why did Paul Macartney get to open and finish the show??

dragon fly · Mary of the 4th Form

why did Paul Macartney get to open and finish the show??

Lucky · She's So Modern

I guess the reason for Macca opening and ending the show is that - although most of the other mentioned artists had also dozens of MEGA-selling hits - McCartney has still the best-known sing-alongs, and - if not sing-along like Sgt. Pepper - at least songs that almost everyone in the crowd simply "knows"... from anywhere... they are absolute evergreens. Both fans of Coldplay, Pink Floyd or U2 will have no problem to join in "Hey Jude", while I, for instance, although I like the sound of the band very much, had problems joining in the Pink Floyd lyrics...

But, I don't think that positioning Paul McCartney at these important points of the show, should mean to point him out as the "best" artist. There have been many "best artists" on Staurday, in deed! Surprisingly enough, my favourites - though I hardly knew them before *shame on me* - was "The Who", but also Keane did a good job, and even Madonna - who I always disliked - managed to "wake up" the crowds on the screen area at Hyde Park (that was where I was).

Jules · The biggest Geldof fan in the world, bar none!

U2 had a concert in Vienna that evening, so had to come on early and leave. I believe REM also had another concert in Switzerland. How brilliant were they?

Julia · Tonight

Lucky wrote:

I guess the reason for Macca opening and ending the show is that - although most of the other mentioned artists had also dozens of MEGA-selling hits - McCartney has still the best-known sing-alongs, and - if not sing-along like Sgt. Pepper - at least songs that almost everyone in the crowd simply "knows"... from anywhere... they are absolute evergreens.

I must admit I wondered about Sgt Pepper being the opening song, but I couldn't agree more with this explanation of McCartney's appearances.

As John Hannah's character in 'Sliding Doors' explains -

" ... everyone was born knowing all the Beatles lyrics instinctively - they're passsed onto the fetus subconsciously along with all the amniotic stuff.

In fact, they should be called the Fetals."

Ain't that true

Tommy · Mary of the 4th Form

McCartney wanted to open and close the show when most people would be watching else he wasn't going to do it.

oshora · CRAZY

WHAT? Is that really true about Paul? That would be disappointing if so. I think the U2 and Paul McCartney, Sgt. Peppers song, was very appropriate to start the show.

I really liked Sting - one of my favorites - and Alicia Keys. Both were also excellent.

I'm not crazy about Madonna - with her attitude, lifestyle, lack of acting ability (unless she is playing herself) or her S. England estate being used for pheasant hunting - what a drag she is. It did appear that everyone did like her, however, and she does support SBG, so there you have it. At least Brittnany Spears was not invited! WHEW! Thank you for small favors!

Pink Floyd were just amazing! They sounded like they did 25 years ago! What a great band!

O'Shora

meekus · Tonight

Did you just take the same avatar as Alison, or are you Alison?

Julia · Tonight

meekus wrote:

Did you just take the same avatar as Alison, or are you Alison?

Looks like oshora has made a mistake and picked the same avatar that Alison uses

. I don't think oshora is Alison - they write in very different ways ...

oshora · CRAZY

No, I'm Linda O'Shora

I'll change back to this avatar! Kind of liked the "Fox" one though.

-- Edited by oshora at 01:36, 2005-07-22

-- Edited by oshora at 01:48, 2005-07-22

Julia · Tonight

oshora - your new-old avatar strikes me as quite stunning

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