It’s a far cry from the frenzy that swept the nation 59 years ago when Beatle-mania was at its zenith, and McCartney and his fellow Fab Four members touched down under.
In 1964, a staggering 350,000 fans thronged the streets of Adelaide, all vying for a glimpse of the music icon. Today, the scene might be less frenetic, but the enthusiasm remains unwavering.
On Tuesday night, a select audience of devoted fans had the unique opportunity to engage in a candid Q&A session with the 81-year-old music maestro, offering a glimpse into his remarkable journey and the magic that lies behind his timeless compositions.
Reflecting on his life and work, McCartney shared his thoughts on the enduring appeal of his music. He remarked, “It’s quite thrilling, I must say, because when you write a song you never know if it’s going to last. You don’t even know if it’s going to be heard, so for me, the idea that people are still enjoying them 50, 60 years later is very special.”
The intimate gathering also allowed McCartney to recall his first visit to Australia, marked by the deafening screams of adoring fans. “You couldn’t hear anything. We would tell each other jokes, and we’d be laughing, and we couldn’t hear each other because the girls were screaming so loud. It was like a joke,” he reminisced.
Sir Paul McCartney shared insights into The Beatles’ gradual rise to fame, saying, “One of the lucky things with The Beatles is that [fame] was gradual so you kind of got used to it on that level, then that level, then that level — then when it went to the stratosphere, you were kind of used to it.” He acknowledged the initial excitement and the novelty of fame, which they embraced.
However, McCartney candidly expressed that fame’s intensity took a toll. “It was great — until it wasn’t. After a while we got fed up with it, so we retired [from touring] and made Sergeant Pepper,” he reflected, underscoring the band’s decision to step away from the frenzy of touring and embark on a new musical journey with the iconic album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
Unseen photos taken by Paul McCartney show height of Beatlemania
As the curtain rises on his Australian tour, fans eagerly await a night of musical brilliance, knowing that McCartney’s songs and dreams continue to resonate with audiences, transcending generations and time.
Paul McCartney Got Back 2023 tour dates
Wed 18 Oct 2023
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Sat 21 Oct 2023
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Tue 24 Oct 2023
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Fri 27 Oct 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Sat 28 Oct 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wed 1 Nov 2023
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sat 4 Nov 2023
Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast
