Saw Macca for the first time in 2002, two consecutive nights in Osaka. His voice was top-notch, hitting the high notes effortlessly.
Then I saw him in the UK in 2009, 2011 (twice), 2015 (twice) and 2018. Through these years, his voice had been gradually declining, little by little, but it didn’t bother me that much while the show was on. Macca’s vocal performance was still strong enough to keep the show going.

For the last few years, I checked the YouTube footage of his recent shows from time to time. His voice was shot, sounding terrible. As More Hot Rock rightfully commented above, it is of a “quivering old man”. And I felt sad, too. I even felt sorry for him.

Nevertheless, in December 2024, I decided to give him one more chance and snapped up a last-minute ticket for Manchester night #2. Was I disappointed? Not at all. Quite the opposite. For two and a half hours, I was in a state of euphoria as was everybody else, presumably, in the building. Honestly, his voice didn’t bother me AT ALL. That was the best concert experience among the forty-odd gigs and music festivals I attended last year hands down.

There is something about being there that cannot be fully experienced or replaced by the recording, be it audio or visual. Enjoyable as it is, it is not a real live experience per se.

My two cents.

Was anyone here at IORR lucky enough to be in NYC to get into any of the three small club shows this month?

~"Love is Strong"~

Paul doing Golden Slumbers on SNL 50.

That was a little rough to listen to, but man he's still doing it at 82. Almost makes me appreciate the Stones tour last year even more, for the most part did not sound their age.

Seen him 4 times between '93-'16 and he was great every time.

One time had a funny incident, he brought out a guitar and said it was the same one used on the Ed Sullivan show. The camera zoomed in on a Detroit Red Wings sticker on it for some reason and the crowd started to boo as that was one of our rival hockey teams. He looked kinda stunned and said "not sure what that's all about" then went into 'Yesterday'. I think he thought St. Louis hated Ed Sullivan.

All things considered - Paul sounded great! Loved it!

"SNL50: The Anniversary Special", February 16

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kovach
That was a little rough to listen to, but man he's still doing it at 82. Almost makes me appreciate the Stones tour last year even more, for the most part did not sound their age.

I had the same thought; I wondered, is that Sir Paul's voice on any given night these days, or was that his voice after 3 club gigs within 4 days last week?

I think he did the same "Golden Slumbers" medley at the 3 gigs. Did any IORRs get to see one of those Bowery Ballroom NYC gigs, and was that what he sounded like then?

We’re going to hear more imperfections in his voice in that atmosphere. As opposed to a stadium especially while having a few drinks beforehand haha. In 2022 at MetLife sure there were moments but it was smoothed over by his band. If you get a chance to see him again, do it. You’ll be glad you did once it’s all over

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DGee

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kovach
That was a little rough to listen to, but man he's still doing it at 82. Almost makes me appreciate the Stones tour last year even more, for the most part did not sound their age.

I had the same thought; I wondered, is that Sir Paul's voice on any given night these days, or was that his voice after 3 club gigs within 4 days last week?

I think he did the same "Golden Slumbers" medley at the 3 gigs. Did any IORRs get to see one of those Bowery Ballroom NYC gigs, and was that what he sounded like then?

That’s how he sounded on it when I saw him a couple of years ago. That’s how his voice has been for a few years now, if you check any footage from, say, 2018, it’s about the same.

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tommycharles

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DGee

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kovach
That was a little rough to listen to, but man he's still doing it at 82. Almost makes me appreciate the Stones tour last year even more, for the most part did not sound their age.

I had the same thought; I wondered, is that Sir Paul's voice on any given night these days, or was that his voice after 3 club gigs within 4 days last week?

I think he did the same "Golden Slumbers" medley at the 3 gigs. Did any IORRs get to see one of those Bowery Ballroom NYC gigs, and was that what he sounded like then?

That’s how he sounded on it when I saw him a couple of years ago. That’s how his voice has been for a few years now, if you check any footage from, say, 2018, it’s about the same.

His voice has been on a noticeable decline for a while. When I saw him in 2012 and 2013 there was only a hint of warble here and there, but by 2019 he was sounding a little shaky, and post-covid he's really sounding his age, though some shows sound better than others. He's really straining on The Beatles stuff. Just lower the key already, Paul!

Let it be ..........



ROCKMAN

His voice sounded terrible on SNL last night. Having said that, again, not a defense, his voice sounded terrible on Maybe I'm Amazed on the SNL 40th anniversary. It didn't sound that bad on tour. Sure, it could be beyond repair now, but its really not super noticeable at the shows, even though that sounds impossible when you hear it loud and clear on TV.

