Update (11/19/02) From Claudio Dirani:
Kaiser Music plans to bring McCartney to Brazil (Kaiser is a beer company here in Brazil that brought Rush to play three shows this month)
Folha de S. Paulo Newspaper, 11/18/2002: I'll translate the interesting bits: "Among names in Kaiser's Music agenda are Aerosmith, U2 and Paul McCartney, plus Radiohead..". Here's the original bit from the newspaper:Entre os nomes que fazem parte dos planos estão Aerosmith, U2 e********* Paul McCartney**********, além do Radiohead, que é considerada uma banda de porte médio, por atrair um público de cerca de 10 mil pessoas. O grupo, ao contrário dos outros citados, nunca se apresentou antes por aqui. Segundo Júlio Pedro, as negociações para uma turnê brasileira desses artistas ainda não foram iniciadas.
O orçamento para o Kaiser Music do ano que vem está estipulado em R$ 190 milhões e prevê ainda valorização de eventos envolvendo grupos nacionais e um concurso de bandas para revelar novos nomes no cenário nacional. É possível também que Belo Horizonte seja incluída como quarta praça, junto com São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Porto Alegre. Here's a translation of the above via Babelfish:Between the names that are part of the plans is Aerosmith, U2 and ********* Paul McCartney **********, beyond the Radiohead, that is considered a band of average transport, for attracting a public of about 10 a thousand people. The group, in contrast of the cited others, never was presented before for here. According to Júlio Peter, the negotiations for one turnê Brazilian of these artists had still not been initiated. The budget for the Kaiser Music of the year that comes is stipulated in R$ 190 million and still foresees valuation of events involving national groups and a competition of bands to disclose new names in the national scene. It is possible also that Belo Horizonte is enclosed as fourth square, together with São Paulo, Rio De Janeiro and Porto Alegre.
Update (11/15/02) From Mari Nakita:
My Japanese friends told me that they met Paul and the band members at the backyard in the hotel. Two of my girlfriends have been staying at the same hotel where Paul and the band stay in Tokyo for last couple of days! It must cost a lot of money but they are happy they met PAUL today! Unfortunately, taking pictures are strictly prohibited, they say, so they couldn't take any pictures of Paul when they met him but the memory will live forever! Here is something for you to listen, only when you have time. I love this website: http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~katsuyuk/midi33.htm The Beatles forever! Peace & Love!
For the week ending 11/23, Paul had the top three grossing concerts in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix. (Thanks to Leo Teunissen.)
Daily Yomiuri: Paul shows he's still alive Update (11/14/02)
Channel News Asia: Japanese fans have unforgettable night at Paul McCartney concert Update (11/13/02)
Added a review of Tokyo.
Paul gave a group of 16 Japanese high school students a quick English lesson, reports IC Liverpool. He invited them, and two teachers, who use Beatles songs to study English, to his Tokyo concert, met them backstage before his show, and gave them a special English lesson in which they all sang ''Yesterday.'' The students had sent an email inviting Paul to their school.
IC Liverpool: Macca mania (Tokyo arrival story)
From Maki Narita:
Hi,
My Japanese friends were at the Narita International Airport welcoming Paul and Heather in Tokyo, Nov.9, There were more than 2,000 fans trying to see Paul and Heather! Lot of flashes, video recording, screaming as usual! The first Japanese concert at Tokyo Dome was held on Nov.11. This is the website, Paul and Heather greeting Japanese fans at the airport. They say that the concert was just GREAT!! Thanks to my Japanese friend who sent me this website: http://internetgreetings.com/paul-heather-japan.html.Update (11/10/02)
Photos of Paul and Heather arriving in Tokyo: here, here and here.
More photos of Paul in Tokyo: here and here.
Photo search of Paul photos
(Thanks for today's links to Maria-Ofelia Croes, joeltle515@aol.com and Trini Schultz.)
Update II (11/9/02) Paul told Sky News he'll tour the UK next year, playing some small venues in addition to big ones.
Update (11/8/02)
The Billboard concert grosses chart for the week ending 11/16 shows the San Jose McCartney concert in first with $1,892,330, followed by McCartney concerts in Portland, Ore., Anaheim, Ca., and Sacramento, Ca. (Thanks to Leo Teunissen.)
From Claudio Dirani:
Press To Web is saying that the show in Spain is almost confirmed. According to the Benidorm's mayor, the contract still have to be signed in London at Savoy Hotel.
Comment: The report appears to indicate it will be May 23.Update (11/7/02)
Added new reviews for Mexico
Oregon Live: Back fence (Macca item is second one down) Update (11/6/02)
Added new reviews for Los Angeles and Mexico
Dotmusic: Macca makes millions Update (11/5/02)
Paul is considering taking his tour to Europe, reports NME.com. (C'mon, Paul, just say you will....) As we've reported in the past, he also hopes to do a concert in Moscow's Red Square, as well. (Thanks to Barbara Pazmino.)
Added new reviews for Los Angeles and Mexico.. We now can proudly say we have reviews from every city on the second leg of the tour, as well as the first leg. (Thanks to everyone who sent us reviews.) We'll be glad to take more reviews, so if you want the world to know how you felt about seeing Paul, write away!
Photos from Mexico: here and here.
(Thanks for links to Maria Ofelia Croes.)Update (11/4/02)
New reviews for Mexico. (And we could still use a review from Los Angeles. You could have the L.A review space all to yourself right now!)
The Oz fallout continues to fall, especially now that the McCartney camp has clarified its reasons for the postponement. In an interview with the Australian Sunday Telegraph, McCartney spokesman Geoff Baker said that in addition to the terrorism situation, Paul was disappointed he was unable to play Sydney, a favorite stop on past tours, because of the exclusivity deal with Melbourne. "To tell you the truth, Paul didn't just want to play Melbourne. He wanted to play Sydney too," Baker told the newspaper. "He's done some of the best concerts I've ever seen in Sydney. We will be back." Baker also defended the postponement of the Melbourne show. "To play Can't Buy Me Love, Live and Let Die, Jet . . . we couldn't do it. It would have been the most insensitive thing we could ever have done. People have pointed out that Paul did the New York tribute concert after September 11, but that was a set list deliberately put together to be suitable for the occasion. The show we were bringing to Australia is made up of 36 songs that are predominantly upbeat, joyous celebrations of rock 'n' roll and having a fun party – and we felt it was inappropriate to do that show at this time. Whether parents or relatives of kids killed in Bali were at the show or not, or reading reviews or seeing footage of us . . . after the tragedy Australia has been through, we just didn't think it was the right thing to come there and play that concert. This is a totally emotional response, and it's very typical of Paul – what's wrong with that?" Baker said an Australian tour is being negotiated for early next year.
Australian Daily News: Macca's no show: listen to what the man said
Meanwhile, the Driving Mexico tour got underway. From Manuel Borja:
This is Manuel Borja from La Caverna Radio Show in Monterrey Mexico. A Mexican newspaper had a good article today about the first McCartney show in Mexico City. It has a very good gallery of pictures. The note says that Paul dedicated the song "Heather" to his wife, however I am unable to confirm it at this moment. Maybe the person who write the article had a mistake. I'll try to send you as soon as posible the reviews of a very good friend of mine who'll attend the concert tonight.
The note also stated that the Preshow was there, 35 songs and many screens all over the stage, just as in the Back in the US leg. McCartney told some things to the audience in Spanish and sang "tres conejos" (from the Liverpool oratorio) remembering his school years in Liverpool when he was learning Spanish.
So, the next is the link to the article and the second is the link to the gallery of pictures: http://www.reforma.com/espectaculos/articulo/242213/
http://www.reforma.com/galeria_de_fotos/013657/default.aspphotos of paul arriving in Mexico........ http://www.reforma.com/galeria_de_fotos/013657/default.asp?NoPagina=1&cob=
photos of paul's show in Mexico......... http://www.reforma.com/galeria_de_fotos/013657/default.asp?NoPagina=10&cob=
More Paul in Mexico photos: http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/!PH2_FOTOGALERIA.detalle_galeria?p_galeria=253
Notimex: RECUERDA MCCARTNEY A SUS AMIGOS LENNON Y HARRISON ESTE DIA DE MUERTOS El Universal Online: Llega McCartney a México (article in Spanish)
Click On Detroit: Aussie Fans Livid Over Paul McCartney Cancellation
McCartney in Mexico photos
Patti Murawski sent us this suggestion to avoid problems with Ticketmaster in the future:
Just a few thoughts on Ticketmaster problems posted recently... No consolation really, and I would be upset too...however...
If you have to update your online account info with Ticketmaster or Tickets.com, be sure to do it at least twenty-four hours BEFORE the on sale, and if the on sale is on a weekend, make sure it's done by Wednesday night or Thursday of that week. I had to update mine at one point and there is a disclaimer somewhere on their pages, about the 24 hours for the info to catch up with them; you would think it's instantaneous, but apparently it's not. The other thing is that if Ticketmaster is calling you about addresses not matching, you should call your credit card company immediately to ensure that someone hasn't stolen your credit card number and attempting identity theft. Addresses that don't match, especially if you haven't moved recently, can be one of the first tips that your card number has been stolen.
(Thanks to Maria-Ofelia Croes, Greg Swan, Claudio Dirani, Trini Schultz, Ian Snow and amaryll for today's links.) Update (11/2/02)Billboard.com predicts the just-ended North American McCartney tour broke many box office records and will be one of the top grossing tours of the year. "I suppose some people would balk at [ticket prices], but no one who has come to the show wants their money back," McCartney told Billboard. The tour now moves on to Mexico, then to Japan, the site of his infamous 1980 marijuana bust. "I'll be better prepared this time," he says. "I know how to pack now." The tour is rumored to hit Europe next year. (Thanks to Craig Pospisil and Trini Schultz.)
Meanwhile, reaction to the Melbourne cancellation continues. In an interview with the Australian newspaper The Age, McCartney spokesman Geoff Baker said, "The only reason, the entire reason why the concert was postponed is that Paul thought it would be inappropriate, highly insensitive, to stage what is a very joyous, happy rock show at a time when there as so much grief in Australia." Asked if Paul and his entourage canceled the show because of the threat of terrorism, Baker answered, "That is the biggest load of bollocks of all. If that were the case, do you think he would be playing to crowds of 60,000 in the States?" Baker said Paul knew the decision wouldn't please Australian fans. "But Paul would much rather be in this situation than to be seen as in any way being insensitive towards people who are suffering so much grief." And he reiterated that the concert had not been cancelled, only postponed.
Jody Denberg's May interview with Paul is now available here. (Scroll down the page.)
Billboard.com: McCartney Tour Breaks Box-Office Records Update II (11/1/02) Victorian Major Events Company chairman Steve Vizard called Paul's decision to cancel his Australian shows both a "pain in the arse" and a mystery, given the strong ticket sales, reports the Age. "We're nonplussed as to why he would cancel or postpone and certainly why he would use Bali as a rationale," Vizard told a local radio station. He refused to comment on reports that McCartney wanted $12 million for two shows. "The Victorian Major Events Company doesn't negotiate those things and frankly if someone wants to pay him $12 or $20 or $50 million then that's their business. Our deal was really very particular. We'll put up a certain amount of money if you do it only in Melbourne." Vizard also said he was disappointed in the decision to cancel because it was made without a discussion with the organizers. "I'm disappointed because I didn't understand the decision, and because they made the decision without getting the full information (from) the people they are supposed to be working with - the promoter, us, and the stadium. It's incredibly disappointing, given the work we did," he told the Age.
