Jul 16, 2009 5:59 am US/Eastern
Paul McCartney Rocks Roof Of Ed Sullivan Theater
Thousands Watch As 'Beatles' Legend Returns To Where Beatlemania Was Launched 45 Years Ago
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Paul McCartney waves to the crowd from the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater on July 15, 2009, where he performed for the first time since his television debut in Feburary 1964.
CBS
Paul McCartney returned in grand fashion to the theater that launched his career in Manhattan more than 45 years ago.
It was February of 1964 when The Beatles took the stage on The Ed Sullivan Show and sent the nation into a frenzy that would become "Beatlemania." This time around, however, McCartney passed on the stage for this performance, and instead took the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater with a surprise performance on the marquee for Wednesday's taping of the Late Show with David Letterman.
Thousands of fans packed the streets outside the theater to see the legend's spectacular return to his roots, a rare opportunity now with McCartney preparing to kick off what he's said will be his final tour.
You can see a slideshow of the secret concert
here.
Before the legendary ex-Beatle hit the rooftop he spoke with David Letterman in that same theatre and reminisced about the Beatles' maiden voyage to the States.
"I was just thinking today that when we first came here we'd never seen this sort of thing. Television studios in England were sort of all on one floor, the makeup was next door to this and this and this but here it's like an apartment block," McCartney said.
McCartney recalled his first performance in the theater, and remembered a stage hand asking him if he was nervous.
"I said, 'No!' He said 'You should be, there's 73 million people watching," McCartney said, drawing laughter from the host and the audience.
McCartney performed two songs on Letterman's show, but electrified the thousands who lined Broadway to hear him play.
Sir Paul thrilled his fans for about a half an hour, but it's a performance they'll not soon forget.
"I'm … I'm just amazed. I just don't know what to say," said Eric Soler of Barcelona, Spain.
"To be here when I came to New York not expecting a show or concert, just coming in for New York, is incredible. It's the memory of a lifetime," said Christina Walescczyk of Connecticut.
McCartney is in New York for the start of a mini tour, including performances at Citi Field on July 17, 18 and 21.
You can see McCartney on The Late Show immediately following CBS 2 HD News at 11.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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