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Paul News!!! Macca
Report Archived News Index !!!Some links could be outdated!!! Check out the "Driving U.S.A." and "Back in the U.S." tour pages for
more info about the shows below .
The "Driving USA" band: Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drums, vocals),
Rusty Anderson (lead guitar, vocals),
Brian Ray (guitar, bass, vocals), Paul "Wix" Wickens
(Keyboard, accordion, guitar, vocals)
Official press photographer's
pass
Paul's grand entrance in Chicago
April 10 (United Center). After the pre-show of assorted costumed
characters and circus performers, McCartney appeared behind a
white screen in silhouette, with Hofner raised to a cheering audience.
The screen lifted and after a few waves he launched into "Hello
Goodbye."
Paul treats the Chicago
audience to the concert opener "Hello Goodbye," the
Beatles classic he's never performed live. Both shows at the United
Center were sellouts with 32,000 concertgoers per show. Ticket
prices ranged from $50 - $250. Scalpers were getting $3,000 for
the front row. The VIP ticket was $475.
(Left and Right)
- Paul performs an old Wings favorite, "Jet." (Chicago
April 10)
(Center) - "Hey Jude"
Chicago style (April 11)
In Chicago
Paul attended a benefit for the Center for International Rehabilitation
where Heather Mills was honored. The photos are on the "Meet Paul McCartney" Web Page. Paul also donated
a generous sum of money to the Chicago Firefighters for a memorial
park tribute to fallen colleagues.
VIP pass for
the Anaheim show for the before after parties, May 5, at The Pond.
The National
Car Rental Center in Fort Lauderdale was the host for Paul's last
two shows on the "Driving USA" tour. Tickets ranged
from $51.50 - $251.50 VIP tickets were $425.
While in Florida Paul spent time golfing, eating in gourmet restaurants
on Miami Beach and visiting the famous South Beach, known for
it's all night party clubs and celebrity in-spots.
(Above
and below) Paul
rocks Fort Lauderdale with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band/The End," May 17.
The demand for tickets was so
high for McCartney's last show in Fort Lauderdale, the National
Car Rental Center added 1,500 more seats to bring the attendance
to 16,000. Both shows were sellouts. Paul did something he's never
done at the last show. He picked two female fans out of the audience
to dance onstage during "I Saw Her Standing There."
Paul, the band, and cast of characters
bid farewell on the last night of the tour. Paul was surprised
by the entire crew who came forward with red hearts painted on
placards during the "Long and Winding Road." The outpouring
of love was so intense Paul choked up on the lyrics and apologized
afterwards for his "lousy singing." He thanked the cast
and crew members numbering a hundred for a job well-done.
(Left) - Paul and the band get ready to make
their final bows in Fort Lauderdale, May 18.
(Center) - Paul and band take
their bows at the first show May 17.
(Right) - Paul signs a "Revolver"
album for a lucky fan, May 18 before leaving the stage.
"Driving USA"
Official VIP Party Laminate
At selected
venues VIP Party Packages were available that included a premium
seat, special parking, gourmet vegetarian buffet dinner, open
bar, a black "Driving USA" tour T-shirt not available
anywhere else and a raffle to win an autographed "Driving
USA" tour poster. Prices for the package ranged from $400
- $475.
For more details about the
"Driving U.S.A." tour click here where you will find set lists and
reviews of all the shows.
(Left and
center) - Paul waves to fans
in Indianapolis at the Conseco Fieldhouse, October 5. One of the
unusual songs performed at the sound check was, "I've Got
A Feeling." Paul did not sound check this song anywhere else
on this tour.
(Right) - Paul waves while on
the cell phone as he passes fans at Milwaukee's Bradley Center,
September 21. In the backseat is personal assistant John Hammel
-- The opening show of the "Back in the U.S." tour introduced
for the first time a song Paul never performed live, "She's
Leaving Home."
(Above) - The final notes of "The End."
Paul and the band wave to the Indianapolis crowd at the packed
Conseco Fieldhouse on October 5.
The funniest part of the evening
came when Paul was playing "Lady Madonna." Someone threw
a bra on the stage that fell in front of Brian. At the end of
the song Brian picked it up and gave it to Paul who handled it
like it was a hot potato and flung it back to Brian.
Paul picked up bouquets and signed "A Hard Day's Night"
album for a lucky fan in the third row before he left the stage.
VIP Pass for
the Los Angeles show October 28 at the Staples Center
(Above) - Paul holds the final note of the "The
End" then struts across the stage as the preshow performers
gather for the final bows at Chicago's sold out United Center,
September 24.
Paul mentioned several times
how warm a reception he gets in Chicago and how great the Chicago
audience always is. "People of Chicago, it's a nice day today."
Then he let out a scream, "AHHHHHHH!!!!!! BOOGEY WOOGEY!!!
He referred to the very vocal Chicago audience as "Ella-noise-ians!"
And "A great bunch of people." After "Something"
he said, "Chicago is the third show of our tour and you always
make us feel welcome. You're extremely special CHI-CAG-GO!"
Paul signed a "Driving Rain" CD jacket and a poster
before he left the stage saying "See ya next time!"
For more details about the
"Back in the U.S." tour click
here where you will
find set lists and reviews of all the shows.
If you think Wings
deserves to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
Should WINGS
be nominated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? There's a debate
amongst Beatles/Paul McCartney fans whether Wings is covered by
Paul's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a "solo
artist." Does Wings qualify as a band and are they worthy
with a string of number one hits during the '70s? Should its band
members be recognized for their contributions?
Jorie
Gracen