The Age: Questions remain over McCartney no-show
The Age: Sir Paul's decision 'a pain'
Herald-Sun: McCartney wanted $12m for concerts Update (11/1/02) The Herald-Sun newspaper, maybe reflecting the anger of locals in the cancellation of Paul's Australian show, carried a story headlined "McCartney wanted $12m," which stated Paul was asking a $6 million guarantee for two concerts in Melbourne. The paper quoted an unnamed industry insider saying, "Paul McCartney wanted a figure in excess of $US6 million for coming down here, and getting those numbers was impossible without doing two shows." The story also claimed Paul gets angry if shows don't sell out. (Thanks to Trini Schultz.)
In the Billboard concert charts for the week ending 11/9, Paul's Houston and New Orleans ranked 4th and 5th for the week. Two shows by Billy Joel and Elton John took the first two places. (Thanks to Leo Teunissen.)
Herald-Sun: McCartney wanted $12m for concerts Update (10/31/02)
Added new reviews to San Jose, Cleveland and Phoenix.
Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, attended the Los Angeles show. Karen Dyson emailed us this: A few people noticed him, and made noise.Ozzy raised his hands up.....then he got up, and stood with his arms outstretched. The crowd cheered on. Once in a while the light was right on him during the show (he was straight back from the stage...) Cindy took a peak at him with the binocs....he was in Ozzyland...staring into space....earlier we watched him while he took a sip of his soda....then placing it every so slowly down in front of him. Then he proceeded to stare at it......
Paul's interview with San Jose disc jockey Greg Kihn is now on their website. (Thanks to Trini Schultz.)
Victorian Major Events boss Steve Vizard criticized Paul's decision to cancel his Australian concert saying, "This is not the response a lot of other artists would have had. A lot of artists would see this as an opportunity for business as usual, an opportunity for solidarity, unity and not giving in," reported the Herald-Sun. Vizard also characterized McCartney's response as "not logical" and "slightly irrational."
Herald-Sun: Pleas fail on Sir Paul
SMH.com: How family advised Paul to let time heal
Courier-Mail: Yesterday's fans turn to Macca attackers Update (10/30/03)
Added new reviews for Anaheim.
From Tony Vournazos:
Regarding Suzanne Magerlein's ticket woes, the only other thing I can think of is whether she recently renewed or upgraded her credit card, thus creating a new expiration date. My heart goes out to anyone who had their tickets snatched away from them. I would urge anyone with a Ticketmaster account to try and remember to update your info whenever you move or renew your credit card.
Los Angeles Times: McCartney doesn't mess with success (Thanks to Claudio Dirani). Update (10/29/02) The Herald-Sun reported security or poor ticket sales were not a concern in the cancellation of Paul's Australian concert. Victorian government authorities say negotiations for another date are planned. "We will negotiate with him to see if we can find another date in the future," said Victorian premier Steve Bracks. The Age. reported almost 30,000 tickets sold for the Nov. 23 and plans were reportedly underway for a second show even though first show sales were not as strong as hoped. (Thanks to Ian Swan and Trini Schultz.)
From Suzanne Magerlein:
Steve,
I just read on your site about the couple whose seats were cancelled by Ticketmaster. A very similar thing happened to me for the Chicago show back in September, but I think mine was even a bit odder! I purchased an extremely good seat (4th row mezzanine, right by the stage) on the first day tickets went on sale. I was thrilled! A couple of days later, I got a phone call on my voicemail saying the following: Hello, this is (mumble mumble) customer service. We're calling about your account. There is a problem with your account. If you do not call us back by 6:00 pm tomorrow night, your account could be cancelled. You can find our number in your local phone book or call our 800 number. Thank you. I had NO idea what this was about! They never mentioned "tickets" and they didn't give a number where they could be reached! I did a *69 on the number and got some outgoing only line in Virginia. It never even occurred to me that it could be Ticketmaster. But apparently it was. Two weeks later I got my credit card statement with a charge for $250 and a credit for $250! Very distraught, I called Ticketmaster and they said that my billing address for my credit card didn't match my mailing address. I had them read both addresses to me and they were identical. Then she (rather perkily) said "Oh! Well, that must not be it then! Maybe you've exceeded your credit limit?" I told them that was definitely not the case and she said "Well, it must have been SOMETHING!" That was all they could tell me. I didn't get to attend the show because they stole my ticket and sold it to someone else and then couldn't ! even tell me why. What a shameful way to run a business. I'm beginning to wonder if this is some kind of widespread Ticketmaster scam, that they're stealing people's tickets and black marketing them or something. I don't know, but the Seattle couple was certainly not the only ones to whom this has happened. Just thought I'd let you know. Keep up the good work!
Smh.com.au: Bali makes Macca a no-show The Weekend Australian: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,5370413%255E421,00.html (Thanks to Claudio Dirani.)
Update II (10/28/02): SPECIAL ANAHEIM SOUNDCHECK REPORT: The following info may not be used by other websites or publications without credit to Abbeyrd's Beatles Page: Matt Hurwitz attended the soundcheck for the Anaheim show Friday and gave us this report.
Geoff Baker and the band arrived around 4 p.m. Paul was due to arrive at 4:20 p.m. for the 4:30 taping of "Rockline." Publicist Paul Freundlich and his staff had gone outside to the fans waiting in the rain to get into the arena and selected about 15-20 surprise contest winners to watch the "Rockline" taping. Paul, however, was unfortunately delayed about an hour because of "driving in the driving rain" down from Los Angeles, some 35-40 miles away.
Upon arrival at 5:30 p.m., McCartney decided to delay the "Rockline" recording and proceed with soundcheck to allow the fans outside to come in on time for the concert at 6:30 p.m.
The contest winners were led out of the "Paul McCartney Lounge" backstage and brought into the empty arena and were treated to watching Paul and the band do their soundcheck. The band played several numbers for about 45 minutes, including "Matchbox" and "Honey Don't" (with a nice mention from Paul about Ringo and Carl Perkins), "C Moon" (which was also not in the set performed during the show), "Coming Up" and a couple of jam numbers. Paul joined the band, who had already begun warming up with a jam, at the beginning of the soundcheck and later introduced another jam to the small audience called "India." Paul happily acknowledged the cheers from the "groupette", as he called them, after each song.
After the soundcheck, it was at first announced that the "Rockline" recording would be cancelled, and the group of contest winners was dismissed. But a short time later, apparently, it was decided to go ahead and record the show and another audience was brought in.
Update (10/28/02)
Reaction to the postponement of the Australian show has, as you might expect, been met with disappointment -- and some criticism. Added new reviews for Las Vegas. We're always looking for your reviews from any of the gigs, but especially from Anaheim, since we have none now..
A not-so-pleasant night out: A Seattle couple found out at the Tacoma Dome will-call window that their tickets purchased in July for the Tacoma show had been cancelled by Ticketmaster because of a discrepancy between their credit card billing address and their mailing address, reported the Seattle Times. Ticketmaster had left a message on their phone only the day before, and when they didn't receive a call back, the couple's tickets were resold to someone else. The couple, who didn't want to pay premium prices for scalped tickets, also lost the $10 they'd just paid for parking. Ticketmaster refunded the full amount to the couple's credit card account, but a spokesman couldn't explain why it waited so long -- until the day before the concert -- to deal with the problem. A report from IC Wales says Paul is scouting Wales for concert venues. Publicist Geoff Baker (spelled "Jeff Baker" in the story) told the paper, "We are looking all over the place for venues and Wales would be fab but we don't just want to do the accepted places like Cardiff. We are also looking at smaller places, including some in North Wales. One of the greatest things about this tour has been playing new places - we played in Oklahoma and the welcome from the crowd was amazing."
And his upcoming concerts in Mexico will keep Paul from attending a dedication for a memorial he approved to his late wife Linda, reports the (UK) Daily Record. The paper carried a quote from an unnamed local blaming Heather for his not attending.
Reuters: McCartney Postpones Australia Show After Bali Bomb
Arizona Daily Republic: McCartney aide watches star handle fame's highs, life's lows (Geoff Baker interview)
News.com.au: McCartney cancels gig
CNN Europe: Bali grief cans McCartney concert
Orange Today: Paul McCartney postpones Australian concert
Ananova: McCartney postpones Australian concert (Thanks to Maria-Ofelia Croes, Evelyn Schwarz and Leo Teunissen for some of the links.)
Update II (10/27/02) Paul's Nov. 23 Australian show has been postponed out of respect for the family and friends of the recent bombing victims in Bali, reports ABC News Australia. From Paul's statement: "Like many who have a deep fondness for Australia, I have been shocked and saddened by the recent terrible events in Bali. My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this tragedy. As a mark of respect to both the families who have lost loved ones and to the families of the injured, I have decided to postpone my planned concert in Melbourne as this is not the appropriate time for a rock show. In time, that show will hopefully come to be. But for now, my sympathies and those of all of us on this tour are with you all in your grief." (Thanks to Jo Mac and franka.)
Update (10/27/02)Orange County Register: McCartney makes a welcome visit to Anaheim: Round 2 of Sir Paul at the Pond playing mostly Beatles songs - what's not to like? (Thanks to Trini Schultz.)
Update II (10/26/02)Herald-Sun: Win a Paul McCartney dream
Update (10/26/02)Added new reviews of Oklahoma City.
Some links to recent Paul interviews: http://www.eagle969.com/downloads/PaulMcCartney-Tom.mp3http://www.kmtt.com/realaudio/misc/102202_mccartney/102202_mccartney.ram http://www.literock969.com/audio/paulmccartney.mp3
http://www.bobandtom.com/gen3/guests.htm
From Rock Stamberg:
Thought you might be interested in this (read from the bottom up):
Yes, there is something coming for Apple DVD-ROM users and the first DVD to use it will be Sir Paul McCartney's "Back in the US" DVD. It will be a first step in enabling some new features on the Mac. I found this today on MacNN.com: http://www.macnn.com/news.php?id=17111 MacNN reader Bob Stobener has noted that Paul McCartney made a reference to Apple in a locally taped radio interview (the Eagle 969 interview linked above). "[I] just heard that Apple Mac users won't be able to access this [DVD] because the technology is different for the Mac. So, I got onto our guys and said 'Get on the phone. Start making inquires.' What's happened is they just sorted it so that Apple Mac will be able to do it. So we're like advancing Mac technology... there's something that an Apple Mac couldn't do, but now they can because of our DVD." A MP3 of the interview is available.
San Jose State Spartan Daily: McCartney shines at Compaq Center
Register-Guard: McCartney's help welcomed by campaign (Thanks to Hey Jude, Eric Harvigsen, Linda Thayer and Dave Persails for sending us links.)
Update (10/25/02)Added new reviews from San Jose, Portland and Tacoma.
In Billboard's chart of top concert grosses for the week ending Nov. 2 (already?), Paul McCartney has the top five grossing shows, led by Tacoma, Wash. with $2,325,855. The next four top grossing concerts: Columbus, Ohio, Oklahoma City, Indianapolis, Ind., and St. Louis, Mo. (Thanks to Leo Teunissen.)
Paul will pay tribute to Australian victims of the recent Bali nightclub bombing at his concert there, reports the Herald-Sun.
Australia's Herald-Sun is sponsoring a contest called the Ultimate Paul McCartney Experience. The winner (and a friend) get a trip to Tokyo to see Paul's concert there, a four-night trip to Liverpool, platinum class seats at Paul's Australian concert, along with a chance to meet Paul, accommodations and $1,000. Details are here. (Thanks to Trini Schultz.)
From Hey Jude:
Although I write this with only four shows left in the second leg of the US tour, I thought some folks might appreciate a detailed rundown of what the differences are between the programs from the first and second leg.
