The Paul McCartney concert on Thursday, June 16, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford was more than just a show.
It was a three-hour magical mystery birthday tour of the last 65 years in the life of a music legend who still very much has it.
Rockers, ballads, odes to Beatles who have passed on, visits by Jersey friends Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, two stadium “Happy Birthday” serenades, rain (not the Beatles song) and more made it a night to remember.
The thing is, McCartney, who will be 80 on Saturday, June 18, seemed to get stronger as the night went on. Macca delivered throaty yelps and jives on “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five” and hearty howls on “Let Me Roll It.”
His yells on “Helter Skelter” still unnerve. McCartney ran up the riser to play piano on “Let 'Em In,” and kicked and skipped as he and his band, with Springsteen, were taking their bows as midnight approached.
McCartney, who wears his still considerably wavy hair below the ears, is forever spry. 80 is fine when you look 39,” read one fan's sign.
McCartney was a bit more talkative compared to previous tours, setting up and following songs with a few minutes of dialogue.
“If you got something you want to say to someone and you're thinking I'll put it off to another time — don't,” McCartney said. “Get it said. Why not?”