Almost Seeing the Beatles….
I was late in climbing on the Beatles train. Growing up in the 1970s, I was hyper-focused on Bruce Springsteen, a worthy obsession to be sure but I just didn’t “get” the Beatles. Their music seemed unappealing, even juvenile… then I got older, and the magic of their work hit me like a 2x4! The Beatles were not only brilliant but so far ahead of their time. Their music embraced multiple styles and techniques, all with intricate lyrics and melodies that invited multiple plays. No wonder it has captured multiple generations and had those early fans screaming their heads off. The boys from Liverpool pioneered music videos, merchandising and stadium shows, forging the path that others have followed. Fast forward to 2025, I suddenly had the opportunity to see the last two members of the Fab Four: Ringo Starr was playing the 1,800 seat Venetian Theater in Las Vegas and several weeks later, Paul McCartney was at the 60,000 seat Allegiant Stadium. Miraculously, I got tickets to both and off my wife and I went.
At The Venetian theater, we found ourselves in the front row – a lucky break I missed in the fog of ordering tickets online. Ringo is an 85-year-old fireball. He literally leapt onto the stage flashing his trademark peace signs then drummed, danced or sang through a 21-song set. He delivered whimsical Beatles hits like “Yellow Submarine”, “Octopus’s Garden”, “I Wanna Be Your Man” and his show-closer, “I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends”. The legend was backed up by several bona fide rockstars – Toto’s Steve Lukather, Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart and Men at Work’s Colin Hay, each of whom took over the mic to sing their most notable hits as Ringo happily pounded away on one of two drum sets. At one point Ringo noticed two older women dressed in Sgt. Pepper gear next to me and swaggered over to say, “Oh, we’ve got a couple of Beatles’ fans here…” The women squealed in delight. After 63 years in the public eye, Ringo has stagecraft down, bantering easily with the crowd, making jokes and riding the wave of his iconic rock n roll cred.
Three weeks later we were in the mammoth Allegiant Stadium, home to the Las Vegas Raiders football team. As stadiums go, this one is modern, spanking clean and easy to navigate – especially with my 82-year-old Portuguese mother-in-law in tow. As beloved an international figure as Ringo is, McCartney is in a whole other league – the scope of his show was enormous, his expansive stage flanked by huge video screens. By the time the concert started, the venue was packed to the rafters. McCartney opened with a screaming “Help!” and didn’t let up for almost three hours – at 43 it would be impressive enough but at 83, it was truly remarkable. Master showman that he is, McCartney knew the crowd was here because of his musical past and he didn’t disappoint, delivering multiple Beatles treats – “Got to Get You Into My Life”, “Drive My Car”, “Getting Better”, “I’ve Just Seen a Face”, “Love Me Do”, “Now and Then”, “Lady Madonna” , “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, “Get Back”, “Let it Be”, “Hey Jude”, “Helter Skelter” and several others, ending with – appropriately - “The End.” Add in WINGS hits like “Jet”, “Let ‘Em In” and “Band on the Run” and you had what McCartney himself promised: “The biggest party in Vegas.” However, if it were an actual party, the neighbors would’ve called the cops over “Live and Let Die” which employed every concert visual trick in the book: jets of orange flame, laser beams, indoor pyrotechnics and a lightshow that would put a rocket launch to shame. When combined with the iconic James Bond track itself, the result was a stunning live experience that few (if any) other bands could match.
Throughout the 35-song show, McCartney’s former bandmates were never far away... “Let’s hear it for John” he said at one point as images of John Lennon flashed on the screens. When handed a ukelele for “Something”, he mentioned George Harrison had given it to him, then said, “Let’s hear it for George.” Both mentions got thunderous cheers. Although the vibe was upbeat if not euphoric -- we were in the presence of a Beatle after all -- McCartney did slow things down with “Here Today” a song he wrote after John Lennon was killed, musing about how hard it was back then to tell a friend that you loved him. “Now that I’ve plunged the mood to zero,” McCartney moved onto another Beatles tune, “Now and Then” and cranked the energy level back up with the Beatles classic “Lady Madonna.” The few times I could peel my eyes from the stage, I saw my mother-in-law singing along. English was a challenge for her, but not when it came to Beatles’ lyrics!
At one point McCartney peered over to read various signs people were holding up. One read “I Was at Shea in 1965.” “Oh, so was I,” he shot back to her delight. Another sign read “Sign My Butt”, McCartney laughed noting, “That might be pushing it.” The unconditional love the audience had for McCartney was obvious from the opening notes and it was returned from the stage in a relationship 65 years young.
What struck me most about the epic show was how for almost 3 hours, the turmoil rippling across the country was the farthest thing from my mind. The president, the Supreme Court, the midterms, even dismal world affairs just didn’t matter. What DID matter was being in that stadium at that time. Same held for Ringo’s more intimate show several weeks earlier. Ringo and Paul are two master showmen at the top of their game. Even in their 80s, both knew the assignment and delivered masterfully, doing what music was meant to do - soothe the soul.
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I was on the Beatles train from the time I saw them on the Ed Sullivan show, on my family's black and white TV. My father thought it was simplistic noise, and they would be forgotten in a week.
They have always been a favorite of mine, but often in the background. I was more passionate about other music of the 70s, and listened to the Beatles less, but I always loved them.
Now, in my late 60s, I have developed an unfortunate habit of spending too much time scrolling Instagram. But one benefit has been watching videos from musicians who explore Beatles songs slowly, one chord at a time, explaining the music theory (which I don't get), and pointing out bits that are just heartbreakingly beautiful. This has given me a renewed love and appreciation of the Beatles. I always knew that Paul was a musical genius, but now even moreso. And I have a new appreciation of the beauty and complexity of John's music. And Ringo's subtle and effective drumming. (No help needed with George, I've always thought that he wrote some of their most ethereally beautiful and ecstatic songs. Have you given a listen to Apple Scruffs lately? Do yourself a favor.)