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Billy Joel Bids Farewell to Shea
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 19, 2008
Modified May 30, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 19, 2008
Modified May 30, 2009
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Last night Billy Joel helped bid farewell to Shea Stadium, with the last concert at the field (the first being The Beatles historic show 43 years ago); Joel also performed there on Wednesday night, and the entire experience has been filmed for a future documentary.
Joel addressed the crowd Wednesday night, saying, "They're gonna be tearing this place down, but I wanna thank you ... for letting me do the best job in the world." During one song, as the piano man did his thing, highlights of the Mets and Shea's history played on jumbo screens.
Also during Wednesday's set, Joel payed homage to the Fab Four, thanking them for the use of "their room" and playing "A Hard Day's Night," "Please, Please Me" and "She Loves You." The 55,000 fans lucky enough to be in attendance last night, however, got a real life Beatle! The NY Times reports that 3-hours into the performance, Joel let Paul McCartney take the spotlight (full circle!); the mini-Beatlemania set included “I Saw Her Standing There" and "Let It Be." McCartney told the audience: “It’s so cool to be back here on the last night. Been here a long time ago — we had a blast that night, and we’re having another one tonight.”
Guests throughout the two nights included Tony Bennett, John Mellencamp, Don Henley, John Mayer, Roger Daltrey, Garth Brooks and Steven Tyler. Members of the military, the NYPD and FDNY also joined Joel to sing the chorus of "Goodnight Saigon." Amongst the sold out crowds were Joel's ex-wife Christie Brinkley and Mayor Bloomberg. Check out some video from the Beatles 1965 concert, and Paul McCartney back at Shea last night.
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billy joel
concert
Last Play at Shea
paul mccartney
shea
shea stadium
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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