George Thorogood, Carole King, Bill Clinton, Winona Ryder, Brian Wilson and Kevin Spacey.

"Here we are in the state of CALA-FORN-I-A, said Paul as he welcomed the audience.

The show started around 8:45pm. Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, long-sleeved red T-shirt and dark charcoal pants. His voice did show signs of strain since the beginning of the tour and it cracked on "The Fool On The Hill." But for the most part he nailed the high notes and his voice held up well.

The audience was typical of a Los Angeles celebrity-studded crowd. Many VIP passes were seen. Less standing, screaming and dancing in the crowd. Signs were confiscated at the door so very few made it in.

When Paul talked about signs in the audience (there weren't many). He pointed out one and said, "My mother LOVES you!"

Paul congratulated the Angels baseball team and said, "The angels won the world series! How about that?" The audience let out a big cheer.

Heather who was making the TV interview rounds in New York with a booksigning, made it back in time to see the concert. She and her sister Fiona danced and clapped in the photo pit on the left side (facing the stage). Heather was still wearing the long black skirt and black-and-white blouse.

Paul came out shadow-boxing for the second encore. After the concert, he signed a full-scale paper guitar, with pen attached, that someone made. The guitar was thrown on the stage at the Las Vegas show but Paul did not see it.

About an hour after the concert, at the VIP entrance, former President Bill Clinton exited under moderate secret service escort. Clinton stayed outside and shook hands with an estimated 50 people and signed some autographs before leaving. Clinton had a caravan of eight cars and many secret service agents when he left.

(more later)

October 26 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Garden Grand Arena

Paul arrived around 5:20pm and there were only six fans waiting. The car had to stop at a stop sign to turn into the venue. Heather was on the driver's side where the fans were and didn't roll down window right away. Paul told her to roll down the window and leaned over her to wave to the fans. Heather did not wave or acknowleged the fans.

Fifty people with green wristbands were let into the sound check. Heard at the sound check: long unidentified instrumental, "Coming Up," another unidentifed song with the lyrics, "Las Vegas is the town to loose all your money...Las Vegas will take it on through, " "Blackbird," "Lady Madonna," and unidentified rock-a-billy songs.

Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, red long-sleeved T-shirt and pinstriped gray pants.

Signs in the audience: "This is the best night of my life," "Paul this is the best year of my life," which made Paul chuckle.

Ozzy Osbourne opted to see Paul in concert at the MGM while his wife Sharon was seen backstage at intermission at Luciano Pavarotti's "Farewell Las Vegas" concert Saturday at Mandalay Bay.

At the end of "Freedom" when Paul held up his acoustic guitar he put his guitar pick in mouth and made a big smile with the pick between his teeth.

Rusty took photos of the audience after "Back in the USSR."

Paul mentioned during the encore that it was getting near the end of the show and said, "You've got to go home. Oh, We can't say that in Vegas."

After "I Saw Her Standing There," Paul tripped on something and almost fell. He reached down and picked up something small that he showed to Rusty.

He signed two albums and a "Blackbird Singing" poetry book.

October 25 - Anaheim, CA - The Arrowhead Pond

Paul's limo arrived at the venue around 5:30pm. Paul rolled down the window and he and Heather waved to the 20 fans standing in the "driving rain."The sound check started around 5:45 and afterwards Paul recorded a Rockline interview from backstage.

Twenty-two lucky fans were picked to go to the sound check through a radio station (Arrow 93.1 FM) contest. Songs heard at the sound check: "Coming Up," "India," "Matchbox," "Honey Don't," "Celebration" (Standing Stone) "C Moon," (with Jamaican rap), "Calico Skies," "Blackbird," "Midnight Special," "Do You Want To Know A Secret," "You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight," and "Lady Madonna." Concertgoers could not be let in until the soundcheck was over at 7pm.

Traffic was horrendous getting to Anaheim and lines of cars were misdirected causing traffic jams as they tried to get out of parking lots that were already filled. Many people didn't make it into the venue until after Paul's set started.

The show started late and Paul took the stage a 8:45pm wearing the purple-blue nehru jacket, red long-sleeved T-shirt and pinstriped gray pants. His hair was noticably cut very short.

