On 10/28/02 I went to Staples to see Paul for the 10th time (5 xs in 89 & 3 xs in 93) two this year, I went back in May, set list was the same, Paul went on at 8:50, for someone who is 60 he looked and sounded great each time i see Paul he keeps Getting Better all the time (that would make a great song too bad i don't write).
Paul was in great form, I was on the floor I paid good money from Ticketmaster and would do it again and I work hard for my money. even Thu. People were saying about the tees and jackets and other being high, but after the show they were almost sold out.
Paul did say before he did Yesterday that he had the same guitar he used on the Ed Sullivan show. She's Leaving Home was great. I saw Ray Ramono, David Spade, James Taylor, Sylvester Stallone And George Thorogood, that's the fun of ! living in LA (Note i saw Aerosmith at the Hollywood Bowl 11/3/02, they rocked but Paul puts on a much better show 2 1/2 hrs Vs Aerosmith 2 hr show)
On Wed 10/30/02, I went to Northridge Calif and saw Heather Mills Mccartney. I got to the book store at 7:15 and was told it would move fast (it did not) about 8:05 I asked if they had started yet and was told oh yes we have done 25 people so far but some people have 10 books to sign that's our limit (I would have had 3 as the limit but hey that's just me, so some did not get the book signed). I got to Heather about 9:05 she was tired after a long day she did Larry King that day Went to see Paul. Tue night and book signing Mon night in NY back to LA to see Paul, I gave her a pooh bear in a blue Sgt. Pepper outfit, I had told her I went to see Paul on Mon and she asked me how i liked it? I told her that man sure can put on a show, she said that's why she loved him. If Paul comes back, I would go and see him any time.
(11/5/02) From our good friend Karen Dyson:
Monday, October 28, 2002
Another great performance from "Sir" as he returned to Los Angeles for a second performance in less than a year. This time around most of the typical jaded L.A. crowd must have stayed home, as the audience this time around were completely under the spell of that old McCartney magic, and weren't feeling "too cool" to respond to McCartney's terrific performance. This particular performance didn't differ from any of the those that the rest of the country saw and heard. Same ol' set list, same ol' banter. But damn if you could tell that this band had already performed this same show for several weeks, or had told the same jokes over and over. There wasn't a soul on that stage that appeared to be bored, or as if they were going through the motions. I had no doubt that the band were giving all they had to give as if it was the first night of the tour. And damn if Paul didn't make me laugh at the same jokes that I'd heard him tell last May, and the previous Friday performance at Anaheim. It amazed me how he could repeat these same tales, as if he were telling them for the first time. Paul was so damn cute in his delivery I couldn't help but smile, chuckle, and enjoy the heck out of him. There isn't much more that can be added about the songs and performance to what has already been said. Pretty damn amazing whether McCartney is 60 or not. Like all the other nights on this tour, it came to that bit Paul does going on about trying to remember the lyrics, the chords, the song, and reading all the signs out in the crowd at the same time. This night he affectionally read one of the signs, which touched us all I think; "My Mom Loves You". That pretty much said it all for us "Mom" types. We did get a kick at how Paul kept prounouncing Los Angeles, "LOWS-ANG-GEL-LEES." Upon arriving at the Staples Center, my first time there, we were greeted by a huge outdoor screen on the building where I could see footage featuring Paul. Once inside, there were TV monitors throughout playing the recent Driving Rain videos repeatedly, and a couple of huge screens also. That was the first time I'd ever seen that kind of promotion at a concert. At the door, the security search was well organized, and those in charge were friendly and warm. We were handed the previously reported flyer informing us what a great show we were about to experience, and reminding us of all the ways we could spend our money (did anyone have any left?), not to mention the opportunity to be the first on your block to own the upcoming live CD by paying a mere $20 for it in advance. (Don't get me started!) My party of friends were invited along to join the ETS party and bus ride. The party itself was at The Century Club in Century City, a long bus ride away from Staples Center, downtown. The venue itself wasn't anything to get excited about. In fact I thought it was pretty damn ratty considering what people were paying. The food was quite good though. The Beatle sound alike band was called "Apple", who I hadn't seen before. Not bad, but the continuous silly in-between song banter was enough already! There were far less people than I expected considering it was L.A. There were contest winners that had been flown in from out of town and state, and then there were those who had purchased the package. We were on the same bus as the "paying" customers, which only amounted to maybe 20 or 25 people at the most. Here's wishin', hopin' and prayin' Paul doesn't wait too long until he hits the road again. The reality that he doesn't have that many years left for being on the road is something too unbearable to think about. And Paul, in case you are reading this (wink wink), even though you may have taken our last dime, and tryed as you might to squeeze even more out of us, it has been a thrill, and we thank you. And....Paul...we love you... even inspite of yourself!
