The ban that Israel's government has put on The Beatles performance in the 60s disappointed not only Israelis, but many Jewish people who were part
of The Beatles phenomena, like their legendary manager Brian Epstein. Over
four decades later, Paul McCartney represented the Fab Four on stage in Park
HaYarkon, Tel Aviv, and rocked the audience with a great show.
Negotiations for the
concert have been tough, but after a series of
rumors and denials the deal was finally set. Ticket offices were
stormed on opening, 50,000 tickets were sold eventually,
filling the park with fans and music lovers.
Not everybody was excited though. Some pro-palestinian activists tried to discourage Paul from
coming to Israel. When petitions didn't work, enemies of Israel have
resorted to violence, and issued death threats against Macca. But Paul did not give in.
Accompanied by his
girlfriend Nancy Shevell, Paul arrived in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night (September
23rd).
He stayed in Tel Aviv where he posed for journalists, spoke with fans and gave out autographs the next morning.
Then he visited Jerusalem and
Bethlehem where he sang for Palestinian kids
and lit candles in the church where Jesus Christ is believed to
have been born. Outside he was cheered by pilgrims who sang Yellow Submarine in Spanish.
Then in the evening Paul and the band did a rehearsal on the huge stage that was built specially for the event.
The next day Paul rested at the hotel, while the fans started gathering in the park in the afternoon. Those who came in
early were lucky to hear the sound-check about 4 hours before the show.
The equipment that McCartney's team and the producers have brought to
the park was most impressive. A huge stage was built. A screen behind
the stage displayed video clips, two other huge screens to the sides of
the stage showed live pictures of Paul and the band for everybody in
the park to see.
A little after 8pm Paul entered the stage - 'Shalom Tel Aviv' and the show kicked off with 'Hello
Goodbye'. Then Paul played Wings classic 'Jet', and electrifying version of 'Drive My Car'.
After that McCartney played a less known tune from his last album ('Memory Almost Full') 'Only Mama Knows'.
Back in time to early Beatles days, Paul exercised his Hebrew by introducing a song "from the old days" and played 'All My Loving'.
Next one was 'Flaming Pie', title song from a decade-old album, then 3
more Wings numbers followed: rocking 'Let Me Roll It', sentimental 'My Love' and nostalgic 'Let 'Em In'.
Sitting down by the piano, Paul announced 'My Love' in Hebrew. 'This one is dedicated to Linda'. The song got a special meaning - Linda McCartney, Paul's beloved wife for 30 years died of breast cancer in 1998. Linda was Jewish and September 24 would have been her 67th birthday.
Paul stayed at the piano to play 'The Long And Winding Road'. It was a
beautiful warm night in Tel Aviv, but only 24 hours later, unusually
for the season, pouring rain washed away the streets of Tel Aviv,
leaving "pools of tears crying for the day", the unforgettable day when
one of the XXth century greatest artists performed here.
During the concert Paul has played his famous Hoffner bass, an electric
guitar, an acoustic guitar and a ukulele. First song on the ukulele was
'Dance Tonight' from his last album.
Having switched to the acoustic guitar now and alone on the stage, Paul played a variation of
Bach's Bourrée that turned into the 'White Album' classic 'Blackbird'.
Next was a touching 'Calico Skies', from 'Flaming Pie', another tribute
to the late Lady Linda McCartney.
Then to cheer up the spirits Paul played 'I'll Follow The Sun', one of
the first Beatles hits, and then a popular 70's number with the Wings -
'Mrs. Vandebilt', that made the crowds go "oh-eh-oh". Next, to sheer delight of the audience, he played series of Beatles numbers that started off with 'Here, There and Everywhere' and 'Eleanor Rigby'.
Paul has honored the memory of late George Harrison and played 'Something' with a ukulele, while the screen behind him was showing images of George.
Then it was the turn of John Lennon to receive a tribute from the fellow Beatle. Backed by images of English gardens, Paul played 'A Day In A Life' and then 'Give Peace a Chance'.
The excited multi-thousand audience in Tel Aviv sang along the refrain. But suddenly Paul stumbled - symbolically
reminding of the obstacles on the road to peace and co-existence. He regained balance and carried on with the show in a second. Most of the
audience was so ecstatic that they hardly even noticed the accident.
The concert really entered high gear now. Wings' 'Band On The Run' was followed by 'Back In The USSR', especially well received by the representatives of over a million former Soviet Union immigrants who live in Israel.
'I've Got A Feeling' rocked the park, but the show reached its apogee during 'Live And Let Die' - fireworks went off in front and behind the stage, the effect was completely breathtaking.
Very popular in Israel 'Let It Be' was next, and then 'Hey Jude',
during which Paul enjoyed the sing-along game and conducted the audience in Hebrew - "guys only", "ladies only", "all together".
Both anchors consisted of Beatles songs: first one had 'Lady Madonna', 'Get Back' and 'I Saw Her Standing There' and the second one - 'Yesterday' and 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band/The End'. The crowds sang along, clapped and tried everything to keep McCartney on stage.
But there's a turn for everything, so Paul once again thanked the audience in Hebrew, wished the people Happy New Year and Ramadan, then "jumped into a limousine" on his way back home...
And all the people who attended the show will carry this unforgettable day in their hearts forever. Thank you, Paul, for the songs and the kindness and for the courage to come over.