The cover is obviously different, with the new tour logo as seen everywhere. The inside front cover shot is the same, as is the next page with the red background and Paul's quote about touring. The next page features a new shot of the entire touring band, and then on the next page of course is the schedule for the second leg. This is followed by the same "new" Paul interview seen in the first leg program, the only difference being a few new photos here and there taken during the first leg of the tour. This is followed by the same band bios seen in the first leg program, again only with a few new photos here and there. This is followed by a new section titled "Driving You Insane", which is a four-page roundup of the first tour with more new photos, and written by Geoff Baker. Following that is a shot of Paul with the very short lyric reprint of a song called "No Rhyme." I can't remember if that was in the last tour program, I think a different one titled "Fly By Night" was there instead. There are some new advertisements from the tour promoters and places like Best Buy. The "What Paul has been doing since 1993" section is the same, except they've added small entries for the April/May 2002 US dates and the June 2002 Queen's Jubilee show, and of course some more new photos (including backstage photos from the first leg featuring Paul with various folks such as Brian Wilson, Jeff Lynne, Steven Tyler, and so on). The section on "Freedom" and the Concert for New York is the same. There seems to be one page with a new shot of Paul from one of the recent photo sessions. There is a new two-page section about the pre-show titled literally "What the **** Is This?" The one-page rundown on the stage setup and set design is the same, although they've put a real photo of the show on the page instead of the artist rendition that was found in the old program. The next page has a full page shot of Paul on stage with the video screen and the band. The PETA DVD ad is still there. The "Rear View Mirror" about past noteworthy Paul shows is the same. A new section highlights "Band Memories" from each band member, including Paul. The "Adopt A Minefield" page is the same, with a new added photo of Paul and Heather on the opposite page taken most likely during the first leg and showing them wearing their "No More Landmines" shirts. The Linda McCartney frozen dinner ad is still there, as is the "go veggie" page. The George Martin "Yesterday" manuscript section is still there, as is the Paul Du Noyer page-long essay. One page is devoted to an ad for the "Driving Japan" tour, as is a page for an ad for the Mexico dates. The page of "Driving Rain" reviews remains from the old program. The credits are once again near the end, as is a LIPA ad and Paul's "see you next time" message. The inside back cover is a new and slightly bizarre shot of Paul taken from behind him as he bends over the hood of the red t-bird (or whatever the car is). The back cover features simply the "Back in the US" album cover art, with a Capitol and MPL logo at the bottom. So is this worth another $25 if you own the program from the first leg? I don't know. I haven't calculated what percentage of the program is new, or whether this is thicker than the other program. As far as text, only 20-25% or so is probably new material. If you add in new photos and page layouts and whatnot, maybe 50% of it is new. But that's just a total guess. HeyJude's "Beach Boys Resource Page" - http://www.geocities.com/heyjude160
From Sylvia M. Giustina:
Steve,
You can find the KINK interview on their website. Paul talked with them while he was in Portland.
Seattle Times: Love, Paul
Update (10/24/02) Here's an exclusive report from Matt Hurwitz about a special screening held Wednesday in Hollywood. Note: This may not be copied or used on any other website or publication without credit to Abbeyrd's Beatles Page! :
There was a private screening of the "Back to the U.S." film Wednesday night at Archlight Cinemas in Los Angeles. It was mainly for tour staff and some Capitol Records folks. Paul and Heather were there, as was "Driving Rain" producer David Kahne (who also produced the music for both the "Back in the U.S." CD and DVD), "Back in the U.S." film producer/director Mark Haefeli (who brought his parents), actor Cameron Crowe, Rodney Bingenheimer and Paul's tour band. Brian Ray brought his mother, Abe Laboriel Jr. was there with his wife, Rusty Anderson arrived with "a bevy of beautiful women." Paul "Wix" Wickens was also there. There was a reception prior to the screening with vegetarian h'ors d'oeuvres. Matt Hurwitz, who attended the event, said the film is an "absolutely wonderful documentary about the experience of the tour, both from the view of the audience (many of you will spot yourselves in the film) as well as behind the scenes. For those who attended (along with those who weren't able to see the show), it's a perfect memento of the experience of being there." It totally blows away "Paul Is Live." It's a documentary about the tour and not a concert film. The full music performances can be heard on the "Back in the U.S". CDs, also coming out Nov. 26. The film accurately portrays something that fans never get to see: the family-like atmosphere that exists during the tour. It shows all of Paul's activities throughout the tour, including dealing with the press, soundchecks, lighting and sound techniciains and private time with Paul and Heather. (Included: Paul's meeting with apes in Georgia.)And seen in the film, unbeknownst to those of us who attended the shows, among the pre-show actors/dancers (many of whom were present at the screening, cheering each other when they came onscreen) were cameo appearances by many of the crew themselves, such as the travel manager, the tour accountant and -- publicist Geoff Baker. In the film press kit, guitarist Brian Ray noted Geoff, dressed in a "white clown suit, glasses over the mask, cigarette hanging from his mouth like Keith Richards. Bad clown before a crime spree." Particularly touching is a scene filmed at the closing show of the first leg. When Paul, attempting to sing "The Long and Winding Road," looks out into the audience and sees dozen of his tour crew holding up large cards with hearts on them, he's so overcome with emotion, he has difficulty singing the song.
Added new reviews for Cleveland.
Some notes relayed to us from a fan at the San Jose show: The show started late because sound check ran late, causing some grumbling from people in line. Paul looked terrific. He hung around a little on stage at the end and autographed articles, including "A Hard Day's Night" album. He was dressed in a blue demin suit with red t-shirt. He removed coat pretty quickly. He wore a "No More Land Mnes T-shirt for the encore.
In his latest letter on his website, Paul discusses how he's happy with the tour, the positive reactions to the new songs and his set improvisations (adding "Happy Birthday" to John and "Midnight Special".) He says the forthcoming tour DVD will link to a special website. And he also says whoever buys the 1,000,000th ticket (it'll be in Australia) will get a whole bunch of "goodies." (Thanks to Claudio Dirani.)
Herald-Sun: McCartney tickets still a mystery
Sacramento Bee: Paul takes Arco stage, brings back yesterday
Sacramento Bee: Fans still love McCartney at 60 -- and $250
(Thanks to Pam Hollingshead.) Update (10/23/02) New reviews added for Sacramento, New Orleans and Tacoma.
Paul was interviewed before the San Jose show Tuesday night by Greg Kihn of KUFX-FM radio. Yes, that's Greg ("Our Love's In Jeopardy") Kihn, who's now a morning drive time DJ for the station. Because he's a musician, Kihn occasionally has live in-studio jam sessions. One such session was with Laurence Juber. The McCartney interview was not online Tuesday night, but we'll put up the link when it is. (Thanks to Barbara Pazmino.)
Oregon Live: Only you, Paul (Thanks to Sylvia M. Giustina.) Update (10/22/02) New reviews added for Tacoma, Columbus and Portland-Tacoma.
You can find an audio interview by Paul by New Jersey station WFPG-FM (96.9) here. (Thanks to Barbara Pazmino.)
For those of you in the Anaheim area, some tix are apparently still available for the show at the Pond. Gene Bednarchik tells us he bought some club level seats Monday.
Enid News and Eagle: Yesterday, bifocals seemed so far away
KATU-TV: Paul McCartney to rock Rose Garden tonight
Edmonton Journal: That '90s kind of show destined for TV: Sir Paul to Offer Inside Glimpse of His U.S. Tour (second item from bottom)
Portland Insight: Sir Paul's visit could upstage painful memory
Hartford Courant article on HeraldNet: McCartney tour landing Seattle Post-Intelligencer: McCartney evokes Beatles with Tacoma concert
News Tribune: At 60, Sir Paul's fans still need him, feed him
The Mercury: Sir Paul's Pledge (Thanks for the links to Leo Teunissen, Dave Harper, Troy Taylor and Dave Wilson.) Update (10/21/02)
Reuters: Paul McCartney adds Aussie stop to international tour (picture)
Seattle Times: McCartney concert a celebration
Eugene Register-Guard: Polished musicianship leads nostalgia-driven Portland show (Thanks to Claudio Dirani, CD Harper, Dushi24, Dave Warren and Joey.) Update (10/19/02) From James Marien:
The new BEATLFAN is out (#138) and there's an interesting note at the end of the article on page 3 - 4. Rather than paraphrase, here's what it reads :
"AEG's Randy Phillips said that while 23 shows were booked, there were 'easily 40 out there, if we had the time'. And while Marshall indicated that additional touring after this fall leg likely will be internationsl, CCE's Brad Wavra raised the possibility of still another US leg". (Emphasis ours.)
And from Amanda Redecker:
Amanda's autographed copy of "Press to Play"
Hi Steve,
My friend and I thought that Paul said that Heather IS in the house tonight when he introduced Loving Flame, but we are not certain. I did not see her. When he arrived, he was talking on his cell phone and waved from the limo window. (Same as in Houston.) Many people had "Oklahoma was never like this" signs but he didn't take the hint and do Press. At the end of the last encore, he came over to the right side of the stage where some of us were holding albums. He gestured for us to throw them, so I did and my Press to Play landed near his feet. After he signed one or two items, he started to take off but saw my album and picked it up and signed it with someone's blue marker. He tossed it back out and it landed between the stage and the railing. A security guy handed it back to me. What can I say? I was ecstatic (and still am). I will attach a jpeg of the autograph. It seems to look OK under Explorer, but huge under Netscape, so I don't know if it will come through. Amanda
Seattle Times: Paul McCartney, always a class act, rocks on Update (10/18/02)
Someone has posted on Paul's website a story of running into Paul and Heather at Ralph's Market in Beverly Hills between Beverly Blvd. and Doheny Dr.
Added new reviews to Oklahoma City.
In the latest recap of the week's concerts on Billboard.com, Paul took the top five of the first six spots, with Paul's Fleet Center, Boston, concert taking the top spot, raking in $4,050,530.
In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Grace Slick said that she won't sing anymore "because I don't like old people on a rock 'n' roll stage." But for people like Paul and Mick Jagger, who continue to perform, "as long as they want to do it and they don't mind all the jokes made about them and people show up, sure, go on. But I don't feel comfortable lurching around on stage at age 63. I think that's silly." (Thanks to Trini Schultz and Maria-Ofelia Croes.)
Daily Oklahoman: Sir Paul pleases Ford Center fans
Daily Oklahoman: McCartney fans make up for lost time at city concert
Daily Oklahoman: Video link
(UK) Guardian: Home entertainment (Thanks to Trini Schultz, Claudio Dirani and Brian J. for links.) Update II (10/16/02) Added new reviews for Oklahoma City.
Adam Powell sent us this regarding Australian ticket prices:
I got this today from VISA preferred seating:
PaulMcCartney - On Sale Now to the Events Waitlist! Hello Adam,
Rock legend Sir Paul McCartney is adding a single concert in Australia to his 'Driving' Tour. The original Beatles performances only lasted half an hour, but this unforgettable concert will run for over two-and-a-half hours and include 36 songs! The repertoire will include a variety of Beatles songs plus hits from the Wings era and much more. As you have registered on the Events Waitlist, we are contacting you to give you priority access to see Paul McCartney live in concert. Tickets don't go on sale to the general public until Tuesday 22 October 2002, but don't line up at the box office - secure your tickets now. This is the only Australian concert on Paul McCartney's world tour - so don't miss out. The following seating categories are available through VISA Preferred Seating:
Diamond - $495
Platinum - $330
Gold - $192
Bronze - Not available through VISA Preferred Seating Be quick as tickets are strictly limited!
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: $250 for McCartney? It's enough to send fans on the run (Thanks to Dushi24 for the link.) Update (10/16/02)
Thanks to Greg Swan for the new Driving Oz graphic. (See right.) Added new reviews for New Orleans and Houston.
Another promo ad for Driving Oz (Thanks to Greg Swan.) Update (10/15/02) Added new reviews of Houston.
