McCartney Rocks the "Late Show"

(CBS)  It's been 45 years since Paul McCartney and the other Beatles made their famous American debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

On Wednesday evening, the former Beatle and Grammy-award winning artist returned to the New York City venue as a first-time guest of talk show host David Letterman and made history again.

He serenaded screaming fans along Broadway from atop the marquee during the "Late Show" taping. Fans waited outside the theater for hours before the taping began, some clutching Beatles memorabelia, waving "I Love Paul" signs or wearing shirts emblazoned with the Fab Four, waiting to see McCartney play.

"Just the memory of being here was great...it was kind of scary the first time," McCartney told Letterman.

McCartney, who was just 22 years old at the time, remembered being impressed with the size of the Ed Sullivan Theater, comparing it to an "apartment block."

Popular overseas before they came to the States, the Beatles set off a frenzy with their Ed Sullivan appearance in February of 1964. It followed them throughout their U.S. tour that year.

Paul McCartney Rocks Broadway

Letterman recalled Beatles fans being "crazed with anticipation for their arrival" and said it reminded him of "four guys on a very long spring break."

"It certainly seemed like that," McCartney said. "By the time we came here, we were ready for it. There was Miami, beach, sand and girls - come on!"

The Beatles, which broke up in 1970, included John Lennon, who was gunned down outside his New York home in 1980; George Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001; and Ringo Starr, who survives with McCartney.

McCartney, who said he was closest to George Harrison, said that the dynamics of the band changed from time to time.

McCartney also recalled his collaboration with Michael Jackson on the "Thriller" album in 1982.

"It was great; we had a great time," McCartney said.

He described how he was at home at Christmastime when the phone rang and "a little voice said, 'It's Michael. Do you want to make some hits?'"

Although McCartney called their collaboration great, he admitted their friendship "actually kind of fell apart later" when Jackson purchased the Beatles music catalog.

At the end of the show, McCartney performed on top of the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee, looking out over Broadway. The impromptu concert, which included hits from his stints with the Beatles and Wings, continued for several songs after the Letterman cameras stopped rolling.

McCartney has been hailed for his work with his band, Wings, as well as for his solo projects. He recently released "Electric Arguments," his third album release under the name "The Fireman."

McCartney will begin an exclusive series of shows across the United States, beginning July 17 at CitiField in New York City, and then heading to Washington, D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Tulsa before winding up in Dallas on Aug. 19.

[Rightthough]

Michael Jackson alleged fixation on boys was the Media?s fixation. Michael loved all children and they followed him everywhere because he made them feel special and loved. Children who are molested FEAR their molester. MJ opened up his home, the Neverland Ranch (an amusement park), to everyone to come and spend a day and to enjoy for FREE. MJ gave more MONEY to charities than anyone else. That does not sound like a self-absorbed and very isolated emotional person. After all that MJ gave to the WORLD, his accusers and the media destroyed this man's career, his fan base, his reputation, which broke his heart and ultimately killed this very talented, gentle, loving human being.

[redhen17745]

I love Paul McCartney dearly, but I think he was a bit confused on the Letterman Show. He mentioned about having to sing Yesterday by himself without the band, as though it took place on the Sullivan Show February 9, 1964. Yesterday wasn't released until 1965. That fateful night, they sang "All My Lovin'", "I want to hold your hand", "She Loves you" and "Till there was you". Was anyone else who watched the Sullivan Show in 1964 scratching their heads the other night when Paul mentioned singing "Yesterday"?

[Stormy500]

How very cool the outside show, and that it continued after the Letterman taping. Lucky, lucky people who were able to be there. I think he and John Lennon probably had the classic brother love/hate/competition type of relationship, the kind only the two of them could appreciate and outsiders have no business in. But George Harrison was the best man.

[ianlou]

I loved the comment Paul made at George Harrisons wake, he said:
George always traveled with two ukuleles, one for himself and one for anyone who would play with him.

[edgy44]

The sad thing is, I was watching "The Three Lives of Thomasina" on Walt Disney instead of Ed Sullivan. We didn't have remote controls in those days, so you didn't get up to see what was on the other channel. No one see's Thomasina anymore, and the Beatles have been re-run to death, so I take pride in seeing a nice program that is now a virtual unknown. My life is better for it. Thanks NBC!

[beadbop]

Yeah, that is just you, bushbaby101.

Paul McCartney and the Beatles were formed in 1960, they released their first single in 1962, and full-blown Beatlemania began in 1963. Michael Jackson was born in 1958, so he was still a tiny toddler when Paul and John and George and Ringo were already charting hits. Sort your facts out, kiddo.

And, I seriously doubt that Paul was "happy" when John Lennon was assassinated. That's so messed up that you would even think such a thing.

p.s. I hate to break this to you, but MJ -was- self-absorbed and very isolated emotionally. That's lovely that he gave so much money to charity, but the man had some very serious mental health issues. Face it...he was a junkie, an anorexic, and had an abnormal fixation with young boys. He was not a god; he was a talented but very flawed person who probably spent a great deal of his life highly depressed and anxious. Nobody, not even MJ, is perfect.

But, hey, that's just me.

[Rightthough]

Michael Jackson alleged fixation on boys was the Media?s fixation. Michael loved all children and they followed him everywhere because he made them feel special and loved. Children who are molested FEAR their molester. MJ opened up his home, the Neverland Ranch (an amusement park), to everyone to come and spend a day and to enjoy for FREE. MJ gave more MONEY to charities than anyone else. That does not sound like a self-absorbed and very isolated emotional person. After all that MJ gave to the WORLD, his accusers and the media destroyed this man's career, his fan base, his reputation, which broke his heart and ultimately killed this very talented, gentle, loving human being.

[babybush101]

Self absorbed???? Hey sallychicago what crack are u smoking. Michael jackson was a guy who was performing and making hits and hanging around music legends while paul mcartney was still suckling on his mother's ***. And he also continued that success into adulthood which is very very very rare for child stars. Also he gave more money to charity than any celebrity in history how self absorbed can he be? And second you have no idea how much pain he was in because i guess you have not seen the footage where he burnt his hair and scalp off which got him addicted to demerol. And lastly mc cartney is the one who was self absorb and jealous of john lennon, im pretty sure deep down inside he was happy lennon died, but hey thats just me

[LouBlue1952]

You might want to do a little research before you enter comments here, babybush101. John was playing with the Quarrymen in 1956, Paul joined in 1957 and George in 1958... the year MJ was born.

[sallychicago]

When you think of "icon" think of Paul McCarthy,he's everything that Michael should have been: he kept his musical career and performances going on and on and on. He kept creating. He didn't stop and become self-absorbed.

I can understand that MJ was in pain psychically and physically, but that doesn't stop you from releasing material and performing; see Prince and Paul.

[ianlou]

Paul always seemed to be able to keep a healthy grasp to the ground during his life. He is also the poster child for the healthy Marijuana user.

Perhaps if Michael Jackson had followed his lead, he would still be alive, healthy, productive and normal looking, perhaps sporting dreadlocks instead of lip stick and deadlocks.

[Rightthough]

ICON meaning: somebody or something widely and uncritically admired. This describes Michael Jackson to a tee. PM was good with the Beatles, however, on his own he NEVER sold more albums than anyone else like Michael did WITHOUT the Jackson 5.

[wesley_m88]

The Beatles broke up in 1970. These facts need checked before going up! Everyone knows they broke up in 70!

[heliocracy]

Um, yeah, the story says that...was it updated after your comment?