CLUB SANDWICH 68

Nicholson punching the air during 'Live And Let Die' shouting "YAHHHH, RIGHT ONNNNN!".
            I also watched George Harrison watching Paul from the side of the stage in Earl's Court and although the lad protested he wasn't into gigs any longer the look on his face spoke volumes.
            By the way, I'd just like to say at this point, to the British audiences (Liverpool and Glasgow excepted) who came to watch and sit that, as rock and roll crowds go, you're crap. If you want to see Paul live and appreciated go abroad. London crowds don't deserve a show this good.
            So what was it, -what is it, about Paul live (and, let me add, about Linda, Robbie, Hamish, Blair and Wix - the best live band he's ever played with) that made fans make love in the crowd in Rio, that made 2000 schoolgirls riot at Tokyo airport, that made 7000 French persons riot at a record store in Paris, that made reviewers around the world (and I have the cuttings to prove this) claim he is better than the Beatles, what is it that makes him live so addictive?
            It's Beatles. And I don't mean The Beatles' Songs and I don't mean The Beatles' nostalgia. It's deeper than that.
            Let me explain. When I first worked for Paul, the very first day I was actually on his team, I was given a Press Release to re-write (to see if I could write). The Press Release was headlined "The Paul McCartney World Tour Launches In Oslo". I thought that was rubbish. I re-wrote it saying "Paul McCartney Gets Back". Two people who were then both my boss (not Paul or Linda) said "don't mention the Beatles, he doesn't like to talk about the Beatles".
            I remember thinking, these people are mad. They are off their tree. What the hell are they talking about, there's 14 Beatles songs in the show, how can he not like the Beatles?
            Anyway, I ignored them and kept pushing this Beatles line. NOT because - as everyone else suspected - publicising the Beatles' songs would bring the crowds in (which is true) but because - and I didn't know it then, but I realise it now -my instinct told me that Beatles is what Paul is all about.
            Paul IS Beatles. Wings is Beatles. The Tour is Beatles. Beatles is not a band that once was, Beatles is a spirit that still is. Beatles is an attitude, a way of being. It is looking at the world with love and wanting peace and harmony. Beatles is fun, Beatles is party time but Beatles is also breaking the rules. The Beatles broke the rules when they fought against racism and Vietnam and petty drug laws. Now, through Paul, Beatles still breaks the rules with the vegetarian crusading, the animals cause, the Saving The Planet and all the other unpopular causes that are knocked because the knockers know the causes are right. And playing rock and roll to millions at 51 years old is definitely breaking the rules. Thank God.
            And Beatles is the songs. Listen to them. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE between the spirit, the attitude, of 'Hey Jude' and 'C'mon People'. Nothing has changed. 'Hope Of Deliverance' is 'Let It Be'. 'Looking For Changes' is 'All You Need Is Love'. Beatles is a flame that burnt and changed the world. And Paul is the only one still holding its torch, the only one still lighting the touchpaper again.
            Four years ago he relit that fire. It's burning again now and, if you let it, it'll change this world for a far, far better - and happier - place.
            John Lennon would have been proud of him for that.
            I know I have been. Thanks mate, you did great.