Realiza McCartney concierto en Houston
Houston Chronicle: Paul McCartney delivers night of legendary rock
Advocate Online: McCartney brings mixture of old, new to N.O. concert (Thanks to Leo Teunissen and Luis Enrique Inngais for the links.) Update (10/13/02) Added new reviews for Columbus.
Columbus Dispatch: Rock legend brings all his lovin' to Columbus crowd
The Oklahoman: Paul McCartney's appeal is timeless (Thanks to Claudio Dirani.) Update (10/12/02) Added new reviews of Hartford and St. Louis.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis concert review
Technician Online: Call him Sir Paul (Thanks to Jennifer Campbell.) Update II (10/11/02) From Adam Powell:
Hi Steve:
Just a small correction for your story about Paul's Driving Down Under Tour. It isn't the Australian Government that is having the election, but just the Victorian state election, which is a bit like having an election for State Governor in the USA basically. So Steve Bracks is the Premier (Governor) of the state of Victoria only and has no federal powers.
Comment: Thanks, Adam. We've added that to the item below, as well as your note here. Our apologies.
Update (10/11/02) Added new reviews of the St. Louis show.
With a few weeks to go before an election, the Victorian state government in Australia has refused to say how much money they've given to subsidize the upcoming McCartney concert in Melbourne, reports the Age. Premier Steve Bracks is hopeful the concert will reap $20 million for the area and attract 10,000 visitors. State Opposition Leader Robert Doyle criticised Bracks, saying Australians had a right to know the amount of taxpayer money being used. "This seems to me to be extremely odd," Doyle said. "I mean, we would all wish to have a major concert like that but I don't know why the Victorian Government is subsidising one of the richest men in the world." The government's decision to subsidise McCartney has angered local musicians and promoters, who say the government should be helping the domestic music scene.
More on the Melbourne show: Tickets go on sale Oct. 22. No prices have been announced. (Thanks to JoMac, Carmel Dilger and Ian Swan.)
Paul promotes the upcoming "Driving Down Under"/"Driving Oz" show in Melbourne (Thanks to Greg Swan.) The Associated Press reported that Paul McCartney, who was in the St. Louis area to perform a concert Wednesday night at Savvis Center, was invited to game one of the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals by Cardinals president Mark Lamping, but he was unable to make it.
For the week ending 10/19, Paul's United Center concert in Chicago was the highest grossing show, raking in $2,199,100, according to Billboard. Paul's Milwaukee and Hartford concerts placed fourth and fifth. (Thanks to Leo Teunissen.)
Sir Paul Calls Telstra Dome Home
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: With cochlear implant, Paul Girl hears everything from "Hello" to "Goodbye" (Thanks to Barb Siler.) Update (10/10/02) Added new reviews to Raleigh, N.C.
Australia's The Age reports the final stop on the Driving Rain tour will be Nov. 23 at Telstra Dome in Melbourne, Australia. The paper says it will be the only Australian date on the tour. This conflicts with previous info that said there would be two dates.
From Luis Enrique Inngais:
I send you a file with a button of anniversary Mexican club fan with seat at Mexico City, accomplished 18 years of foundation. I hope that you like it.
Riverfront Times: Let him be Update (10/9/02) Added new reviews for Raleigh, N.C..
From Jeff Slate:
Following up on the note regarding the Detroit Red Wings sticker on Paul's Epiphone Texan, it has been there since the 70s and can be seen clearly in the video for Tug Of War.
If anybody heard his response in the interview as to why it's on there I'd love to know. And if you like to see what a Texan looks like without the sticker, you can see my 1965 (I believe Paulie's is a '64) at http://www.digitalretro.com/65texan.jpg.From Gwen Craig:
Bob and Tom announced this morning (Tuesday) that, in response to many requests (mine among them), they will replay the interview with Paul between 9:00 and 10:00 Thursday morning, EST. The streaming audio is available on their website at www.bobandtom.com. As quoted on their site, during the interview Paul said to Bob Kevoian, "You know more about my life than I do!"
Update (10/8/02) Added new reviews for Hartford, Indianapolis and Cleveland.
From Kim L.:
My local station, in Philly, aired a 15 minute interview with Paul McCartney recorded a week ago in Atlantic City, NJ. It was on the morning after, during their Breakfast with the Beatles program. Anyhow, the audio is up on their website, http://www.wmgk.com/. Click on "WMGK Multimedia" then "Audio Files." It's broken up into four parts.
From John S. Damm:
In response to James Marien's request on FYE info, at the 10/05/02 Indianapolis concert, the fliers were not on our seats but were being handed out by the attendants stationed at the ramparts. I took one for my keepsake from the show(besides my ticket).
After the fantastic concert, attendants were handing them out as we left Conseco Fieldhouse but the vast majority of these ended up in the garbage cans. I can only wonder what Friends Of The Earth(who were a big part of Paul's 1989/1990 tour) would think of all the wasted paper just to plug this new release.
The concert is great and this new release will be worth every cent, but I wish Paul would not resort to this type of obnoxious marketing!
From Gwen Craig:
Paul was interviewed between his warmup and the show in Indy by Bob Kevoian, of Bob and Tom, the nationally syndicated morning show on WFBQ (Q95) in INdy. In an approximated 10 minute interview, played on the radio this morning, he said, among other things, that a 1-hour special on his tour would be televised on, I think, November 27. My tape recored malfunctioned, so you may want to check the facts with the station or the website at bobandtom.com . It was a great interview. Bob said that Paul was eating peanuts throughout, which was evident from the way he was talking, and he sounded very relaxed. Bob tried to ask him a question he had never been asked, which was 'When was the last time you mowed the grass?" Of course, Paul laughed and said he couldn't remember. He also asked him, as they ask all their guests, "What was the name of your first band?" He naturally answered, "THe Quarrymen" and Bob (a real Beatlephile) replied, "Yeah, and you missed your first performance, right?" Paul said he wasn't sure about that either! Earlier in the program, Bob and Tom were wondering why the acoustic guitar that Paul said he played on Ed Sullivan now has a Detroit Redwings sticker on it. I had been to the May 5 show in Detroit and had noticed it then. It was just before the Stanley Cup playoffs, and I'm betting that he has just left it on ever since.
And a request: A website reader in the U.S. is interested in getting tickets to the Japan shows. Can anyone tell us the best way?
Columbus Dispatch: A hard day's work: Critic lacks that certain quality to snag chat with Paul McCartney (Thanks to Barbara Pazmino.) Update (10/7/02) Added new reviews of Hartford, Atlantic City, the Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 Boston shows, and Indianapolis.
From Patti Murawski:
The flyers for FYE were left on the seats in Hartford and Atlantic City. Although the flyers were not distributed in Boston, the priority card was still for sale at the Boston shows. BTW the FYE outlet is also known as Sam Goody's.
While we are on the subject of merchandise, the program book is different that the one sold in the spring. There are different t-shirts (dates on back) , different magnets, some stickers, a zippered a fleece vest, different pins, a poster; just a lot of new stuff. One t-shirt says "property of Paul McCartney" which I laughingly suggest every fan buy since we GAVE you all of our money, Paul, with these two legs of the tour...
The Paul McCartney website has been updated for the "Back in the U.S." tour. (Thanks to Joe DiMura.) St. Louis Today: Top of the rock
Indianapolis Star: Paul pays his respects to then, an eye on now Cleveland.com: Ex-Beatle gets back to where he once belonged for another 3-hour concert Akron Beacon Journal: Sir Paul brings his tour back to Gund (Thanks to Mike Moyer, Karen Dyson and Pam Hollingshead for some of the links.) Update (10/5/02) From James Marien:
I see that you included the FYE flyer on your site from Paul's concerts. I picked up about 5 of the flyers when I was at the show in Hartford. It would be of interest to know which venues used these flyers. Perhaps you could pose that question on your web site. That way we would know which venues featured these flyers.
Our comment: Agreed. Let us know where the flyers were distributed and we'll pass the info on.
Undercover: McCartney to play Melbourne in November (Thanks to Barbara Pazmino.)
Fayetteville Online: McCartney's 'Back in the U.S.' tour heads to Raleigh Update (10/4/02) Added reviews for Boston and Hartford (with Atlantic City added to second review). From Patti Murawski:
Don't know if anyone told you about the FYE presale cards for Paul's upcoming album being sold at the show. Attached scan of FYE card taken off of the flyers left on the seats at the Hartford and Atlantic City shows. It's for a prepaid "priority" card to buy the live album which one could purchase at the mechandise stand at the concert. I'd do the whole flyer, but it's a solid black background with white/red/yellow type on it and doesn't scan well.
The FYE handbill was left on each seat. Presumably you go to an area FYE outlet to pick up your album when it comes out. Pretty cagey presale, they get their money BEFORE the album comes out.
The wording is such that people were believing it was for the performance they were attending that night.
Here is the text of the handbill, you can judge for yourself:
Headline: "Paul McCartney Back in the U.S. Live 2002"
"YOU ARE GOING TO SO MUCH LOVE THIS SHOW. SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY WITH A CRACKING BAND SINGING 36 SONGS THAT'S THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE THIS IS A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER FOREVER.
But memories fade so he's how you can keep the magic of tonight intact for always--buy the album of this evening before it's even made.
And you can do it before you even leave this building.On your way out, check out the mechandise stalls and you'll see they're selling the "Back in the US" Album Priority card. Buy the card, a collector's item in itself--and that guarantees a way that you'll get the album that'll replay the wonder of this evening.
Not convinced? No problem -- read this again in two and a half hours time.
(MPL logo and Capitol Records logo) Paul McCartney Back in the U.S. Live 2002, 2 CD SET and DVD in stores 11/26."The card was on sale for $20, but I didn't buy one. Never mind you can probably find the CD for $14.99 on Amazon... $20 for the card--take the card to FYE in November and get the CD.
I can't imagine anyone getting a rebate if the CD happens to be on sale at FYE when you go there to pick it up. I guess whatever the difference in price is would be what you paid for your "collectible" card.
Our comment: That's quite a sell job. And we agree with you ... nice way to get your money before the album's released.
news.com.au: McCartney here -- at a cost
Chicago radio interview with Paul McCartney (Thanks to Trini Schultz.)
Boston Herald: Fans of McCartney, Beatles get real treat at FleetCenter
Boston Globe: Another classic from McCartney
Indianapolis Star: Stories behind Paul's Beatle tunes told
Indianapolis Star: McCartney songs stir memories
Indianapolis Star: The all-purpose Paul (Thanks for links to Jack Suslak, Gwen Craig and Tim Tyler.) Update (10/3/02) Added new reviews for Atlantic City., Hartford and Chicago.
Bucks County Courier Times: McCartney leaves little at home in A.C. concert Minneapolis Star Tribune: Review: McCartney concert is Beatles' love fest New Haven Register: McCartney wows packed house with decades-spanning set After four decades, Sir Paul is here, there, everywhere NY Daily News: McCartney delivers the musical goods After 38 years, A.C. still loves McCartney (Thanks to RealLove64, Karen Dyson and Leo Teunissen.) Update (10/2/02)
From jviola212:
Steve, I m writing in hopes that you'll post this story as it is true and a once in lifetime experience. In our case, twice.
