Category: Jam Session
So I heard the McCartney concert had the plug pulled on it after 3 hours. Was he singing with Springstein at that time? Was this concert the one they said would happen before the olympics? Never heard of a concert having the plug pulled on it before. Definitely a first.
It was actually a Springsteen concert with McCartney coming out as a special guest after 3 hours. The plug was pulled because they were still going 10 minutes after the local curfew. I personally feel having been there, that it was partly the Boss's own fault, as being listed to begin his concert at 7 PM, he didn't actually begin until around 7:25, so would likely have finished his set had he begun on time, but rarely do big concerts begin on time, so it's just one of those things.
The people who gain the license for putting on such events are threatened with not being given such in the future if they go beyond the limits of the contract, and I believe in previous years have been in trouble for allowing bands to play beyond the curfew, so decided to tighten up on it this year. It was unfortunate, but was a hell of a good gig.
Bet it was a wonderful show. Saw McCartney in the 1980's in Chicago, and that was one hell of a good show too. You're right. When concerts don't start on time, it is noticed. I go back real far, and the one thing that is beyond me, is with Beatle concerts there was so much screaming and mania that was always allowed to go on for the set. I believe, though, those concerts only lasted an hour.