“I’ve Had It up to Here”: The One Show That Made Paul McCartney Want The Beatles To Retire From Touring

Paul McCartney is one of the longest-touring musicians. Because of that fact, it seems impossible to imagine that he once wanted nothing to do with the road. The Beatles famously quit touring years before their final breakup. Many factors led to them wiping their hands of live shows, but there was one show in particular that was McCartney’s last straw. Find out which show that was below.

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Paul McCartney “Had It up to Here” During This Beatles Show

Today, there are very few top artists who don’t tour. It’s an expectation from fans. You make an album, then tour it, and on and on. Back in the 1960s, however, several artists were confined to the studio. And, while the Beatles didn’t start that way, they found themselves preferring the writer’s room to the road.

The Beatles’ live shows were a bit of a mess. Without modern technology, the infamous screaming fans all but drowned out their voices. What’s the fun in playing a show if you’re pretty sure no one can hear you anyway? Not to mention that the second you step off stage, you’re fair game for whatever horde is brave enough to run after you. It wasn’t the ideal set of circumstances, to say the least.

In the end, all of that made the Beatles resign themselves to the studio. There was one moment in St. Louis that compounded those issues with the added hurdle of bad weather. McCartney noted this as his last straw.

“There was danger of the stuff blowing us up with the water on the amps,” McCartney once recalled. “Everyone was in a bit of a mood, but we did the show. I said, ‘OK’ and I let off a bit of steam, swore a bit and said, ‘Oh well, I really f***ing agree with you. I’ve f***ing had it up to here too.’”

Blessing in Disguise

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Although the Beatles’ decision to retire from the road likely hurt fans during their heyday, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. Without having to consider playing any of their songs live, the band was free to experiment in the studio. This resulted in the Beatles’ most intricate and compelling works.

Many late-stage Beatles fans may always regret not seeing them sooner, but at least there is still potential to see McCartney on the road, possibly singing a Beatles song or two.

(Photo by Jan Olofsson/Redferns)