The audience was enthusiastic but there were a lot of empty seats. The show was not sold out and not as filled up as the show on May 5. Many people got up and left after the first encore. Fans at the first show said the crowd was much more enthusiastic than this time around.

Paul referred to the audience as "Anaheimies."

Paul's Internet letter to his fans (above) was distributed to people on the way to their seats. Note that Paul says in the letter for fans in Japan to break the rules and "party and bop as much as you want to. Let your hair down, guys; and if they give you any problem with their rules tell them Paul said it was OK to holler and leap about. Don't worry about 'convention', pass the word and let's keep it among ourselves - give the stewards a Mac Attack. " Ironically the fans that chose to stand in Anaheim got told to sit down by other concertgoers. The nosebleed sections managed to get the 'wave' going several times.

The show was basically the same as with the same scripted stories except when Paul was reading the audience signs. He said, he saw some kids holding signs that read, " I AM JOHN," "I AM PAUL." He joked and said, "where is the sign that says ' I AM LUIGI'?"

It did manage to make a flub ironically after his rewritten lyric on "You Never Give Me Money" forgetting the words that he usually remembers and singing, "I never give me your money." He also came in too soon on "Michelle" singing a verse when Rusty was playing the guitar solo. After he realized his mistake he made a funny face.

More signs at the Pond: "Paul, your message board loves you," and "PAUL! THROW ME A KISS" which he did.

Paul autographed three Beatles albums cover before he left the stage.

October 22 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion/Compaq Arena

Paul's limo arrived with police motorcyle escort at the Compaq Arena around 5:45pm. There were about 50 fans waitiing and Paul leaned out the window to wave to them as he talked on the cell phone to Greg Kihn at KFOX radio. The band and entourage arrived in two tour motor coaches.

Paul wore the purple-blue Nehru jacket, a red long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. His voice was showing some signs of strain but for the most part he was in great voice.

He talked about signs in the audience and how he'll sometimes lose his focus in the middle of a song by trying to read one of them and mentioned the "My Mother Saw You In Chicago" sign again.

Signs in the audience: "YOU EFFING ROCK!," "Definitely Not Dodgy!," and "Luv from Merseyside."

Paul took off his jacket before "Lonely Road" and sometime later his red T-shirt was untucked because his pants are getting so loose!

Paul addressed the crowd as "San Jose-ee-ans."

He commented, "The last time I was here and said 'see you next time' I had no idea it would be this soon!"

Right before "Blackbird," Paul walked from the grand piano over to the microphone, and said, "Looks like we have a technical glitch here." It appeared that big screen had not come down behind him. Paul went into his usual ab-lib about "this is the part where the band leaves me alone with you." He had to drag it out and seemed lost for words other than keeping to the script so he started singing an Irish pub song! About 30 seconds later, John Hammel came out with his guitar and the big screen started to come down. Paul stepped away from the microphone, turned his back to the audience, and started picking the opening lines to "Blackbird." Satisfied that he got it right, he said, "Yeah, that's how it goes," and began to talk about the origins of the song.

After he did "You Loving Flame" which he dedicated to Heather he make the heart sign with his arms over his head and patted his heart which is what he used to do for Linda on "My Love."

Paul was visibly emotional during the song "My Love" in both Sacramento and San Jose.

When Paul introduced Rusty, Rusty said, "I know you can't bring cameras in here, but I wanted to take a picture for my scrapbook." So he focused on his side of the audience, told everyone to "squeeze together", and snapped a picture!

For "Something" when he mentioned that George Harrison gave him the ukelele, the crowd cheered. And he once again joked saying, "Little did he [George] know that later, in San Jose, it would get a round of applause!"

For "Hey Jude" Paul added "just the people in the upper deck" to "just the men" and "just the women" audience singalongs. The reason was because a group of six very enthusiastic women with glowsticks, glow-hooped earrings, and red-blinking arrows were in the upper deck near the stage.

After "I Saw Her Standing There" Paul gently handed the Hofner to John because of his bad catch the night before.

