Aug. 21, 1965
Met Stadium, the Beatles • ticket prices: $3.50-$5.50
It was historical and hysterical. The Fab Four played 12 songs on a stage near second base. None of the fans got very close to the stage and the sound system was woefully inadequate, but it was still John, Paul, George and Ringo in person at the height of Beatlemania. The 28,000 fans screamed, and the Beatles made $50,000 for a 30-minute performance. Grade: C-plus but who knew better?
June 6, 1976
St. Paul Civic Center with Wings • $8.50
There were lasers, stage fog, smoke bombs, bubbles, film and, of course, Linda McCartney on keyboards and background vocals. Paul was in good spirits and voice. The performance was a generous 2¼ hours but featured only five Beatles numbers, including "Yesterday," and an unexpected cover of Paul Simon's "Richard Cory." "Silly Love Songs" was Wings' hit of the moment. Need we say more? Grade: B
May 23, 1993
Metrodome • $32.50
He was in good voice, his energy was unflagging and his personality filled the Dome. Not only were 18 of the 32 songs from the Beatles, he did an acoustic set (including "Good Rockin' Tonight" and "We Can Work It Out") and used artful and imaginative visuals (including photos by Henri Cartier-Bresson). Despite less than desirable acoustics, this concert was a splendid combination of emotion, texture and nostalgia. Grade: A-minus
Sept. 23, 2002
Xcel Energy Center • $55-$250
It was a love-in, with his new, younger backup band invigorating the veteran pop icon for 2½ hours. There were some special emotional moments, including "Here Today" dedicated to John Lennon and a solo ukulele version of "Something" dedicated to George Harrison, who had died 10 months earlier. There were plenty of Wings and solo tunes among the 36 songs, but it was pretty much one Beatles thrill after another for the final 90 minutes. Grade: B-plus
Oct. 26, 2005
Xcel Energy Center • $49.50-$250
The 37 songs over 2 hours and 40 minutes felt like a victory lap. Paul was his playful, eternally cute self, hamming it up with a little dance here, a quip there and lots of post-song bows. However, this nostalgia fest lacked immediacy. Grade: B-minus