Back in February I drove to My local grocers that had the Lottery going for the April 10th Chicago United Center Concert. (DRIVING USA TOUR.) My wife was at the dentist so I took my 3 year old daughter with me to the store that was holding the lottery. Tickets were passed out and they allowed my daughter to pick the ticket for the drawing. My daughter picked my ticket so I quickly accessed the cost factor and went for broke. I ended up with front row SEC 1 seats 17 & 18 .( 3 seats from center) WHAT AN EXPERIENCE, my wife and I will never be the same. Paul was interacting with us all night. We were so close you could see the spit from his mouth. Anyway, My wife and I brought along the Hard Days Night Album in attempt to get his autograph. My wife was relentless jumping up and down between numbers in order to obtain his signature. About half way through the concert I started helping her out by pointing at the album and yelling up (in a civil manner) Paul sign the album. He would look over to us and mouth no, no, no. However after his second call he turned to us, asked for the album and signed it. Its was a surreal experience. it took weeks to come down to earth. About 2 months later we hear he's coming again September 24, Yep it happened again we pulled the number one lottery ticket again with the help of my three year old and got second row 3 rd section. Again, what a show. I've read reviews that you never get the full effect from front row. You miss out on all the video and special effects. Maybe, all I can say it was if he were in my living room I can go to Six Flags for effects. I'll give up the effects.The September 24th concert we waved a two-sided Beatle poster board throughout the show. He didn't autograph it however to girls waving the albums Ram & Hard Days Night received a drum skin from one of the roadies and My wife was autographed with the poster. If we're lucky maybe it will show on one of his DVD's
Thanks for reading I needed to tell someone the story. I'd love to know if anyone caught a photo of him signing the Hard Days Night album for us last April. Jerry.
Chip Madinger is looking for audio tape reports from the Back in the U.S. tour. Check out his site at http://www.8-arms.com/
ctnow.com: McCartney revisits the Beatles (Hartford review)
Herald-Sun: Portsea plans for McCartney New Haven Register.com: From yesterday to tonight Paul McCartney, plays Connecticut for the first time New Haven Register.com: McCartney plays Hartford tonight - first time in state Update II (9/27/02) The Australian website Undercover Music reports the first Australian leg of the tour is confirmed for Nov. 23 and 24 at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne. It says other dates in Sydney, Brisbane and a return to Melbourne are planned for next year. (Thanks to Greg Orr.) Update (9/27/02) We have the track listing for the "Back in the U.S." CD right here!
Added more rewiews for St. Paul-Minneapolis.
UK Sun: Macca to play gig in China
Chicago Sun Times: Chicago show review (Thanks to Jeff Haske.) Update II (9/26/02) The UK Sun reported that Paul is planning gigs for China's Tianamen Square and Moscow's Red Square. (Thanks to Peter Hodgson.)
Chicago Herald: McCartney entertains for a third time Press of Atlantic City: More than three decades of artistic achievement from Paul McCartney Update (9/26/02) Added reviews for Milwaukee and Chicago.
The McCartney press office released this press release Wednesday about the forthcoming live DVD. Australians take note: At the very end, it says Paul will tour Australia in November. (Thanks to Bill King for pointing that out.):
Mac is ``Back In The U.S.'' Stores With a New Live Album and Intimate ``Rock `n Road Movie'' DVD
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2002--For the first time in his solo career, Paul McCartney is to release a DVD that candidly reveals the intimate backstage life on the road, alongside a 2-CD live set of his most triumphant tour since The Beatles. The three-hour "rock `n road movie" will take fans right inside Paul McCartney's acclaimed current tour, giving access to all areas previously kept private from the public -- going inside the dressing rooms, seeing scenes from the back seat of his personal limo and even aboard his chartered jet. The "Back In The U.S." DVD will also include performances of Paul and his new band at sound check that have never been shown before -- plus footage of more than 30 classic songs filmed at shows all across America and presented in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. "This feels like a very special tour and because of that we wanted to film not only the great shows we've been enjoying but also reveal to people what we're doing when we're not doing the show. There are a lot of private moments on the DVD -- it'll be like a backstage pass to the intimate zones where most people never get," said Paul, who has just started "Back In The U.S.," the second leg of his 50-date American tour. The "Back In The U.S." DVD will be released by Capitol Records on November 26th -- together with a "Back In The U.S." double CD that features a 36-song set list of new live recordings from the all-hits show that has rocked America. The 36 songs on the new 2-CD live album will be: "All My Loving," "Band On The Run," "Back In The U.S.S.R.," "Blackbird," "Coming Up," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Carry That Weight," "C Moon," "Driving Rain," "Every Night," "Eleanor Rigby," "The End," "Freedom," "Fool On The Hill," "Getting Better," "Hello Goodbye," "Here Today," "Here There And Everywhere," "Hey Jude," "I Saw Her Standing There," "Jet," "Lonely Road," "Let Me Roll It," "Live And Let Die," "Let It Be," "Lady Madonna," "The Long And Winding Road," "Mother Nature's Son," "Maybe I'm Amazed," "My Love," "Something," "Sergeant Pepper," "Vanilla Sky," "We Can Work It Out," "Your Loving Flame" and "Yesterday." "We recorded the album at various shows on the first leg of the U.S. tour in the spring and I'm excited by the sound that we've got with this new band of mine," said Paul McCartney. "I wanted the album to capture the spirit of some magical nights on the road as a lifelong reminder for the great crowds who shared them with us." Alongside Paul in the Back In The U.S. band are Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray on guitars, Abe Laboriel, Jr. on drums and Paul "Wix" Wickens on keyboards. Paul McCartney's Back In The U.S. tour opened in Milwaukee on Saturday, September 21st, and will play through Chicago, Hartford, Atlantic City, Boston, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Raleigh, St. Louis, Columbus, New Orleans, Houston, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tacoma, Sacramento, San Jose, Anaheim, Las Vegas and Los Angeles before ending in Phoenix on October 29th. Following the end of his American tour, Paul McCartney will perform in November in Mexico City, Tokyo, Osaka and Melbourne.And Scott tells us there are still tickets available on Ticketmaster for the 9/28 Atlantic City show.
Kansas.com: After four decades, Sir Paul is here, there, everywhere Update (9/25/02) Added Minneapolis reviews.
Mexico's LaCaverna radio show will air a clip of one of the Milwaukee show's three new songs Friday night. (Without revealing the title for those who want to be surprised, it's the second oldest of the three songs.) The show's website is right here. (Thanks to Fernando Zavala.)
Pioneer Press: Playful McCartney takes crowd down Memory Road ConcertLivewire.com: Milwaukee review
Set list post on Black Crowes bulletin board
Pioneer Press: Ticket shock at superstars' arena shows
Star-Tribune: McCartney's magic still strikes a chord
Star-Tribune: Upset about $250 concert tickets? Blame Paul McCartney (Thanks to Leo Teunissen and Allen Stearns for some of the links.) Update (9/24/02) More Milwaukee reviews added.
And in this charming interview from the Star-Tribune, Paul discusses various topics, including being back on the road ("Just 'cause it's opening night, you get a little nerves but not badly."), why he changed the set list for the second leg ("There were a couple lesser hits that I'd put in on purpose, actually, to give people a chance to go get a beer and take a pee. So now there's no chance") and whether he'd consider playing bass in one of Ringo's All-Starr Bands (""Yeah, I'd consider anything. It's a matter of what I fancy.). He also discusses the release of the unSpectorized "Let It Be" (coming next year), and what's still in the Beatle tape vaults (""There's lots. "We used to joke after 'Anthology' that the next album would be called 'Scraping the Bottom of the Barrel.' There's all sorts of things but I'm not sure whether they'd make records."). The article also mentions that keyboardist Paul "Wix" Wickens keeps a lava lamp on his keyboard in memory of Linda McCartney. (Thanks to Pam Hollingshead for the link.)
Update (9/23/02) More reviews of the Milwaukee show.
Update II (9/22/02) Added more reviews of the Milwaukee show.
Update (9/22/02) Added the first fan review of the second leg of the Milwaukee show. Three songs were changed in the set list.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinal Online: Bradley show, Sir Paul gets back to where he once belonged (Review)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinal Online: Fans can expect more McCartney than he planned (Advance story.) (Thanks to Real Love64, Barbara Pasmino and Patti Murawski.) Update (9/21/02) Milwaukee Journal Sentinal Online: Listen to what the man sings
Appleton Post-Crescent: Paul still tripping the live fantastic (Thanks to Brian Peterson and Michael David.) Update (9/20/02) Paul tour announcement video:
Window Media - http://mcms-delivery.virtuebroadcasting.com/deliverMedia.asp?id=A976BFED-6269-41B3-B70C-81B4348B4CF8
Real Player - http://mcms-delivery.virtuebroadcasting.com/deliverMedia.asp?id=4A234E41-1F39-46B5-96CA-D1417A677AAE (Thanks to Trini Schultz.) From Matt Hurwitz:
Paul's "Driving USA" CD and DVD releases have now been re-titled to coincide with the upcoming tour. Both are now called "Back in the U.S." instead of "Driving USA." There may be one or two special bonus buys at various outlets such as Best Buy.
And from Luis Enrique Inngais:
Hi Steve,
Attached will find banners of a Mexican newspaper (Reforma) with information about the third and last concert. It's confirmed: there will be only three concerts.Best Regards,
Saludos cordiales,
Luis Enrique InngaisUpdate (9/12/02)
Paul McCartney (DE NUEVO) en México! (Mexican fan website about the tour. Thanks to Luis Enrique Inngais.) Update (9/11/02) From Manuel Alfonso Borja Medina:
Hi Steve,
Just to let you know about the ticket sales for the McCartney concerts in Mexico City. Today begins the general sale, past five days were only presale for the Mexico Major Credit Card members. All seems that the best tickets "fly" on the presale, so there are not too much to buy from now on. A very good friend of mine, Jesica Sophia Rosales bought tickets via Internet for both concerts in the SECOND ROW just in front of the stage. I asked her to write reviews of the shows for your page since I will not attend those concerts ( I was in Dallas last May, and I will go to Houston concert next month. Strange, but I live in a Mexican city closer to Texas than Mexico City).In 1993, the list of the songs for the concerts in Mexico had very nice surprises like the performance of "I Lost My Little Girl" and "Ain't No Sunshine" the last one with Paul on drums and Hamish Stuart on vocals, these two songs were not performed as a part of the USA Leg in 1993. So I hope this time Paul gives the Mexican audience one or two surprises.
Best Regards
Manuel BorjaUpdate (9/10/02) From Edmundo Chávez Hernández:
Hi Steve:
Paul McCarney sold 19,000 tickets on the first day of the the pre-sale for his concerts in Mexico. He broke the record in ticket sales for a concert in Mexico. Recent concerts in Mexico include Britney Spears and Elton John, both none of them was near to the amount of tickets sold by OCESA (the organization that will bring Paul to Mexico) for the Drivin Mexico concerts. Congratulations Macca.Best Regards,
Edmundo Chávez Hernández, Tampico, Mexico.Update (9/8/02) The latest message from paulmccartney.com regarding the tour:
AIN'T NO STOPPING US NOW...WE'RE 'BACK IN THE U.S.' ..(AMONGST OTHER PLACES) 06/09/2002 HAVING THROUGHLY ENJOYED THE 27 SHOWS IN AMERICA ON THE FIRST LEG OF THE TOUR IN APRIL-MAY, PAUL IS NOW TO ROUND UP THE USA TOTAL TO A NEAT 50 WITH A BATCH OF NEW SHOWS. THE 'BACK IN THE U.S.' LEG OF 23 MORE CONCERTS WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 21ST AND END ON OCTOBER 29TH.
