I was a 20-year-old college student studying near Florence, Italy, when a friend and I went to Venice for the weekend. Among the first things we noticed when we arrived were the numerous posters announcing a concert that night: Paul McCartney and the Wings in Piazza San Marco.
I don’t remember the cost, but we stood among a throng of young Italians dancing to the music coming from the stage at one end of the square while a light show illuminated the cathedral at the other.
It was The Wings Over the World tour. Yet, between every song, Italians screamed out, in English, requests for Beatles songs.
Nearly 50 years later, I attended McCartney’s Got Back tour. Ticket prices were exorbitant, but we had seats and once again I was among the prevalent demographic.
At 83 years old, McCartney remains a consummate entertainer. He knew what fans had come to hear. He announced that there’d be old songs, new songs and a lot in between. There were!
For more than two-and-a-half hours, the audience danced, sang along and were enthralled by McCartney’s music, reminisces and showmanship. Two large screens projected him and his band members. Another screen at the back of the stage featured images connected to the songs including album covers, old photos and a variety of images related to his past.
Bright lights, lasers and fireworks heightened the energy McCartney exuded from the stage. This was the Got Back tour, but for me it was also a reunion of sorts.
The Blue Page Special 
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