On Saturday night at the “Changes Begin Within” benefit concert at Radio City Music Hall, Paul McCartney delighted the crowd by performing with Ringo Starr. The two got on famously — it was almost as if they’d worked together before.
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“At this point we would like to introduce somebody to you who you know, you’ve heard his name,” McCartney said, after treating the audience to a full set of Beatles, Wings, and solo material. “He’s going to come out here and play you a little song this joyful night. Ladies and gentlemen: Billy Shears!”
Starr took the stage to perform his classic vocal part on “With A Little Help From My Friends,” then got behind the drum kit as the night’s other performers — Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, Moby, Ben Harper, Donovan, Bettye LaVette and Mike Love — tackled the super-rare Beatles/McCartney tune “Cosmically Conscious.” Which, incidentally sounds a lot like the chorus to another Beatles tune (see video below).
McCartney wrote the track, of which an excerpt can be heard on his 1993 album Off The Ground, during the Beatles’ infamous 1968 trip to India. “Maharishi would always say that he wanted everyone to be cosmically conscious and he’d do his little giggle.” McCartney informed the crowd. “He’d also say, ‘It’s such a joy.'”
Starr and McCartney capped things off with “I Saw Her Standing There,” one of the Beatles’ earliest and most well-loved hits. Other highlights of the night: Sheryl Crow singing George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” and McCartney’s performance of “Here Today,” his touching tribute to John Lennon.
In related news, George Harrison will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 14.
Here’s what you missed:
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