At the end of the show only three vinyl albums were tossed up to the stage. Brian Ray gathered up the albums and handed them to Paul. After Paul started to sign the albums people started tossing more things up to him but he only signed the three albums.Paul signed a "Hard Day's Night" and "Wings At the Speed of Sound," albums for Sharon (again congrats--now she has four!) and a "Press to Play" album. They had to struggle with some drunks who intercepted their albums and wouldn't give them back but they got tough and got them back! Don't mess with Macca fans!!!

Congrats to Robin Eastburn for the "Press to Play" autograph!

October 21 - Sacramento, CA - Arco Arena

Paul's plane flew in from Los Angeles to a private airfield in Sacramento at about 5:15pm. There were three fans waiting at the fence next to where his jet parked. They held up a large sign that read: "WELCOME TO SACRAMENTO PAUL!!" and asked him to come over and sign autographs. After a brief discussion with his security, he got off the plane and walked over to the fence and signed autographs for everyone.

Paul's white limo arrived around 5:35pm at the venue with police escort. He and Heather waved to the fans. Paul had to lean over Heather to wave because he was on the opposite side of the car (passenger). The car did not stop. There were only about 11 fans waiting (east entrance) because security had told people Paul was already inside and they kept people away from the ramp by screaming at them and saying they were trespassing. Barricades were set-up more than 15 yards from the driveway which proved very disappointing for waiting fans.

The preshow started at 8:05pm and Paul took the stage around 8:25pm wearing the purple-blue nehru jacket, a red long-sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans. His voice was in top form and the audience was very enthusiastic, dancing and screaming. Paul mentioned several times that Sacramento was a great audience. "Sacramento, we've come to Rock you tonight," he said as the crowd went crazy.

For the intro to "Something" Paul said, "...in fact, George gave me this one [holds up the ukelele], a Gibson. "[crowd cheers] "Little did he know that later, in Sacramento, it would get a round of applause!"

People on the main floor were holding up signs and Paul mentioned trying to concentrate on his performance and being distracted by signs that he has to read. He spotted a sign which he read, "My mom saw you in Chicago in 1964!" He made a reference about age which erupted in laughter from the audience.

He also sang a quick rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Mike (Lavallee who was 22) and dedicated it to everyone who had a birthday that day.

He made a "flub" when did the intro to "Michelle." He said that John being 1 1/2 years older, seemed a lot older when he was seventeen. Then he repeated it forgetting that he just said it. He laughed at himself about it.

For the west coast concerts Paul has resurrected his Marie Callendar story for the intro to "Driving Rain" that he used on the last leg. He talked about drivng in his black covertte with Heather along Pacific Coast Highway and stopping at a restaurant called Marie Callender's.

Rusty did his usual fall onto his back during "Live and Let Die."

Paul came over to Rusty during a guitar solo, and he sang, "Watch out, watch out..." while away from the microphone.

Signs in the audience: "We Love Heather!" (there were several), "Sharon Loves Paul" which was shown on the screens during "Hey Jude" and acknowledged by Paul with a thumbs up during "My Love." Sharon by the way got one of the two albums Paul signed. Her husband got the other one! A White album and a Sgt. Pepper's album. "LOVE THAT HOFNER!" to which Paul said, when Hammel dropped the bass, "did you just see what almost happened?"

Heather was in the photo pit on Rusty's side for most of the show. She showed up right before "Your Loving Flame," left around "Maybe I'm Amazed," and came back in time for "Live and Let Die."

During "Freedom" Paul noticed Heather and her sister Fiona dancing in the pit on Rusty's side. So he came over to share the microphone with Rusty to sing to them. He also came out waving the American flag over her head and saying in a high pitched voice, "We Love Heather" mocking the audience signs.

During the encore a woman up in front was flashing the cameraman. He came over and got her on video.

When Paul tossed his famous Hofner to personal assistant John Hammel after, "I Saw Her Standing" it appeared that John almost missed the catch because he caught it by the strap and the bottom of the bass actually hit the floor. Paul put his hand over his mouth and said "Oops!" and laughed but seemed visibly pale and stunned. The audience gasped when the Hofner hit the floor. John looked like he was gonna fall over and die. Paul shook his finger at John as if to say, "You better not do that again!" Hammel was so shook up, that he forgot to turn Paul's bass amp off and guitar amp on for "Yesterday" and had to run back on stage just before Paul began the song! To avoid any more disasters, after "Sgt. Pepper/The End," Paul gingerly handed his Gibson Les Paul to John Hammel, instead of standing it up and making John rush to catch it.