Staples Center, Los Angeles CA
From Chris Ridges:
see there are still no reviews of the LA show at Staples, so here goes... After buying six seats for the Anaheim Spring show (from a broker-ouch!), I took it easy on my wallet and bought just two seats for LA last Monday night. I took my 11 year old daughter and we arrived an hour early to avoid traffic, get good parking, check things out, etc.
The time change had happened the night before so we felt like it was 8:00 when it was just 7:00. The show was supposed to start at 8:00 but the pre show performers didn't start until 8:40. It was beautiful though and once they started, there was no thought of time, tired or not. Paul hit the stage at 9:00 wearing a smart lavender sportcoat. The song list was the same as the other "Back in the USA" appearances. Every single song was so good, it's really hard to explain to anyone who missed this tour how profoundly special and emotional it was. Standing out were All My Loving, Let Me Roll It, She's Leaving Home, Can't Buy Me Love, and Let 'Em In. Paul was so into every moment, all I can say is the man is just very real. During the guitar jam in The End one of his runs sort of fell flat, and he looked out to the audience like "Oh well.." This exemplified his un-show-bizz attitude, no posing, artifice or contrivance. About two thirds through, we took the elevator and walked towards the stage, the security lax by now. We were able to find a spot just 25 or 30 feet from Paul, and watched the rest of the show from there. At one point Colleen was waving at Paul and he saw her and waved back!!! Heather was standing and dancing on the floor between the front row and the stage, off to the side. She wore a nice black dress with a large white collar, a very strange looking woman (security?) right behind her. She plugged her ears during the explosions of Live and Let Die, which is understandable as the sound was so very loud. Sound mix was very good, with Paul's bass coming through very clear, and wonderfully FULL sounding. Vocals were good, Paul's voice is so strong and clean. I didn't notice a bad note ever. My Love was a great example of him not only meeting the challenge, but surpassing my expectations. I saw the Beatles in 1966 at Dodger Stadium, and despite what has been written, I not only heard them very clearly (above and beyond the screaming), but THEY WERE GOOD !!! I'll always remember George's solo on Baby's In Black being just perfect. They did 10 songs in 25 minutes and drove off from under the stage in two limos, waving pastel colored handkerchiefs out the windows.The entire time they played, the sky was lit up by flashbulbs, I mean like daylight!! On Monday night, Paul played a good 2 hours and forty minutes, ending with a few signatures from the stage front. He was leaving, and someone asked him to go back near his microphone. He did and found a lifesize cardboard print of his Hofner, which he picked up and signed, making sure it got back to the owner (it appeared it did). We skipped the souveniers, hit the freeway without any traffic and zoomed home. Can't wait for the DVD to relive it all.
From Clint Romag:
This was the fourth time I saw Paul this year and it was just as amazing as the first. This time, I was only 40 feet from the stage which allowed me to see Paul's interaction with the band. He seemed to be having a great time. Heather Mills and two other women, watched the show from the aisle inbetween the first row and the stage. Heather was standing up dancing to the fast songs. Paul would periodically walk over and smile down at her.
Before the show started Sylvester Stallone was escorted to his seat and Ozzy Osbourne waved to the crowd which gave him a loud welcome cheer. The three new songs were great. The live version of "Let 'Em In" had a hard, bouncy groove to it and sounded even better then the original version. "Michelle" was another impressive song with Paul's voice soaring as he sang "I love You." The backing vocals of the band during "She's Leaving Home" sounded perfect as they sang the counter melody that Lennon sang in the original version. I just wish these three new songs were going to be included in the live CD. Overall, Paul sounded great and his band was awesome as usual. I just hope he goes back into the studio soon and records a new album with this band.