AFTER THAT WE'RE OFF FOR A FEW NIGHTS IN MEXICO CITY (ALL TOUR DATES BELOW) BEFORE ZIPPING OVER TO JAPAN TO PLAY TOKYO AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PAUL'S CAREER, OSAKA. AND THEN.....WHO KNOWS? BY THE WAY.....A WORD TO EACH OF YOU 406,521 FANS WHO SAW SHOWS OF THE 'DRIVING USA' TOUR - WATCH OUT, YOU COULD VERY WELL FIND YOURSELF ON SCREEN WITH MACCA LATER THIS YEAR. PAUL WILL BE ISSUING A CD OF THE TOUR SHOW IN LATE NOVEMBER - PLUS A DVD OF THE TOUR IN STORES AROUND THE SAME TIME. WORD FROM INSIDE THE EDIT STUDIO IS THAT THE DVD WILL BE UTTERLY UNLIKE PREVIOUS FILMS OF MAC IN CONCERT (I.E. 'GET BACK' AND 'PAUL IS LIVE') IN THAT A GOOD WHACK OF THE THREE HOURS OF IT WILL CONTAIN BACKSTAGE AND OFF-DUTY FOOTAGE THE LIKES OF WHICH YOU NEVER GET TO SEE. BESIDES TAKING YOU ON AN ACCESS ALL AREAS TOUR OF SOUND CHECK, DRESSING ROOMS, ON THE CREW BUS, AT THE AFTER-SHOW PARTIES, IN THE BACK SEAT OF HIS LIMO AND EVEN ABOARD HIS PRIVATE TOUR JET (AND A LOT MORE), THE DVD CONTAINS A LOT OF CROWD SCENES FROM THE GIGS. SO WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF, WE'VE CAUGHT YOU CANDIDLY ON CAMERA ROCKING YOUR SOX OFF. AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, APPEARING TO ROCK OTHER ITEMS OF CLOTHING OFF BESIDES. OO-ERR, MISSUS..... MORE GOSS - WE'RE TOLD THERE COULD BE CHANGES TO THE SET FOR THE NEXT LEG; THE BAND HAS BEEN LEARNING UP A BUNCH OF OTHER SONGS AND A DECISION ON THEIR INCLUSION WILL BE TAKEN WHEN REHEARSALS START AT ANY DAY NOW. (A reposting of the tour schedule followed here.)KEEPS US OFF THE STREETS.........
Update (9/8/02) Here's another question for you all: Will Paul change his setlist for the second leg? Should he? Post your answer here.
Update (9/6/02)
From Manuel Alfonso Borja Medina:
Steve,
Today started the Ticketmaster presale for the McCartney shows, however it is a mess. You can purchase a ticket if you have a major credit card, however you will not know which seat is assigned to you until the ticket arrive via mail. In other words, you can be assigned anywhere within the sections A,B and C if you want to buy the most expensive ticket that is 180 USD plus 23 USD for other charges... TOTAL 203 USD. Section D is 60 USD plus 9 USD TOTAL 69 USD. Section E is 25 USD plus 5 UDS TOTAL 30 USD.And a second note from Manuel:
Steve,
Another comment is about the Mexican promo picture that I sent you yesterday. As you notice it does not show the Mexican Flag as it really is that is because the Constitution here states the flag can NOT be part of public use (cloths, commercial adds, etc). It only can be use in Official Acts as the Independence day. This law is very different in the USA where you can use the flag in a T-shirt for example. Best RegardsAttach is the layout of the place where Paul will perform his show in Mexico city. Please note that it is very different compare to the most of the sport-arenas for the USA leg. Levels A, B and C will cost approx 180 USD, level D is 60 USD and level E is 25 USD. Over the years many artists have made their shows there, for example Billy Joel, U2, Metallica, Clapton; the main concern of the audience is about the acoustic of the place, since it have a metallic dome that is not proper for music concerts. I hope that Paul's acoustic engineers can handle with this situation.
Manuel BorjaAnd from Victor Mora Reyna:
Hi Steve, how are you?
Today (Thursday) began the pre-sale for the two concerts in Mexico. After two hours the tickets are flying, probably OCESA will make official the third one. I mean: everybody knows third show (tuesday 5 th) is official but the media can't announce it yet. I have all the update info *in spanish* on beatmex.com.
All the best,
VMRUpdate (9/5/02)
We now have a logo for the Mexican leg of the tour (see right side) and a link to a website for that leg of the tour. (Thanks to Manuel Alfonso Borja Medina of La Caverna radio show.)
Update (9/3/03) We don't have a logo, but we have a banner from the Driving Mexico tour. (Thanks to Armando S. Rueda.)
Update (8/30/02) Armando S. Rueda in Mexico emailed us that the presale date for the Mexico shows has been shifted to Sept. 5 and that the third show has not been confirmed, but is "nearly on the way."
Update (8/27/02) Here's a translation of the Reforma article courtesy of M.H. Brown:Paul McCartney will come to Mexico
After having been received a king's treatment in 1993, when he gave a pair of shows on Nov. 25 and 27 in the Foro Sol (Sun Forum), the Briton will return with a two-and-a-half-hour spectacle
By Juan Carlos García/Grupo Reforma
Mexico City (Aug. 22, 2002) - Like the knight he is, Paul McCartney will have his "palace" this Nov. 2 and 3 in Mexico to receive the tribute of his faithful followers.
The ex-Beatle will offer two concerts in the Palacio de los Deportes (Sports Palace) as part of the "Driving Tour" that he is currently presenting in the United States and was designed for arenas more than for larger sites or reduced spaces, informed spokesmen for OCESA Presenta, the firm that will bring him to Mexico.
After having been received a king's treatment in 1993, when he gave a pair of shows on Nov. 25 and 27 in the Foro Sol (Sun Forum), the Briton will return with a two-and-a-half-hour spectacle, in which he will interpret around 30 songs from such albums as Flaming Pie, Run Devil Run and Driving Rain, in addition to the classics of his time with the Beatles, Wings and as a solo artist, the informant indicated.
Also known as Sir Paul, for the title of a knight that Queen Elizabeth ordered him in 1997, the musician will come accompanied by Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray on guitars, Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums and Paul "Wix" Wickens on keyboards. He will bring his now inseparable bass, guitar and piano.
"This is a new band for me, all of them are great musicians," Paul said before the executives of OCESA Presenta that contracted him, "we enjoy ourselves enormously onstage and we hope to have fun in the same way in Mexico City, its public is very participative and that is my type of audience."
The merits of Paul McCartney do not reduce to his long history with the band to which he belonged together with Ringo Starr and the late John Lennon and George Harrison; he is also recognized for being an iron defender of the rights of animals, and lately, for his talent as a poet, which was solidified in the book Blackbird Singing, Paul McCartney, Songs and Poems, 1965-1999.
In 1998 the Englishman became the widow of Linda McCartney, with whom he married in 1969 and had Mary, Stella, James and Heather. The following year he met the ex-model Heather Mills, who lost her left leg in an accident and to whom he was married some months ago in Ireland.
Born June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England, Paul, vegetarian by conviction, fan of tennis and reading novels, is considered a living legend for his long artistic trajectory.
The tickets to see the richest and most famous musician of the United Kingdom in the Federal District will be on sale Sept. 2 to all the public.
There will be tickets of 1,800, 600 and 250 pesos. You can get them on the Ticketmaster system, at the Palacio de los Deportes box office, Mixup, Discolandia, Palacio de Hierro or on telephone 5325-9000.
And Victor Moya Reyna tells us he has information on Paul in Mexico on his website.
Question: Anyone have a copy of the Driving Mexico poster so we can add it to our collection on this page? Don't send it, but let us know first, so our email doesn't get overwhelmed. Thanks.
Update (8/25/02)AP: McCartney to tour in Mexico City
Update (8/23/02) From Manuel Borja in Mexico:Steve,
Hello this is Manuel Borja from "The Cavern" radio show in Monterrey Mexico. I read some official news in a national newspaper about the upcoming shows of Paul in Mexico City. Please refer to www.reforma.com unfortunately is in spanish but is a very good and secure source.
They says that the concerts will be at "El palacio de los deportes" (Sports Palace) that is an arena located just in front of the stadium where Paul played two concerts in november 1993, I attended the last of the concerts.
According to the newspaper tickets prices are: 180 USD, 60 USD and 25 USD.... they are very cheap compare to the driving USA tour... anyway... tickets will be available in ticketmaster mexico and in some CD stores since September 2nd.
please continue you amazing work for all beatle fans...
Best Regards,
Manuel BorjaAnd from Victor Mora Reyna:
Hi Steve, I'm a regular reader of your wonderful beatles' page. The rumours about a Paul´s concert in Mexico after 9 years are today a real fact. Ocesa (the company which made the deal) confirmed today that Paul will be in our city the days you have written. The "official" concerts are on november 2, 3 at the "Palacio de los Deportes", tickets will be available on september 2nd, prices are 25 to 180 USdollars. The rest of the days(nov 4 and 5) are a surprise for the fans, these days haven't been announced yet. Greetings from Mexico :)
And Jose Lopez Rivas sent us this link to a Mexican newspaper report (in Spanish) about the tour and adds this comment about the tour prices:
A lot of money here in Mexico (minimun salarium in Mexico is about 8-10 US dollars for one day of work )
Also, the Herald Sun in Australia reports Paul is considering playing Sydney and Melbourne after his dates in Japan. "If McCartney says `yes,' this tour will have to be arranged very quickly because November isn't that far away," the paper quoted one promoter. "There is a real push to get McCartney down here. It is just a matter of when. The Japan dates are a real window of opportunity." (Thanks to Adam Powell.)
And from Patti Murawski:
Clear Channel's Jim Koplik said on a New Haven, CT radio show (it's a weekly ask the promoter about upcoming concerts phone in show) that the Sept. 27th McCartney show at the Hartford (CT) Civic Center is sold out.
Update (8/22/02) Advance word is that Paul may do some shows in Mexico City. Dates on hold are November 2-5. No confirmation yet.
Update (8/21/02) In addition to what we told you in the item below, another source tells us that Paul may be playing two concerts in Melbourne this November immediately after his Japanese dates. The rumored dates are November 23 and 25.
Update II (8/19/02) From Dicko:Steve:
Two separate sources within EMI Australia & the tour promoter have independently leaked news that Macca will tour Australia Jan/Feb 2003. These leaks came late last week. No news on venues, dates or ticket prices - these will have to wait for an official announcement (no date mentioned). Start saving up Australia!... Dicko
Update (8/17/02)Pollstar: Paul McCartney Back In Japan
Update (8/14/02) From Hey Jude:More miscellaneous ticket news: After having picked up Oct. 22 San Jose tickets the day they went on sale, I've since been occasionally checking the Ticketmaster website to see what seats are still available. As it stands now, if I try for one ticket in "best available", a normal seat is available (although it's pretty much a "nosebleed" sort of seat, so it appears the venue may be near a sell-out, I don't know). But sure enough, if I try for a larger amount of tickets, perhaps 3, in "best available", it offers tickets in a section behind the stage with the following disclaimer: !! WARNING !! THIS SEAT IS BEHIND THE STAGE
Now, I'm not sure, but as far as I know neither the Oakland or San Jose shows on the first leg of the tour (both of which I attended) were offering obstructed view seating (although, some reports of Oakland and San Jose not selling out on the first leg are reportedly due to the fact that the venues counted the "obstructed view" seats that were never offered for sale in the grand total of tickets, hence reports that both shows had something like 4,000 empty seats, which of course is not the case, they were both near-sellouts if not total sell-outs).
As far as I can remember, even though much of the sections behind the stage were not visible due to the stage setup, it appeared as though the sections behind the stage were completely empty while the rest of the venue at both shows appeared to be pretty much sold-out. I also have not heard of any other venues selling obstructed view seats on the first leg, but again I'm not 100% sure on that.
In any event, it appears as though at least at some venues (if not all of them) they are now selling seats behind the stage. I would imagine the tour folks might set up additional video screens behind the stage so that these ticket-buyers will be able to see something.
-- HeyJude's "Beach Boys Resource Page" - http://www.geocities.com/heyjude160
Comment: We attended the San Jose show and sat in the section to the right of the stage, so we can confirm there were no seats sold behind the stage for that show. Too bad they're apparently doing that now.
And from Takamichi Hijiya:
Hi,
Kyodo Tokyo corrected ticket prices for Osaka shows. Ticket prices for Osaka shows are 14,000 yen (about $120 US) and 12,000 yen (about $100 US); the same as ones for Tokyo shows.