October 19 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome

Paul was seen about 12:30pm exiting the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle on his way to lunch. He stopped his limo for a group of fans waiting outside the hotel and signed autographs for everyone.

Heather did an INC fashion show presentation at Bon Marche department store in downtown Seattle at 1pm where she received a $10,000 check for her "Adopt-A-Minefield" charity. Paul was not in attendance.

The band checked out of the Four Seasons Hotel in the late afternoon and stopped to sign autographs for fans in the lobby. Thirty minutes after the band left in vans for the Tacoma Dome, (around 4:00pm), Paul was ushered through an underground passageway that connected the hotel to it's garage. Fans waited outside the exit of the garage and saw Paul get into the limo with Heather. Paul rolled down the window and waved but did not stop as he passed the fans. With a police motorcycle escort his limo still had to stop at a light and he rolled down his window to talk to fans waiting there. He pointed to Rick Glover's (Beatlefan) "Fans on the Run" sign and said, "Good show mate! Thanks for the sign," and gave him the thumbs up! At the venue ramp he rolled down the window waving along with Heather to the fans but did not stop.

Paul's limo arrived at the venue at 5:25pm and he rolled down the window and waved to fans there but did not stop.

Songs heard at the sound check: "Coming Up," "Let It Be," "Blackbird," "Calico Skies," "You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight," and "Lady Madonna."

Paul wore a black jacket with satin lapels, a long sleeved red T-shirt and well-fitting dark slacks. He played for a capacity crowd of over 17,000 and vocally was in good shape with little signs of strain from performing the night before in Portland.

"Oh, Tacoma, See-AT-tle, we have come to rock you tonight," he said to the standing, cheering crowd who kept their enthusiasm throughout the show.

After "All My Loving" he said, "Oh yeah, oh yeah! I get the feeling we're gonna have a good time here tonight." He also did a lot of "Yee HA's" during the show.

When Paul introduced, "Here Today," the song he wrote about an imaginary conversation with the late John Lennon, he said, "I think sometimes you don't always say what you mean to say to people in life." And when he finished the intro he said, "Let's hear it for John." The crowd went crazy and cheered for what seemed to be a very long time.

There was polite applause when he dedicated "Your Loving Flame" to his lovely Lady Heather, contrasted by cheers when he mentioned writing "My Love" for Linda.

For his introduction to "Something" he said, "I don't know how many of you know George was a really serious ukulele player." Then he mentioned about George belonging to the George Formby fan club. A fan yelled out in recognition of Formby. Paul said sarcastically, "There's always ONE person who knows George Formby."

Paul did his usual massage story but when he talked about the masseuse from New Orleans he adopted a southern "N'orleans" accent. Something he started doing in New Orleans.

For "Freedom" there was a smattering of American and Canadian flags.

Rusty did his fall at the end of "Live and Let Die" and during "Freedom" Paul walked over to Rusty's microphone to sing vocals with him.

Signs at the show: "PAUL SHOW US YOUR TOES! " Paul replied, "No! THESE toes are staying in THESE shoes tonight!" He also read, "Paul today is my Mom's 50th birthday, Please say "happy birthday Gloria," Paul sang a speeded up version of "Happy Birthday" to Gloria. "Burbank 3 ROCK!" acknowledged by the band.

Paul signed a few items before he left the stage. He and the band flew back to Los Angeles after the show. Some of Paul's road crew were wearing T-shirts that said on the back, "Today is Barrie's Birthday!" (Barrie Marshall from Marshall Arts) To find out why click here.

October 18 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden Arena

Macca arrived around 6:15pm waving to about 30 fans. There was no police escort. He and the band were staying at the Four Seasons in Seattle and flew there after the show.

Paul wore the purple-blue nehru jacket, the red long-sleeved T-shirt and dark charcoal slacks. The crowd was very enthusiastic throughout the show. Paul was in great voice. The show started at 8:35pm due to Paul arriving late and the show ended at 11:35pm.

