Introduction
After losing his beloved wife Linda in 1998, Paul McCartney found healing in returning to his musical roots—the vibrant 1950s rock ‘n’ roll that had first captured his heart as a young man. His eleventh solo album, “Run Devil Run,” served as both tribute and therapy, masterfully blending twelve carefully selected covers with three original compositions that perfectly captured the raw, unbridled energy of that golden era. To create this sonic journey, McCartney surrounded himself with exceptional talent, recruiting Pink Floyd’s legendary guitarist David Gilmour, The Pirates’ formidable Mick Green, and Deep Purple’s powerhouse drummer Ian Paice. When the time came to unveil this labor of love to the world, only one venue could possibly do it justice—the hallowed ground of Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club.
On that magical evening of December 14, 1999, McCartney made his triumphant return to the venue that had witnessed The Beatles’ meteoric rise, stepping onto its stage for the first time since their final performance at the original Cavern back in 1963. The significance of this homecoming was not lost on anyone—the BBC recognized its historical importance by broadcasting the intimate performance on both Radio 2 and BBC1. With a mere 300 tickets available, those fortunate enough to attend knew they were witnessing something truly extraordinary.
“I’m going back for just one night as a tribute to the music that has always thrilled me and always will,” McCartney revealed with palpable excitement before the show. “I can’t think of a better way to close out the century than with a rock ‘n’ roll party at the Cavern.”
Though the original club had been demolished in 1973, the reconstructed venue occupied much of the same hallowed ground, preserving the spirit and atmosphere that had made the original so special. For McCartney and the devoted fans who’d followed his journey for decades, this connection to the past was profoundly meaningful.
Flanked by his stellar band—Gilmour, Paice, Green, the talented keyboardist Pete Wingfield, and accordionist Chris Hall—McCartney delivered an unforgettable 13-song set that crackled with energy and emotion. The evening reached an emotional crescendo during his electrifying rendition of “I Saw Her Standing There,” which brought the audience to their feet in a thunderous ovation that seemed to bridge past and present.
For everyone in that room—McCartney himself and every fan lucky enough to witness this intimate performance—this wasn’t merely a concert. It represented a beautiful full-circle moment, a heartfelt celebration of rock ‘n’ roll’s enduring power, and the perfect way to bid farewell to a century that McCartney had helped define through his extraordinary musical contributions.