Watch Paul McCartney Comes Full Circle At Shea Stadium

In July 2008, Billy Joel played his last shows at New York’s famous Shea Stadium before it was torn down. The best part of these shows was when Paul McCartney showed up out of the blue, making his history with the place complete.

A Historic Venue’s Farewell

Shea Stadium, famous for being the site of The Beatles’ historic 1965 performance, was about to close. Recognizing the importance of the location, Billy Joel planned “The Last Play at Shea” shows to give it a fitting send-off. He invited several distinguished guests, such as John Mayer, Garth Brooks, and Tony Bennett, to add even more special touches to the event. However, because of his busy schedule, Paul McCartney’s involvement was still up in the air.

Paul McCartney’s Race Against Time

McCartney was in Quebec City for a performance and faced logistical challenges in reaching New York in time. Determined to join Joel, he coordinated with air traffic control to expedite his flight. Joel shares:

“Well, somebody put in a call who knew some flight controllers and they cleared airspace for his plane to be able to get in earlier.”

Upon landing, McCartney was swiftly escorted through customs and, with a police escort, made it to Shea Stadium in just 11 minutes. Reflecting on the experience, McCartney remarked:

“It was crazy. I’d been on a plane for hours and had no idea how far into the show Billy was. From the minute we left the airport, I think I made it 11 minutes to Shea.”

Amazingly, a man he had previously met in this exact location was waiting for him behind the improvised stage, out of the spotlight. It was the same guy who drove for the Beatles when they first arrived at the stadium decades ago.

An Unforgettable Onstage Reunion

As Joel’s concert neared its end, he introduced McCartney to the astonished audience. Together, they performed “I Saw Her Standing There,” energizing the crowd. McCartney then sang “Let It Be,” which served as a moving way to cap off the momentous occasion. After giving it some thought, Billy Joel said:

“When McCartney showed up, that just tore the house down.”

Full-Circle Moment

For McCartney, returning to Shea Stadium was deeply meaningful. He reminisced, “Shea was a blast! I can’t tell you what it felt like to be back there onstage after all these years.” This unexpected reunion not only honored the stadium’s rich musical history but also delighted fans, creating a memorable send-off for the beloved venue.

McCartney thought it was very important to go back to Shea Stadium. He said:

“Shea was a blast!
“I can’t tell you what it felt like to be back there onstage after all these years.”

After all these years, I have no idea what it felt like to be back on stage. Fans were thrilled by this surprise reunion, which made for a memorable farewell to the beloved stadium and honored its long musical past.

For a visual recap of this remarkable event, watch the video below: