Paul McCartney brought his 2024 Got Back Tour to a close on Thursday, December 19, with an epic concert at The O2 arena in London. The show featured a surprise reunion with McCartney’s Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr and an unexpected guest appearance by Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.
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As previously reported, Starr and Wood both joined McCartney to play some classic Beatles songs. Ringo played drums on “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Helter Skelter,” while Ronnie lent his guitar talents to a version of “Get Back.”
Making the show even more special, McCartney reintroduced his famous original Hofner bass, playing the violin-shaped instrument for the first time in concert in decades. Sir Paul began playing the bass with The Beatles after purchasing it in 1961, but the instrument went missing in 1972. It recently was found in an attic and returned to McCartney.
After the big gig, McCartney, Starr, and Wood all took to their social media pages to post reactions to the event and share some photos and video clips.
McCartney’s Social Media Post
McCartney’s began his message by thanking fans who came out to the two London shows he played (December 18 and 19), and commenting about the just-ended trek.
“Thank you, London!” he wrote. “We’ve been all over South America and Europe and here we are back home for the last shows of the 2024 ‘Got Back’ tour.”
Paul then remarked about the Hofner bass and his two special guests.
“Making its first stage appearance in 50 years… is my original bass!” he wrote. “I haven’t played it in 50 years and what is more, here’s a special guest, a Rolling Stone: Ronnie Wood. And another surprise for you – the mighty, the one and only, Ringo Starr!”
The post was accompanied by two photos of McCartney onstage with Starr, one of him with Wood, and one of Paul and his band taking a bow in front of the large crowd.
Ringo Starr’s Message
Ringo, meanwhile, posted a brief note along with a photo of him and Paul onstage with their arms around each other and flashing peace signs to the audience.
“I had a great time with my old mate. You know who,” Starr wrote. “I send you a peace and love Merry Christmas Ringo.”
The show marked the first time that McCartney and Starr had performed together in concert since a 2019 Macca show at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. At that event, Ringo also played drums on “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Helter Skelter.”
Ronnie Wood’s Note
Wood posted a message that also included three photos and two video clips.
“Simply had a wonderful time playing ‘Get Back’ with my good friends @paulmccartney and @ringostarrmusic at @theo2london last night,” Ronnie Wrote. “Hope everyone there had the best time!”
The photos included one of McCartney with his arm around Wood during the show, one of Ronnie and Paul backstage with their wives, and another backstage pic featuring Wood and Starr flashing peace signs. The first video shows Wood at the side of the stage waiting for Paul to introduce him. The second clip captures Wood heading onto the stage as McCartney introduces him, then kicking into “Get Back” with the band. The videos were shot by Paul’s daughter Mary.
Starr’s Upcoming Tour Plans
McCartney has yet to announce whether he plans to head back on the road in 2025. Similarly, Wood’s band, The Rolling Stones, haven’t yet revealed if they will tour next year, although Ronnie has hinted that they may mount a European trek.
As for Starr, he has a fairly busy 2025 planned.
As previously announced, Ringo will be releasing a new studio album titled on January 10, a collection of country tunes titled Look Up.
Starr will celebrate Look Up’s release with two star-studded concerts, on January 14 and 15, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. He also recently announced a new 2025 U.S. tour with his All Starr Band.
That trek currently features 10 confirmed dates. It kicks off June 12 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is scheduled through a June 25 show in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tickets for Starr’s shows are available now via various outlets, including StubHub.
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