The venue was very strict about bring in posters and banners and made people check them before they entered the venue. Because of that , there were few posters that made it in. Paul's video crew had a hard time finding any banners or posters to show on the video screen during "Hey Jude." Consequently, Paul didn't say his usual story about reading signs in the audience. Instead he mentioned seeing a lot of cells phones and joked that people used to scream at concerts and now they talk on their cell phones and hold them up for others to hear the show. He scolded some cell phone users by saying, "Here I am struggling to remember all the lyrics, and you are out there phoning up your Mum--think I didn't notice?"

For the intro to "Blackbird" Paul said, "In England we call girls, birds. Sometimes we call them other things too!"

When Paul took off his jacket, he did it so quickly that Rusty that couldn't finish the few bars of the "Stripper" song. So he stopped abruptly and Paul looked at Rusty and said, "Can't take him anywhere."

He called the crowd, "Ore-gonians."

Paul talked about massages and being on tour in Japan, pausing to say, "No, not on THAT occasion" (in reference to his drug bust in 1980). The crowd cheered in support of recreational drugs.

"I get the feeling you're still ready to rock, am I right, Portland?" Paul said before he launched into "Lady Madonna."

Linda edged out Heather with the louder and longer applause when Paul did their dedications.

There were not that many American flags visible during "Freedom" possibly because of the venue's no banners policy. Paul called Rusty over to share his microphone to sing harmonies during the song.

Heather and her sister were seen dancing together in the photo pit. Heather left just before Paul sang "My Love" and came back. They showed her on the the screen singing along to "Hey Jude."

A poster that made it in: "Portland [heart symbol] Paul!" Paul acknowledged the sign by pointing to it.

Paul autographed a rolled up poster from someone in the 5th row and had to throw it quite hard so it would reach the owner.

Paul left in the tour bus right after the concert for the airport with an escort of five police on motocycles. He flew to Seattle.

October 15 - Oklahoma City, OK - Ford Center

Paul's limo arrived with police escort at the Ford Center around 5:20pm. The car passed one ramp and entered the area behind the Ford Center where about 30-50 fans were waiting. Paul waved but the limo did not stop. He was talking on the cell phone to radio station KRXO. The band signed autographs at the hotel and Paul was seen there but did not stop to sign for people.

Macca did not perform "Press" as fans were hoping. His set list was the same.

Paul wore the purple-blue nehru jacket, long-sleeved red T-shirt and blue jeans.

Abe did his introduction by singing a bit of "Oklahoma" from the musical of the same name "O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A."

Paul referred to the audience as "Oklahomans."

For the intro to "Your Loving Flame" Paul said, "This for someone very special who is in the house tonight. It's the first song I wrote for her. My lovely Lady Heather."

Signs in the audience: "13 Shows-Bankrupt (but blessed)," "Oklahoma Was Never Like This." "No McDonalds" with the golden arches and a slash through it. Paul looked at it and laughed.

In general the OK audience rocked, while the majority of the audience sat and enjoyed the show. For the intro to "Hey Jude" Paul mentioned that there might be a bit at the end of the next song that the OK audience might want to singalong to. "You've all been so quiet so far," he added.

Paul did a "kick" during "I Saw Her Standing There" for the benefit of someone in the front row and made an amusing expression when he did it.

Instead of tossing the Les Paul guitar to John Hammel (who failed to catch it in New Orleans), Paul gently laid it flat in John's hands and bowed to him as he handed it over.

When he left the stage someone threw him a bouquet of McCartney roses which he smelled and seem very pleased about. He tossed the bouquet to Heather in the photo pit. He signed several vinyl album covers.

(click to watch video clip from concert)

October 13 - Houston, TX - Compaq Center

A group of twelve fans gathered at the hotel and a Paul's limo came out of the underground garage between 5:30pm and 5:45. He stopped the car and signed for two of the fans holding signs that read, "Famous Groupies" and "Texas Girls Want To Scream and Shout!" One of the things he signed was a "Linda in Yellow" lithograph of his painting.