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RollingFreak
His voice sounded terrible on SNL last night. Having said that, again, not a defense, his voice sounded terrible on Maybe I'm Amazed on the SNL 40th anniversary. It didn't sound that bad on tour. Sure, it could be beyond repair now, but its really not super noticeable at the shows, even though that sounds impossible when you hear it loud and clear on TV.

That was the roughest I've heard. He's definitely fried. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and then Sunday night - might be a bit too much at 82.

At least it's real unlike, oh, Roger Waters.

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Rockman
Let it be ..........

I think that the point is that Paul McCartney will NEVER 'let it be'. He's been performing since his mid-teens, and has (arguably) been above averagely successful at it.

He's doing what he does, and has the habit & lifetime experience/practice at it, and he clearly loves what he does.

He'll be performing for as long as he can get his body on stage.

(It's just the same for his ability to do the 'PR' that comes with being a Big Star. In my own personal experience of interaction with him, he's very very switched on to what he does 100% of the time.)

Captain Corella

I like your comments CaptainCorella. If there's more concerts I hope to be there. He'll probably out last me and I'm 20 years younger.

Cut the man some slack!
That SNL performance was great IMO

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GasLightStreet
That was the roughest I've heard. He's definitely fried. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and then Sunday night - might be a bit too much at 82.

You're right, that's a lot for anybody regardless of age, much less the number of sings he sings in concert.

I think Paul is trying to be overly accommodating. I don't want to make Beatle-Stone comparisons because I like them both. But certainly Paul loves being Paul, and he's not letting The Beatles legacy slide either. Personally I love that about him. After all there's only 2 people that can say they were Beatles. Not a bad thing to be. Imagine responding to questions about what do you do.

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frankotero
I think Paul is trying to be overly accommodating. I don't want to make Beatle-Stone comparisons because I like them both. But certainly Paul loves being Paul, and he's not letting The Beatles legacy slide either. Personally I love that about him. After all there's only 2 people that can say they were Beatles. Not a bad thing to be. Imagine responding to questions about what do you do.

I think a certain Pete Best may have something to say about that!

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Valeswood
Cut the man some slack!
That SNL performance was great IMO

No cutting slack here…we only cut bait

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Big Al
I think a certain Pete Best may have something to say about that!

For Pete's sake! But seriously I don't really consider him part of The Beatles, the story yes but nothing more. Not sure what to believe as far his departure but if it was cruel I'd feel empathy.

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frankotero

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Big Al
I think a certain Pete Best may have something to say about that!

For Pete's sake! But seriously I don't really consider him part of The Beatles, the story yes but nothing more. Not sure what to believe as far his departure but if it was cruel I'd feel empathy.

Oh, I know what you mean! He was a ‘Beatle’, just not one at the point the contracts were signed. One may have had pity, but he did very well out of Anthology 1 and he’s forever being interviewed, etc. The story of his departure is forever jumbled: lousy drumming (he wasn’t great), or his mother’s pregnancy by Neil Aspinall? Thing is, they picked Ringo, only for George Martin to replace him with session drummer, Alan White! Who knows??

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Big Al

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frankotero

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Big Al
I think a certain Pete Best may have something to say about that!

For Pete's sake! But seriously I don't really consider him part of The Beatles, the story yes but nothing more. Not sure what to believe as far his departure but if it was cruel I'd feel empathy.

Oh, I know what you mean! He was a ‘Beatle’, just not one at the point the contracts were signed. One may have had pity, but he did very well out of Anthology 1 and he’s forever being interviewed, etc. The story of his departure is forever jumbled: lousy drumming (he wasn’t great), or his mother’s pregnancy by Neil Aspinall? Thing is, they picked Ringo, only for George Martin to replace him with session drummer, Alan White! Who knows??

There was a time I genuinely thought Pete was mistreated and it was unfair. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, it only feels unfair because the Beatles got so big. Having said that, over the years, and its not really anything Pete did, but everyone just realizes the Beatles ARE those 4 people. People can say Ringo is shit, but obviously he is not, and the spirit of that band is the alchemy of those 4 specific people. You replace any one of them and I think its very different. They were all incredibly distinct, in a way just not all bands are.

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TW2019
We’re going to hear more imperfections in his voice in that atmosphere. As opposed to a stadium especially while having a few drinks beforehand haha. In 2022 at MetLife sure there were moments but it was smoothed over by his band. If you get a chance to see him again, do it. You’ll be glad you did once it’s all over

I have that same bit of advice for anyone who has not ever seen performers like the Stones, or Elton John, or any other classic rock giant whose performances I have not seen diminished by advancing age. Jagger is a total outlier; he works extremely hard at not aging, and it shows. Elton, on the other hand, looks older than his 77 years old as he walks across the stage. But behind the piano, he is 27 again; he hasn't lost a thing.

I never saw Frank Sinatra or Maria Callas. I would have paid top dollar to see either of them on the day before they died, when they barely had any voice or breath left. Just so I could say I saw and heard those 20th Century giants.

