Sir Paul McCartney Rocks The Hard Rock Grand Opening

Las Vegas, NV...April 19, 2009

The Grand Opening of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino newly remodeled Showroom venue, "The JOINT", demanded the top of the top of the top in the biz...and they got it.  Paul McCartney ranks as perhaps the most famous musical icon now on the planet and has the credentials to prove it.

Now the concert, of course, was what everyone was focused on. 

But the circus outside prior to showtime was an unbelievable event.  Sure, McCartney should have been enough to draw giant crowds of adoring fans.  But remember, this was on a Sunday in the middle of April.  And the Hard Rock's Big Pool Party Blast rightly named REHAB also opened up on the same day as the former Beatle concert.

There were fans all dressed displaying their special interest in Sir Paul all mixed in with hundreds of young ladies in string bikinis.  The age range seen by this writer was at least by a margin of six decades.  The younger, pool set were not very interested in McCartney's concert. because the season opening of the pool party was hosted by none other than Snoop Dog.  Yes...that Snoop Dog.

When I saw all this commotion outside and inside the casino area, I grabbed my video camera and captured as much of the flavor as I could without being knocked over by wall to wall guests of the hotel.  It was no less than a ZOO! As my videos will show, the line of 4000 attending Sir Paul's concert weaved out the door and around the corner with the end of the line being forced into a dark tunnel area of the hotel's newest construction area. 

Did they mind?  Not in the least. After the concert, I had a chance to speak with a musician named Don who really gave a great overview of what Paul McCartney means to many of us from the 60s generation and how we view Sir Paul as our musical mentor of that decade and today. Don shared the following with me: "I am 56 and wife is 54. We drove 6 hours to see him. 4th time since 2002. Various other times from 1966 through late 90's. I am a musician. Started playing music because of Beatles. They changed my world."

Enthusiastically, Don continued:

"Only McCartney can get away with what he does live.  His voice is shot at times. can't hit the notes, misses lyrics, his band screws up, he is not  a good electric lead solo guitar player (embarrassing at times) ....but it's all 100% okay because he is McCartney. He knows how to put on a show and touch the heart. I think his current song writing from last 4 albums is magic.  For us, as timeless as what he did in 60's and 70's." 

My final question for Don was, "What do you really think about Paul McCartney after seeing him in concert tonight at the Hard Rock in 2009?" And with a great big smile, this 60s music road warrior replied, "He's getting better with age." Don't we all wish people would say that about us?