The Houston audience rocked. Paul wore a red sport jacket, red T-shirt and black jeans.

A surprise addition to the set list was "Midnight Special" performed without announcement before "Michelle." It was added just for Texas because of the mention of "Houston" in the lyrics.

An Atlanta fan who got tickets from Heather held up a sign to thank her that read, " Heather is all! {heart symbol)" which showed up on the video screen. Paul saw it and motioned to Heather to look at it and then gave the fan a thumbs-up. Heather was present for the first couple of songs, left and came back at the end of the concert.

Sign in the audience : "WENT VEGGIE AFTER NEW WORLD TOUR" to which Paul gave the thumbs up.

Heather was in the pit with her sister Fiona bopping to "I Saw Her Standing There" and mouthing the words to "Yesterday." When Paul passed her to leave the stage for the encore he answered something she said to him in joking anger and did a little dance.

October 12 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena

Paul arrived at the venue around 5pm and waved to the 25+ fans waiting. The limo did not stop. He had flown to New Orleans right after the Columbus show and mentioned being at a bar the night before his New Orleans show and seeing former Wings saxophonist, Thaddeus Richard playing in the bar band. Thaddeus Richard made a guest appearance during "Lady Madonna" and Paul played an extended version of ths song so Richard could do a sax solo.

He wore the purple-blue nehru jacket, red T-shirt and dark grey pin-striped pants.

During "Blackbird" a woman held up a sign and Paul mentioned about having to read the signs he sees in the audience. He read it out loud, "My mom saw you in Chicago, blah, blah, blah....ha, ha."

Paul messed up the lyrics to "Here Today" but corrected himself by repeating the verse with the right lyrics. He started off wrong for "Maybe I'm Amazed," stopped the song and started over again. In spite of the mistakes he was in good voice.

He told an extended version of the "massage story" which highlights one "dodgy" massage he got while on tour in New Orleans (1993).

John Hammel failed to catch Paul's Les Paul guitar after "The End" and dropped to the stage floor horrified. The other band members and audience seemed to be in shock. The only one who was not upset was Paul who hugged John and laughed. He said this was the first time ever that his faithful assistant dropped the guitar.

n spite of Paul's voice being so good, he did have a couple of mistakes. He messed up a line in Here Today but recovered by repeating the line with the correct lyrics. Later he started Maybe I'm Amazed and stopped the song after the first line and said he would start again.

October 10 - Columbus, OH- Value City Arena/Jerome Schottenstein

Paul waved to the 50 fans waiting when he limo arrived at the venue around 6:05pm. He came directly from the airport and didn't stop when he came into the venue but he did drive by the fans slowly with the window down. Two women standing together held signs: one read "FREE" and the other said "MASSAGE." Paul got a kick out of reading those signs.

Heard at the soundcheck: "Lady Madonna," "C Moon," "My Love," and "Driving Rain" (a slowed down, alternative version!)

Heather made it to the show late, after flying in from her INC fashion event in Atlanta.

Because of Paul's late arrival, souncheck ran late and fans were not let into the seating areas until 7:15p.m.

The preshow began at 8:15pm. One of the large balloons that is carried out from the back of the arena got loose and floated up into the rafters.

Paul wore his purple-blue Nehru jacket, with white lining, a red long-sleeved t-shirt and Levi's 501 blue jeans, with black shoes. The rest of the band was dressed all in black.

Paul greeted the audience by saying "Hey, Columbus! OOOOO-HIIIIIOOOO!! We have come to rock you!" He later referred to the audience as "Columbians." Paul said "I have never been here before..maybe I should come back!!"

When Paul took his jacket off, Rusty and Abe played strip-tease music and Paul reprimanded them for it!

Paul's voice was exceptionally good throughout the show. He didn't hit a bad note all night. The crowd was enthusiastic in the beginning of the show, which Paul and Rusty both commented on. However they sat for the acoustic set and didnt seem to wake up till after "Freedom."

He was talked about reading signs in the audience and mentioned, "here's one that says, 'Say Happy Birthday' and another that says 'Say hello to my Aunt Mary.'"

During a break in the acoustic set, someone shouted "We Love You Paul" and he shouted back "I Love YOU!!!"