Regards,
Taka
Update (8/13/02) From Steve Brett:Hi, Steve--
Here's something I thought your web site readers might want to know: It appears that some additional tickets for the Driving US tour were released this weekend. Up through last week, Ticketmaster.com was indicating that no seats were available for the Milwaukee and Chicago shows; but both had seats available as of this morning (Monday).
(I already had a pair of seats in Chicago--I paid the additional $60 for the, ahem, "privilege" of buying them on presale--but I was monitoring the Milwaukee show, too, because I thought it would be fun to drive up there for the tour opener. It turns out I was able to get what seems to be a pretty decent $125 seat.) P.S. Thanks for your great web site!
Comment: Because tickets will probably keep popping back up, we're removing the SOLD OUT indicators from the tour itinerary, though we'll post any reports we get.
And from Bill Brandon:
Went to my favorite record store (FYE, the old "Camelot") and saw the order forms for the new Driving Rain Live DVD which is scheduled to be released in late November...if my memory serves me right, 11//25/02. (Editor's note: Actually, it's Nov. 26 in the U.S., since U.S. releases hit the stores on Tuesdays.)
Keep up the good work,
Wm Brandon
Brandon, Ms. U.S.A.Update (8/12/02) From Patti Murawski of the Harrison Alliance:
I think I sent you this last week, but perhaps you didn't get it. But in light of the Japanese tour poster you posted...
Note that the US fall logo has been altered quite a bit from the spring tour logo: A big American flag is now in the background of the US fall tour logo/poster The car is no longer in the picture; it's been cropped out. The poster has been done to make it look like Paul is jumping off the edge of the stage with drum kit and stage lighting in the background. The Japanese poster had the flag changed to their flag, and the drum kit (but not the stage lighting) has been taken out.
And another graphic from Takamichi Hijiya:
Hi! I found another promo poster for "Driving Japan." This one is more popular one. So I will send you this pic, too. Regards. Taka
Update (8/11/02) From Takamichi Hijiya:
According to Kyodo Tokyo, ticket prices for Tokyo shows are 14,000 yen (about $120 US) and 12,000 yen (about $100 US). As for Osaka shows, ticket price is 9,000 yen (about $80 US). Tickets for all shows will go on sale at 9:00JST on 29 September, 2002.
For inquiries about the dates for all shows, please call Kyoko Tokyo (+81-3-3498-9999).
PS. I attached the poster for "Driving Japan."
Regards,
TakaFrom Gene Bednarchik:
Just a short note ... yesterday, on 8/10 the Anaheim Pond was selling ticket for a section on one side, stage right I believe (in the rafters) high up, with obstructed views. So most likely as venues sell out, they will open areas up that you wont see Paul "live" but can see the jumbo trons......
Update (8/10/02) From Annie Lynne:You have the best Beatle site around. Thank you for the great job you do! Just wanted to let you know that, as of today (Fri 8/8), Ticketmaster has available tickets to Paul's 10/1 show at the Fleet Center in Boston. I know your site has been listing them as being off sale.
Thanks so much
And from Matthew Johnson:
I am going to both Paul's show on the 23rd and The Who's show on the 24th of September in St. Paul, MN. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but The Who are playing in Chicago on the 23rd so it will be impossible for Pete to be in both places at once.
Comment: Well, Pete has been known to play very fast. :) But thanks, Matthew. And John Scanlon tells us that in Chicago it's the Who on the 23rd, Paul on the 24th and Bruce Springsteen on the 25th. Wow...
Update (8/9/02) Matt sent us a rumor that he says was reported by a local radio station that Pete Townshend will make a guest appearance with Paul at the Sept. 23 show at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. That's the night before the Who's show at the same venue.
Update II (8/6/02) Price for the Japan shows is 14000 yen. (about $120 US). Be interesting to see what Paul charges in Europe when he finally gets there. (Thanks to Masato Kato.)
Update (8/6/02) A couple of people have told us that trying to get tickets for the Sacramento and Milwaukee shows on Ticketmaster gave messages that "We are unable to fulfill your specific request. We may not have the type of tickets you requested or the number of seats together that you are looking for." This may or not mean sold out. (Thanks to Vitor Suman and Hofric.)And we were chuffed, to use a favorite Macca phrase, to see Abbeyrd's Beatles Page mentioned several times in Al Sussman's "Cyber Driving USA: Virtual Fans on the Run" report and also in the news section in the new (#137) issue of Beatlefan. Our sincere appreciation to Al and editor Bill King. Thanks, guys!
Update (8/4/02)Rolling Stone: Trouble for the tour biz (says McCartney tour was an exception)
Update IV (8/3/02) We've added a set of just announced McCartney Japan dates in November. Tickets said to go on sale Sept. 29. (Thanks very much to Mark Hanlon.)And a note from Patti Murawski:
Even though TicketMaster may show online that a show has sold out, it doesn't necessarily mean that it has. If you read the entire TicketMaster screen, at the bottom it usually says something like, "occasionally blocks of tickets will become available. Try at a later date."
In April TicketMaster was repeatedly showing that the Boston show was sold out, yet people were able to buy tickets at the box office that evening in all price ranges (I observed this myself, having enquired at the box office).
Tickets that certain groups aren't using (like sports teams affiliated with the facility, etc.) often will release tickets, or if the facility isn't sure of the stage and soundboard configuration/requirements, they will hold back blocks.
So, even though they may say sold out, they may not be. One can always consider the ETS Route if they are worried about being shut out.
Update III (8/3/02) There are rumors of upcoming dates in Japan, and possibly Mexico. If you've heard something locally, please email us. Links to news stories would be appreciated.Update II (8/3/02) From Bob Malachowski in Utica, N.Y.:
The show I am going to, Atlantic City on 9/28/02, appears to be sold out as well. If you search for just one best available ticket, you get the no tickets available message. Just wanted to pass it along for your report.
Update (8/3/02) Both the Anaheim and Los Angeles shows appear to be sold out, since any attempts to get Ticketmaster.com is unsuccessful. (Thanks to Karen Dyson and Gene Bednarchik.)
Update II (8/2/02) Hartford is sold out (thanks to James Marien.)
Update (8/2/02) Nothing new to report, but here's a request: We'd like to know if shows are sold out in your area so we can mark it on the itinerary. Please email us.
Update (7/31/02) The August 3 issue of Billboard has an article on Paul's tour with quotes from tour producer Barry Marshall, promoter Randy Phillips and promoter Brad Wavra.
"The truth is, we ended up with 23 shows, but there were easily 40 out there, if we had had the time," Phillips is quoted as saying. "Everybody wanted these dates. Besides being a huge revenue generator, it's also a prestige date for these buildings."
Still, Marshall says the main reason McCartney is returning to the U.S. to tour is because he enjoyed himself so much the first time around.
"When an artist can sing songs (he) wrote 30 years ago, 25 years ago, or yesterday and enjoy them all, what more can you ask for? Not one person, building, or venue wasn't very accommodating. They were pleased to be there, as we all were." Wavra, too, believes more dates are out there. "There were a lot more cities that could have been played. And who knows -- if Paul McCartney has the same experience, and the audiences are as responsible and enthusiastic, we can ony hope that cities that haven't had the chance to experience this concert of a lifetime will have that opportunity."
The article goes on to say that an international tour could follow the U.S. dates. (Thanks to Sylvia M. Giustina.)
And here's a few of those fill-in press release statements. First, from Sylvia M. Giustina:
Steve,
On July 24, the Oregonian reported:
It will be his first concert appearance in Portland since August 1965, when the Beatles played at Memorial Coliseum. "It's been a long time since I've performed in Portland. When we did the last concert there with The Beatles, we only played a dozen songs. This time we'll be doing three times as many songs," McCartney said in a statement.
And from Patti Murawski of the Harrison Alliance:
Yes, we had one of those in the Hartford, CT market for Paul's upcoming Hartford Civic Center show...
The statement was:
"I never played in Hartford with either the Beatles or with Wings, so I reckon it's been long enough for me and the town to get it together. Sorry about the wait."
Patti also told us this about ticket sales:
Last night anyway, all Paul tickets were on sale online , even the ones that were offsale, although a check of some availablity comes up with "sorry can't fill your request".
Update (7/30/02) Paul has apparently been issuing fill-in press releases for stops on the Back in the U.S. tour. (See the press release and you'll see what we mean.) Here's an excerpt from a Milwaukee statement (if you've seen other fill-in statements like this, send 'em along):"We're having too much fun to want to stop playing now. I'm excited to be starting up again in Milwaukee. They're a loud crowd there and the beer's good, too."
Update II (7/28/02) Billboard.com reports that in addition to the previously reported tour DVD, Paul McCartney will release a live album from the Driving USA/Back to the USA tour in November. David Kahne, who produced the "Driving Rain" album, will and producer/engineer Michael Brauer plan 36 tracks for the live set. Brauer told Billboard the mix will approximate sitting 10 to 15 rows from the stage. The mixes, especially of the older songs, will also include an awareness of the original mixes. "I grew up with these songs, and I want to maintain their integrity. ... David also makes sure that the spirit of the song is again brought out. And Paul is here to listen to it. I've got all the original songs from the show on my iPod, so I'll listen to it, asking myself, 'What were the elements that made it so cool?' A classic is a classic -- you don't want to mess with it."Update (7/28/02) We updated the itinerary with current info on sale dates and ticket availability. (If what we have doesn't match your local info, let us know.)
From Michael Cloud, about the Houston show (and this applies to some presales elsewhere):
Until August 2, tickets are available only from Clear Channel (www.tmgetaccess.cc.com). Clear Channel charges a $60 annual membership fee. They also provided early ticket purchases for the Rolling Stones. I managed to get two $150 seats on the floor for McCartney.
And Chiwee4 tells us tickets for New Orleans (or Nawlins ... :) go on sale Aug. 3.
Update (7/27/02) New show alert!: A new Sept. 30 Boston FleetCenter show was added to the itinerary after most of the originally announced show on Oct. 1 sold out. We've added that show to our schedule above. Tickets for the Sept. 30 show are now on sale. (Thanks to Patti Murawski and Ron.) Will there be more shows added? Stay tuned.
Also, Karen Dyson tells us that Ticketmaster is selling advance parking passes for $20!
Update (7/25/02) Will more dates be added to the first 22 that have been already announced? A source tells us that at least one -- on the East Coast -- may be.We've updated the itinerary with a few more on-sale dates (Chicago, Portland, Tacoma, Minneapolis, to name a few...) (And thanks to Fea Teunissen for the link.)
Chicago Tribune: McCartney, Who add Chicago tour dates
Update (7/24/02) First up, you'll notice the new Back in the U.S. tour banners on this page have replaced the banners for the first leg of the McCartney tour. The official tour packages are now available for every stop on the tour. Thanks to everyone who bought tour packages for the first leg of the tour through our site. Please be sure to mention us when you purchase them again. And thank you!One person emailed us (and we saw a similar post in rec.music.beatles) concerned that the sudden absence of the Boston show on Ticketmaster.com meant the Boston show had been canceled. Here's word on that from Patti Murawski of the Harrison Alliance:
Both the presale and sale of Boston tickets are on hold; the listing has completely disappeared from ticketmasters' online listings, and the Fleet Center is saying they don't know when the sale date is.
Also heard from a friend that Park Place Holdings who owns all those casinos mentioned in your previous item, is holding blocks of tickets for the front three floor sections for said casinos. I'll bet you must have to be a very high roller to snag those!
Update to Patti's note: The Boston Fleet Center show is now listed again on Ticketmaster.com. Presale begins 10 a.m. July 24.
