Paul McCartney Faces Hostile Crowd in Germany
- Posted on Dec 3rd 2009 10:30AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (120)
The opening night of Paul McCartney's European tour didn't go as smoothly as planned. Macca was booed by the Hamburg, Germany crowd after he kept fans waiting for more than an hour. But his woes at the Color Line Arena crowd were probably karmic, after the former Beatle snubbed the city's establishment by declining the invitation to come and sign the Golden Book in Hamburg's city hall -- an offer only extended to visiting royalty and living legends.According to the Telegraph, McCartney was surprised by the crowd's hostility, but soon appeased them with Beatles favorites like 'Drive My Car' and 'Magical Mystery Tour.' Sir Paul's greeting, "Guten Abend, Hamburg!" also helped ease tensions and over the two-and-a-half hour show, he interspersed his greatest solo hits, recent Fireman tunes and an abundance of Fab Four material, including 'The Long and Winding Road,' 'Blackbird,' 'And I Love Her,' 'Paperback Writer,' 'Let It Be' and 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.'
McCartney's return to Hamburg was a far cry from the days some 49 years ago when the Beatles first played in the city's basement clubs. Despite the rocky start, encores like 'Lady Madonna,' 'Hey Jude' and 'Get Back' apparently have him back in the city's good graces.
- Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, Holy Hell
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Reader Comments(1 of 6)
Marieat 12-03-2009
He was not in Hamburg until just before the concert. He was late due to the fact he was attending his 6 year old daughter's school play in England.
merletcornponeat 12-05-2009
There are many things that may cause an artist to be late. Travel plans are left to travel agents. Booing a Rock-N-Roll icon for things beyond his control is a shameful act carried out by audience idiots.
bharghanvohat 12-05-2009
That's MORE important, good for him! Thanks for letting us know!
Colinat 12-05-2009
Good for him! If I had the choice I'd see everything my kids do.
John Lópezat 12-05-2009
That explains everything. That's a strong reason.
Annat 12-03-2009
No excuse. Then start the concert an hour later. The rest of us get booed if we show up for work an hour late.
Taraat 12-05-2009
Actually, some get fired!
Rickat 12-05-2009
They didn't just schedule the concert two weeks ago. I'm sure it had been in the making for several months. The school play probably came up way after the concert was scheduled. I'd wait 5 hours for Paul.
Lizat 12-03-2009
Have people in Hamburg never been to a concert before? Or do their concerts always start precisely on time? Cause they rarely start on time here. In fact, I went to one of McCartney's concerts here in the states this past summer. It was supposed to start at 7:30, but half of the audience wasn't even in their seats then. People here expected it would start late. It wasn't until an hour later that the stadium was finally packed, and McCartney didn't start until 9. Nobody cared here. And it was a great show.
SamBlobat 12-05-2009
They're Germans. Germany runs on time. This might explain why the German car industry is thriving while the American car industry is dying and the car industry of Sir Paul's homeland, the UK, is dead.
Robinat 12-05-2009
Liz, I was at that concert and one of the many stuck in traffic. So glad he went on late, and very impressed he cared about his fans that would have missed half the show.
Tim Shookat 12-30-2009
Chill folks.. I have never been to a concert the caliber of McCartney's that HAS started on schedule. Enjoy the ambiance of the arena while you're waiting.. they usually have all sorts of multi-media things going on prior to the concert starting to keep the audience entertained. Be happy he doesn't have some mickey mouse band out there as an opening act. S%#% happens.. get over it..
JKat 12-03-2009
The problem wasn't just that the concert started an hour late, the audience was way more upset about the fact that they had to wait more than two hours outside because McCartney started rehearsing at 6pm, when the inlet was supposed to be.
taterat 12-05-2009
He did the same thing in Dallas. Rehearsed way past the time that was proposed, while fans waited outside Cowboys Stadium in the TX heat. When they finally let fans in, they were not happy. I was a volunteer at a concession stand to raise money for LLS, and was greeted by cranky, irritated masses when they were finally able to open the doors (because he had left the stage). He went on stage 2 hours later, and the concert drug on to nearly midnight. You can guess what time the "volunteers" that had been there since 2pm got to go home? He has the luxury to make his own hours as a star, while the rest of the working masses suffer late hours on a weeknight. Not very connsiderate in my book.
APat 12-05-2009
Hardly the stuff nightmares are really made of. Just ask any Guns N' Roses fan about their Montreal show with Metallica...all Paul did was start late. I've been to so many shows that started late for whatever reason
and still had a good time. At least this turned out fine in the end. I'd be more than glad just to see Sir Paul play live...
Joyceat 12-05-2009
I don't like him anyway. I see no reason to even discuss it. He was late because he is arrogant....Who Cares???
jhorsepullerat 12-05-2009
i fully agree
Elat 12-05-2009
If you don't like him and see no reason to even discuss it, why did you bother to read the article in the first place . . . much less add to the discussion.
Apparently You Care since you wasted your time here.
Teeat 12-05-2009
I don't blame Paul for not signing the book! It is sort of like belong to a Restricted Country Club ! BRAVO PAUL!
marleneat 12-05-2009
Aye PA your 'one of those aye'
Always trying to make a Religious thing ..............