The last time Paul McCartney was set to perform in Australia, he cancelled his show. Not because of weather, diva reasons, or that something better came up.
It was 2002 and 202 people, 88 of which where Australian, had just been killed in the Bali bombings, while another 209 had been injured.
“Like many who have a deep fondness for Australia, I have been shocked and saddened by the recent terrible events in Bali. My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this tragedy,” McCartney said in a statement following the bombings, announcing his decision to hold off on the show.
“As a mark of respect to both the families who have lost loved ones and to the families of the injured, I have decided to postpone my planned concert in Melbourne as this is not the appropriate time for a rock show.”
The British Beatles legend told Fairfax Media at the time that he pulled out of the Melbourne show because he and his crew “can’t show up cheery.”
Now the legendary musician is returning to Australia in December for his first tour in 24 years—he last played several shows in the country for his New World Tour in 1993.
McCartney’s only apparently toured the Land Down Under three prior times, according to News Corp Australia. First he came with the Beatles in 1964, then with Wings in 1975, and Sir Paul’s only solo trip, in 1993.
Reader Interactions