Indianapolis Star: Beatlemania lacking in McCartney ticket line: Fans planning to go to Oct. 5 performance recall Fab Four frenzy at 1964 Coliseum show
Lafayette Journal and Courier: It's only rock 'n' roll ... but it costs more
Update (7/20/02) Presale for the Boston and San Jose shows begins at 10 a.m. 7/23. (Thanks to Karen Dyson for the alert.)
Update (7/19/02) The person who we mentioned last night having problems advance sale tickets found that once the bad links were fixed, there were no advance tickets on sale. Let's hope these nightmare stories aren't the rule. (Thanks to Michael David for one of the links.)
JSonline: McCartney kicks off tour in Milwaukee
Suntimes.com: McCartney beats the Boss to United Center by one day
Update (7/18/02) One person wrote us saying they encountered several bad links online when trying to purchase tickets Wednesday in an advance sale for the Hartford show, only to later find a membership in a "GetAccess" club costing $60 was required to purchase tickets early. Whew.And here's the text of a release issued for the Atlantic City show:
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.-- July 17, 2002--PAUL McCARTNEY will perform his first concert in Atlantic City since The Beatles' performance in August 1964, when he launches the second leg of his hugely acclaimed all-hits "Back In The U.S." tour this Fall. McCartney's 36-song show, featuring the biggest hits of his career, will return to the USA for additional concerts through September/October of 2002.
Park Place Entertainment Corporation PPE, the parent company of Bally's, Caesars, Hilton and Claridge casinos in Atlantic City, will host this new "Back In The U.S." show at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale at 11:00 am on Saturday July 20th. Tickets are priced at $100, $150, and $250 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420, visiting www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster locations, or in person at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall Box Office.
Hailed by critics as "the season's hottest ticket," the first leg of the tour ("Driving USA") this Spring won McCartney some of the best reviews of his career. Now, with the "Back In The U.S." leg, he is scheduled to play an additional 20 cities, with different songs added to the set.
For "Back In The U.S.," McCartney will play again with the same band that wowed crowds on "Driving USA": Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray on guitars, Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums and Wix Wickens on keyboards. "This band is too good to be just put up on a shelf and we're having too much fun to want to stop playing now," said McCartney. "The last time we played Atlantic City, with The Beatles, we only did about a dozen songs in the set. I hope the crowd this time around enjoys this somewhat-extended show."
McCartney's eagerness to encore the tour has delighted promoters keen to take the show beyond the 19 cities played earlier this year. "I watched Paul McCartney's show four times on the last leg from start to finish and I still did not get enough of this gig," said Randy Phillips, CEO of AEG Live, promoters of the Atlantic City show. "America is lucky to get a second chance to see one of the finest concerts on the road this year. I wouldn't want to predict if we'll ever see its like again."
"Back In The U.S." also will play in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, Columbus, Raleigh, New Orleans, Houston, Portland, Tacoma, Sacramento, San Jose, Phoenix, Hartford, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Oklahoma, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, recently received a $90 million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 13,800 people.
Update II (7/17/02)Reuters: McCartney Returns to U.S. for More Concerts
The Oklahoman: McCartney coming to Ford Center in October
Tacoma Tribune: Paul McCartney due at the Dome Oct. 19
Hartford Courant: McCartney is coming
Hartford Courant: Scenes from McCartney's tour
AzCentral.com: McCartney coming to town
Indystar.com: Ex-Beatle biggest star in fab concert lineup
Update (7/17/02) Just a roundup of news: The new tour will feature the same band as the first. It's not known for sure yet if the set list will be the same, though don't expect massive changes. The new 22-city tour will touch many cities not hit the first time, but will include a number of repeats (San Jose, New York, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cleveland and Boston). As with the first leg, expect some additional dates to be added.So why is Paul back out on the road in the U.S.A.? Probably because the first leg was quite profitable. In fact, the McCartney Driving U.S.A. tour was the highest grossing tour to this point of the year, reports Pollstar. (The Green Day/Blink 182 tour actually had a bigger attendance, though.) (Thanks for info and links to Steve Berg, Bill King, Jack Suslak, Michael David, Robert Danner, Tim Tyler, Fea Teunissen, Don Kamps.)
Billboard.com: McCartney 'Driving' Back To U.S. Arenas
Pollstar: McCartney Round 2
WKLH: Milwaukee McCartney tour promo
Conseco Fieldhouse.com: Indianapolis promo
AP: McCartney has highest grossing tour
AP: Ticket prices rise, attendance down
Update II (7/16/02) The official tour announcement (thanks to Bill King of Beatlefan):
PAUL McCARTNEY'S "FEELGOOD FACTORY" GETS BACK IN THE U.S.
The show they are calling "The Feelgood Factory", Paul McCartney's 36-song set of the big hits of his life, is getting Back In The U.S. this Fall for the second leg of the tour that has rocked America. Following the rave reviews and crowds' Maccamania that met his sell-out Driving USA shows in April/May, McCartney is to surf the success with a further 23 concerts on the Back In The U.S. tour.
Back In The U.S. will launch in Milwaukee on Saturday September 21st before touring through mainly new markets that didn't catch McCartney's Spring sensation.
Hailed by critics as "the season's hottest ticket", the first leg of the tour won Paul McCartney some of the best reviews of his career.
Now he is to return to play in a further 20 cities, coast-to-coast from Seattle to Atlantic City.
For "Back In The U.S. ," Paul will play again with the same band that wowed audiences on Driving USA; Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray on guitars, Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums and Wix Wickens on keyboards.
"This band is too good to be just put up on a shelf; we're having too much fun to want to stop playing now", said Paul.
McCartney's eagerness to encore the tour has delighted US promoters keen to take the show beyond the 19 cities played earlier this year.
"Paul is putting fun back in life with this show", said Brad Wavra, Touring VP for promoters Clear Channel, "It will make you dance, it will move you and it will make you believe again in the redemptive power of rock & roll. With some 20 Beatles songs in the set and another dozen of his hits since, seeing this show is like going to the feelgood factory".
"I watched Paul McCartney's show four times on the last leg from strat to finish and I still didn't get enough of this gig", said Randy Phillips, CEO of co-promoters AEG Live, "America is lucky to get a second chance to see one of the finest concerts on the road this year. I wouldn't want to predict if we'll ever see its like again".
"Paul McCartney's show is like nothing you've ever seen him do before; this gig is making history now, and we want to be a proud part of that", said Jeff Trisler for The House Of Blues, promoters of Paul McCartney's Portland date.
"Back In The U.S. " will run from September 21st through to October 29th and will play in cities including Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Hartford, Atlantic City, Boston, Columbus, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Raleigh, New Orleans, Houston, Oklahoma, Portland, Tacoma, Sacramento, San Jose, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Update (7/16/02) More dates, this time listed on Pollstar: Oct. 10, Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio (also listed on Ticketmaster); Oct. 21, Arco Arena, Sacramento; Oct. 22, HP Pavilion, San Jose (listed incorrectly as Compaq Center, San Jose ... the name's been changed). Since Pollstar is a concert industry listing, those dates can be considered fairly accurate. (Thanks to Sir Barb.)
And from Rick Lindholz:
Columnist Kenn Hoffman wrote on 7/11/02 (in the Houston Chronicle): "Unless I've been led down a wrong and winding road, Paul McCartney will announce next week - for sure - that he's coming to Compaq Center (Houston) for a concert in October. Get your wallets ready and stay tuned."
So it looks as though the official announcement will finally be made next week.
Update (7/11/02) Paul will appear on "Entertainment Tonight" today (Thursday). The show could mention the upcoming tour. (Thanks to Patti Murawski for the link and the suggestion.)
Update (7/10/02) Ticketmaster has now removed the Anaheim date from its site. (Thanks to Patti Murawski.)
Update (7/9/02) Another date, this one listed, but not yet on sale, on Ticketmaster.com Monday night: 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Arrowhead Pond at Anaheim (a repeat venue from the first leg of the tour). Tickets: $50.00 - $250.00. (Thanks to Rinji and Dan Cormier.)
Update (7/6/02) Another unconfirmed date: Oct. 12 at New Orleans Arena. (Thanks to Sean Courtney.)
Update (7/4/02) From Mitch Mitchell:Radio station WXRT is reporting that Paul McCartney is planning another show or two in Chicago later on this year. Details forthcoming . . .
Update (7/1/02) A short item on Billboard.com confirms that there will be a second leg, but lists no dates. Rumor has it the dates won't be released until Paul returns from his honeymoon.Meanwhile, Sir Barb Alan Atkinson tells us that www.tickets.com had listing up for a McCartney Oct. 15th Oklahoma City concert at the Ford Center on October 15th for about two days which has now been removed. It gave no word on when tickets go on sale.
Update (6/26/02) The word we get is that the dates on the second leg of the tour are mostly cities Paul didn't hit the last time, along with some of the bigger markets he's already played -- a somewhat logical conclusion after the leak of the Boston date. And it doesn't look like he's coming farther north than Chicago or Boston.
Update (6/25/02) Bill King of Beatlefan found what might have been a sneak peek of the second leg of the tour today on Ticketmaster.com: a Sept. 30 concert at the Fleet Center in Boston that was to go on sale July 13. But the entry, which was there early in the day, was removed later in the day. A second leg schedule would seem to be due any day.Update (6/21/02) Paul jammed with some monkeys recently (and we don't mean Monkees), reports dotmusic. The bizarre session took place at the Language Research Facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Paul played "Eleanor Rigby" with them in the four-hour session, which was filmed for the "Driving USA" DVD. (Thanks to Edward Fields.)
Update II (6/20/02) "Driving USA" DVD is set for release on Nov. 26. (Because of a massive brain lock, we wrote "Wingspan" DVD. Obviously, that's wrong.)
Update (6/18/02) We've gotten more indications (just how we can't say...) that a second leg of a U.S. tour is definitely in the works. We'll let you know more on where and when as soon as we learn the details, but again, those of you whose cities were missed the first time, well, cross your fingers.
Update (6/7/02) Added new review to San Jose.
Update (6/3/02) Paul's America Online interview is also available on the Web.
Launch.com: Documentary on McCartney tour (Thanks to Bob Bowen.) Update (5/30/02) Ray Waddell, in the June 1st print edition of Billboard, reported that the Drivin' USA Tour of North America was "an unqualified critical and commercial success that grossed about $53 million, drew more than 407,000 people, and left a trail of box-office records in its wake. Its top-grossing date was $5.6 million from two shows as Las Vegas' Grand Garden Arena; other big winners were more than $4 million each for doubles at Madison Square Garden in New York, United Center in Chicago,and Reunion Arena in Dallas."
"This tour was inspiring--a pure joy every night," Waddell quoted Brad Wavra, VP of touring for Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE), producers of 22 of Drivin' USA's 27 dates. Concerts West promoted five dates and the two companies co-promoted two shows at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Wavra says the tour worked well on every level: "(Producer) Barry Marshall and (production director) Jerry Stickells really did put together some of the top professionals in the business."
Waddell also confirmed what we reported earlier in the week: that more dates may be scheduled for the U.S. "I think there will be some more," Waddell quoted Wavra. "He will continue working in the fall, and I think the inclination will be to do some more (concerts) in North America, but it's not set in stone. He is getting offers in from all over the world, and Barry Marshall is evaluating those offers, and we're standing by for whenever he gives us some direction. We're clearly hoping for a few more opportunities to let people in other cities in America experience a show like this." (Thanks very much to Sylvia Giustina in Portland.)
Update (5/27/02) Added new review for Atlanta.
For those who were disappointed in not getting to see Paul on the just concluded tour, take heart: a second leg may be in the works. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Sunday that "Paul McCartney is looking at a possible Target Center concert for a second leg of his U.S. tour." (Thanks to Dennis Schultz.)
News archive from the first leg of the Drivin' USA tour
This news item copyright Abbeyrd's Beatles Page