But for those giants who I did see, and was enthralled by, before age began to significantly subtract from their powers? I never thought I would say this but, for those artists, I would rather not see the decline. I don't really want to show up for that.

Remember a young Charlie Watts thinking that maybe the Stones would get to an age where they "might look pretty silly up there?" Approaching the 50th anniversary of my first Stones show, there were times when they were in top form and other times when they were not. But I can honestly say that I have never seen the Stones look silly, or old, or embarrassing to themselves or their families or their fans. When I do, that's when I will stop going to see them.

God Bless Sir Paul, I pray I have half his energy when I am 82! Yes, if you have never seen him, by all means go buy a ticket so you can say you had. He may be your Sinatra, or Callas. To see the man who wrote "Let it Be" or "Yesterday" actually deliver it live is breathtaking and bound to bring tears to your eyes. Do it in a big stadium, where the spectacular effects and collective love-fest will mask whatever weaknesses age may have brought to his voice.

But after SNL 50, I think he and Paul Simon have given me enough. I don't need to watch it fade away.

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RollingFreak

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Big Al

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frankotero

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Big Al
I think a certain Pete Best may have something to say about that!

For Pete's sake! But seriously I don't really consider him part of The Beatles, the story yes but nothing more. Not sure what to believe as far his departure but if it was cruel I'd feel empathy.

Oh, I know what you mean! He was a ‘Beatle’, just not one at the point the contracts were signed. One may have had pity, but he did very well out of Anthology 1 and he’s forever being interviewed, etc. The story of his departure is forever jumbled: lousy drumming (he wasn’t great), or his mother’s pregnancy by Neil Aspinall? Thing is, they picked Ringo, only for George Martin to replace him with session drummer, Alan White! Who knows??

There was a time I genuinely thought Pete was mistreated and it was unfair. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, it only feels unfair because the Beatles got so big. Having said that, over the years, and its not really anything Pete did, but everyone just realizes the Beatles ARE those 4 people. People can say Ringo is shit, but obviously he is not, and the spirit of that band is the alchemy of those 4 specific people. You replace any one of them and I think its very different. They were all incredibly distinct, in a way just not all bands are.

I read a book that had a chapter about how different people view success and happiness.

It contrasted Pete Best and Dave Mustaine.

Pete Best says NOT being kicked out of The Beatles wouldn't have given him the happy, successful, family life he's enjoyed most of his life.

Dave Mustaine on the other hand wanted to eclipse Metallica (the band he was kicked out of) and despite selling 20M albums with his band Megadeth considers himself a failure for not selling 100M.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-02-20 18:08 by kovach.

Also guys, the fifth Beatle played a small part

Lennon and McCartney persuaded stuart Sutcliffe to buy a Hofner bass guitar, and in May of 1960, Sutcliffe joined Harrison, McCartney, and Harrison, who were then known as the Silver Beatles (from May 1960 to August 1961).Sad to say he passed away in April 1962.

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DGA35

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babyblue
I saw Paul in 2019 he sounded very good in Vancouver. Anyone know if he’s touring N America this summer.

2012 I thought it was a once in a lifetime concert, first time in Van since 64. Then he came back in 2016 so I thought great, one more chance. Then 2019. 3 times in 7 years! I actually commented to the girl I went to the 2019 concert that I thought his voice was alright, despite all the negative online comments I'd read previously.
I'm hoping he comes back one last time. BC Place with the roof open like Stones last summer!

I saw him in 2012 and there was definite decline in his voice, but it didn't detract from the show. I noticed that despite struggling to hit the high notes, he attacked the songs like a warrior, just no fear. He could definitely have had an easier time if he picked some slightly easier material. I just looked it up on setlistfm as well, 38 songs. Just remarkable.

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treaclefingers

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DGA35

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babyblue
I saw Paul in 2019 he sounded very good in Vancouver. Anyone know if he’s touring N America this summer.

2012 I thought it was a once in a lifetime concert, first time in Van since 64. Then he came back in 2016 so I thought great, one more chance. Then 2019. 3 times in 7 years! I actually commented to the girl I went to the 2019 concert that I thought his voice was alright, despite all the negative online comments I'd read previously.
I'm hoping he comes back one last time. BC Place with the roof open like Stones last summer!

I saw him in 2012 and there was definite decline in his voice, but it didn't detract from the show. I noticed that despite struggling to hit the high notes, he attacked the songs like a warrior, just no fear. He could definitely have had an easier time if he picked some slightly easier material. I just looked it up on setlistfm as well, 38 songs. Just remarkable.

Let's face it, he does what he does because he's still having fun doing it. He doesn't have to do 30 songs either but he does for the same reason.

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