What act from today might we be still waxing nostalgic about in some 40 years? Below, enjoy an indie rock playlist dedicated to the Beatles, from some of the epic artists of our generation.
What inspired this tribute playlist? I recently saw Paul McCartney live, and felt inspired by his performance. Here's the story:
The first time The Beatles played in Chicago was on September 5, 1964, at the now defunct International Amphitheater near the Southside stock yards. Reports from the time described their live set as "an unholy bedlam" and "an orgy for teenagers" that allowed "children a mad, erotic world of their own."
During a press conference on that day in 1964, a local reporter asked the band, "Have you fellas given any thought to what you're going to do when the bubble breaks, so to speak?" to which Paul simply laughed. It seems strange now, but this was the apprehension The Beatles faced in essentially creating a genre. Forty-seven years later, Chicago welcomed a Beatle with open arms to the friendly confines of famed Wrigley Field.
Paul McCartney would easily top any festival lineup in the world. His two hour, 45 minute-long sets packed the type of energy rivaled by few contemporaries and boasted a catalogue of classic songs that will likely never be matched. Every moment was a highlight, from sing-a-longs on "Hey Jude" and "Let It Be" to exploding rockers like "Band On The Run" and "Back in the U.S.S.R..," complimented perfectly by lazy summer anthems such as "Dance Tonight" and "Let Me Roll It."
Throughout the set, Paul held up his many guitars he actually used to record many of the songs some 40 years ago. He showed off his trusted Rickenbacker bass, touted as the same one used to record "Paperback Writer" in 1966, before hammering through a raucous, weighty rendition. The Beatles' engineer Geoff Emerick described the original recording as "the first time the bass sound had been heard in all its excitement."
Recounting tales of lost friends, Paul paid honor to those whose time was cut short, jamming out a bit of "Foxy Lady" for Jimi Hendrix to top off "Let Me Roll With It," breaking out a ukulele for "Something" in honor of George Harrison, and closing the Lennon/McCartney-penned "A Day In The Life" with "Give Peace A Chance."
Macca also presented a slew of Wings classics such as "Jet" and the fireworks exploding "Live and Let Die," in honor of the band on the run's 40th anniversary. Sir Paul also sprinkled in some of his most recent release with The Firemen, "Sing The Changes" that featured a giant illuminated visage of President Obama.
Both nights the set eventually overflowed with Beatles classics into encores which featured "Lady Madonna," "Day Tripper," "Get Back," "Birthday," and "I Saw Her Standing There."
Taking in the end of night two from the driveway at the Chicago Fire Department's engine company No. 78 across the street, there was a special energy in the air around Wrigleyville, a true joy seldom seen on these streets. We spotted a father carrying his daughter on his shoulders so she could someday say she'd witnessed a Beatle; the surrounding area had to be completely shut down the crowds grew so large. It may have been the greatest event the grounds have ever hosted.
Both nights, Sir Paul finished with an acoustic rendition of "Yesterday," and a screechingly hectic "Helter Skelter" before closing with the apex of rock -- the B-side medley from Abbey Road: "Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End"
Be sure to check out pics from Paul McCartney's performance here:
[nggallery id=40]