The women with the "Free Massage," signs moved up the aisle to the front where Paul acknowledged them and said "Well, c'mon then!" and teasingly motioned with his hand for them to come over. When Paul told his "dodgy massage" story, he said he hoped the guy from New Orleans heard it, because that was where they were playing next!

Before "Here Today" someone threw a rose on stage and Paul picked it up, sniffed it, and then raised it over his head. He had to wait to begin the song, because the audience response to "Let's hear it for John!" was so enthusiastic.

After "Something" Paul told the audience that George had given him the ukukele and he held it up over his head. The crowd cheered and Paul said, "That's the first time a ukulele received a round of applause! I'm sure George would've liked that."

Your Loving Flame" was introduced as "the first song I wrote for my new lady, Heather." He stumbled a bit on the introduction dragging it out. Heather had not yet arrived from Atlanta.

He got very emotional during "My Love" and had tears in his eyes which were plainly seen on the video screen. He remained quite emotional after the song ended.

During "Freedom" the banner that drops from the ceiling failed to unfold completely, and the last six feet or so stayed rolled up through the song.

During "Hey Jude" Paul and the band got mixed up and at one point Paul sang "let her into your heart," while the band was singing "let her under your skin." Heather was seen standing up front, and was on the big screens waving her hands, holding glowsticks and swaying during the part where the audience joins in. While the crowd was singing the "nah-nah-nah" chorus, Paul was singing "OHIO-HIO-HIO!!" along to the beat of the song. "Hey Jude" was shortened, ending as if Paul was rushing to get offstage. He did his normal "You were great!" and "You were fantastic" at the song's end. Someone in the front held two roses up to him and took them and handed them right to Heather in the pit.

For the encore, Paul came out carrying the American flag and Wix had an Ohio flag. They dragged the flags over people in the audience

When Paul came back after for the last set he struck a boxer pose, shadow boxing, with coach Wix encouraging him.

At the end of the show people were throwing albums onstage to be signed but Paul did not have a pen and made a writing movement with his hand to show that he had nothing to write with. Someone noticed and threw a pen. Paul got very confused as to whose album he was signing. He wanted to make sure the album got to the rightful owner. He asked people who owned what album taking his time to toss it back and even shrugging at one point when he threw one back. He signed three albums ("Wingspan," "Ram" and "Wings At The Speed Of Sound") walking back and forth across the stage looking for something more interesting to sign until he noticed a yellow tour shirt which he signed and threw it back to the owner.

Paul's entourage left the arena at 11:20p.m. It consisted of a black limo, a black Lincoln town car, a tour bus, 3 cargo vans and 4 police motorcycles. They took Paul 20 miles away, on I-270 East, to a back "air cargo" entrance at the Port Columbus International Airport. At a small, out of the way terminal called "Million Air," there was a private plane waiting for Paul and his entourage. There were about 10 fans waiting at the terminal and 3 cars that followed the motorcade to the airport. Paul was driven through the gate, past the fans and did not stop or roll down the window. The motorcade passed through the locked gate, leaving the fans outside yelling for Paul. The assumption was that Paul flew into that terminal earlier in the day, then flew directly to New Orleans that night, and did not stay at any hotel while in Columbus.

Congrats to Don Krueger on the "Wingspan" autograph!!!!

October 9 - St. Louis, MO - Savvis Center

Paul's limo arrived 5:20pm at the venue coming down a one-way street the wrong way. Police had closed off the street and the limo was escorted by two police on motorcyles. Macca greeted the 50+ fans with a wave and a thumbs up, but didn't stop. He had flown in that afternoon. The band arrived the day before and signed autographs at the Ritz Carlton Hotel around 4pm.

Paul's security relocated some lucky people in the nosebleed seats to the front row.

Paul played to a packed house of 15,000 at the Savvis Center wearing a red sport jacket, a red and green collage T-shirt with an Italian theme with the the Tower of Pisa printed on it and blue jeans. The preshow started late at 8:20pm.

After "All My Loving" he said, "Today is John's birthday so we're going to party!"

After "Coming Up," Paul announced, "We have an Elvis sighting in the audience tonight!"