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Paul McCartney Plays Historic Concert in Tel Aviv

9/25/08, 5:15 pm EST

Photo: Sinai/Getty

Photo Gallery: Paul McCartney’s Historic “Friendship First” Concert in Tel Aviv, Israel

Paul McCartney played his first ever concert in Tel Aviv today, playing to 40,000 fans more than 40 years after the Beatles were banned from playing Israel. Once on stage, Macca dusted off his knowledge of the Hebrew language to welcome the crowd and wish them a happy Rosh Hashanah next week. McCartney’s “Friendship First” concert, named with the hope of easing tensions in the tumultuous area, featured 31 hits from through Paul’s career, from the Beatles’ singles to “Band on the Run” to Memory Almost Full’s “Dance Tonight.” During John Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance,” McCartney let the crowd take over to sing the song’s final coda, while fireworks lit up the sky during Macca’s own “Live And Let Die.” And three months after playing it live for the first time, McCartney once again treated the crowd to the Sgt. Pepper classic “A Day in the Life.” Follow the jump to check out the entire Tel Aviv set list.

Setlist:
“Hello Goodbye”
“Jet”
“Drive My Car”
“Only Mama Knows”
“All My Loving”
“Flaming Pie”
“Let Me Roll It”
“My Love”
“Let Em In”
“The Long and Winding Road”
“Dance Tonight”
“Blackbird”
“Calico Skies”
“Follow The Sun”
“Mrs Vanderbilt”
“Here, There and Everywhere”
“Eleanor Rigby”
“Something”
“A Day In The Life”
“Give Peace A Chance”
“Band On The Run”
“Back In The USSR”
“I Got A Feeling”
“Live and Let Die”
“Let It Be”
“Hey Jude”
“Lady Madonna”
“Get Back”
“I Saw Her Standing There”
“Yesterday”
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

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Joe Cocker to Headline New Israel Peace Festival


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Comments

Israeli Fan | 9/29/2008, 1:56 am EST

Best performance I’ve ever seen in my life. The most impressive thing was a huge amount of youngsters singing every single word of the half a century old songs.

Thank you Paul and…. when do you come again? :)

Brien Comerford | 9/28/2008, 6:03 pm EST

The music industry’s most talented humanitarian and vegetarian rocked Isreal with a concert and message of peace and love. Paul McCartney is an icon and we’re all lucky he’s still sounding good at age 66. “Let Me Roll It” should be replaced by “Junior’s Farm” or “I’m Down”.

Brien Comerford | 9/28/2008, 6:03 pm EST

The music industry’s most talented humanitarian and vegetarian rocked Isreal with a concert and message of peace and love. Paul McCartney is an icon and we’re all lucky he’s still sounding good at age 66. “Let Me Roll It” should be replaced by “Junior’s Farm” or “I’m Down”.

to "I WONDER" | 9/28/2008, 9:39 am EST

LOL, haha. Yes I know what you mean. Gosh, I feel sorry for you not being able to look at the mirror, if you know what I mean wink wink. What an incredibly small person you are, and the likes of you. BTW (in case your worry for Sir Paul’s business was genuine) - the concert was fully paid for in advance.

Nolan Martin | 9/27/2008, 7:46 pm EST

Would have loved to have been there for this. Went to Israel last year, and loved it. Saw Mr. Mccartney 6 years ago at the Value City Arena in Columbus Ohio, Great showman.

tom | 9/27/2008, 7:03 pm EST

the fact that he never does anything off Run Devil Run is a big disappointment

Debbie DeCeglie | 9/27/2008, 4:02 pm EST

Blessed are the Peace Makers!! Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Gandi, Mother Teresa.

Thanks for giving us love and great music for almost 50 years!!! In a troubled world, The Beatles and Paul McCartney live forever!!

Debbie in Florida 2008

antsyb0y | 9/27/2008, 1:33 pm EST

i was there in the front row and the man is a living legend , a gentleman and an inspiration to all……well done Sir Paul for coming..we needed it
stay strong and healthy

Bill | 9/27/2008, 7:11 am EST

On the Wings of a Nightingale is one Paul should dust off for concert and record as well. Also add Ask Me Why,There’s A Place,And And Your Bird Can Sing.

I wonder | 9/26/2008, 2:38 pm EST

…if Paul will have problems getting paid for this concert. You know what I mean. (wink wink)

Phlegminway | 9/26/2008, 12:59 pm EST

Good comment Jungleland!

Hey, maybe a Bruce cover? That would be cool…andway:

“How about Junior’s Farm? Too Many People? My Brave Face? Magical Mystery Tour?”

I’ve ALWAYS wanted to hear ALL of those live! GREAT choices, all of them. I’d add “And I Love Her” and especially…”The Night Before” from Help! Take out Calico, Dance Tonight, and the awful Flaming Pie.
Enough nitpicking though…it’s still an incredible set, and I’d kill (not literally…kind of defeats the purpose of “friendship 1st”!) to have been there. Were any Isrealis put off by the explosives in L.A.L.D.? Seems like they’ve seen enough explosives in the skies to last 8 lifetimes…

Jungleland2 | 9/26/2008, 9:11 am EST

Love the set list

Flaming Pie! Calico Skies! I’ve Got A Feeling! Mrs. Vanderbilt!

I wish Paul woud REALLY change up his set.

I mean he has done Jet and Let Me Roll It EVERY tour.

How about Junior’s Farm? Too Many People? My Brave Face? Magical Mystery Tour?

Still I would go to this in a heartbeat

wunderboy | 9/26/2008, 1:34 am EST

AWRIGHT PAUL!! GREAT SHOW!!! (Wasn’t there, but it’s a safe bet!)

Anonymous | 9/25/2008, 7:10 pm EST

it was spectacular!!!

Dean | 9/25/2008, 6:11 pm EST

It was an amazing gig!

Sir McCartney, thank you from an Israeli fan!

J | 9/25/2008, 5:54 pm EST

Go PAUL!!

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