- Opinion
- 26 Nov 18
He hasn't performed in Ireland in almost a decade, but The Beatles legend Paul McCartney is planning to play Vicar Street in the near future.
Paul McCartney is planning to play the Dublin gig to raise money for the homeless. Harry Crosbie, the owner of Vicar Street, said he first came up with the idea when he met Paul's daughter Stella at a party in London.
"I met his daughter Stella McCartney and Jools Holland at a party in our artist friend’s London home, and we discussed The Beatles connection with Dublin and also the homeless situation in Ireland and the possibility of Paul doing a gig at Vicar Street with all proceeds going to help people on the streets," Harry Crosbie told the Sunday World.
Harry then decided to make contact with the music icon after the recent unveiling of a plaque that commemorated the two concerts The Beatles played in the Adelphi Cinema on Middle Abbey Street in November 1963.
“I sent him a photo of the plaque and I got an answer back saying he was absolutely delighted,” said Harry.
Advertisement
Harry Crosbie told the the Sunday World that Paul often does “guerilla gigs”.
“He came back to me and said that Vicar Street is top of the list for the next one," Harry added.
While no date has yet been confirmed for the gig, Harry said he could get a call about it any time "because that’s the way he works".
The founder and president of Beatles Ireland, Peter Brennan said: “For Paul McCartney to play in Ireland it will be a major surprise to most Beatles fans that this will take place.
“As a Beatles fan, why wouldn’t we be so excited for Paul to actually perform in Dublin!"
The two gigs on the same day at the old Adelphi Cinema, which was sadly turned into a carpark back in the late 1990s, was actually the first and only time The Beatles played in Ireland.
Advertisement
Harry also said that he will get Gay Byrne to MC the gig. Gaybo, who was asked to unveil the plaque recently, was actually asked by Paul McCartney back in the 1960s if he would like to be The Beatles' agent.
The offer occurred when the Irish broadcaster was interviewing the band for British TV.
"Paul McCartney came to me and said, ‘Would you like to be our agent? We don’t have one and we think you would make a terrific agent’,” recalled Gaybo, who turned down the offer because he was up to his ears.