Paul McCartney Jams Beatles Hits With Andrew Watt and Chad Smith

Andrew Watt has built an impressive list of collaborators, including the legendary Paul McCartney. On August 20, McCartney surprised a small audience at the 250-capacity Stephen Talkhouse in the Hamptons by joining Watt and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith on stage. The impromptu performance featured The Beatles’ classic “I Saw Her Standing There” and Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” much to the delight of the crowd.

McCartney’s appearance was unannounced, adding to the thrill of the night. As he took the stage, he instantly commanded the room, leading the band, which included Watt on guitar, Smith on drums, and G.E. Smith from Saturday Night Live, along with a horn section. Watt’s girlfriend, singer-songwriter Charlotte Lawrence, also joined in on vocals during “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Before this spontaneous performance, McCartney had collaborated with Watt on the Rolling Stones’ album Hackney Diamonds, playing bass on the track “Bite My Head Off.” In an interview with The New York Times, Watt shared that he and McCartney had even written an unreleased song together, which started over a simple cup of tea.

“He’s very resourceful,” McCartney said of Watt. Recalling their session, McCartney noted:

“I said, ‘I’d like to show you something on guitar, but I haven’t got my guitar with me.’ And he said, ‘I’ve got a guitar.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, but I’m left-handed.’ He said, ‘Well, I’ve got a left-handed guitar.’”

What began as a casual jam session quickly turned into a complete song. “Suddenly, we had a song. From a cup of tea to a song. Doesn’t it sound easy?” McCartney remarked.

Watt’s recent work includes producing Iggy Pop’s 19th studio album Every Loser, as well as projects with Pearl Jam, Lana Del Rey, Post Malone, The Kid LAROI, and BTS’ Jungkook. His ability to collaborate with such a wide range of artists showcases his versatility and influence in the music industry.