Sir Paul McCartney kicked off his new Get Back tour last night with a 'duet' performance with the late John Lennon.
The 79-year-old musician was in his element as he took to the stage for the first time in more than two years, where he was able to pay a special tribute to the former bandmate thanks to the magic of technology.
He duetted with Lennon on I’ve Got A Feeling by using restored footage from Peter Jackson’s acclaimed Beatles documentary, which was shown on the big screen behind him.
Sir Paul told the crowd: “Peter Jackson said: ‘I can pull John’s voice out if you’d like me to’.”
The iconic artist launched his Got Back tour in Spokane, Washington state, on Thursday evening with nearly three hours of music, treating fans to classics Get Back, Hey Jude, and Live And Let Die.
He also performed other Beatles songs for the first time in more than 10 years, including Getting Better, You Never Give Me Your Money and She Came In Through The Bathroom Window.
Sir Paul sported jeans with a navy blazer that had gold button detail and black velvet trim, reminiscent of the famous band's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ensembles.
It was his first gig since the Covid pandemic and the star was overcome with emotion when he first stepped back on stage.
He said: "They said 'get back', and we got back. And it feels cool.
"You'll have to give me a moment to myself, just to let me take this in."
Jackson’s three-part documentary series, entitled Get Back, is compiled from nearly 60 hours of unseen footage shot in January 1969, and more than 150 hours of unheard audio, most of which has been locked in a vault for more than half a century.
It follows Sir Paul, Lennon, George Harrison and Sir Ringo Starr and their creative process as they write and rehearse 14 new songs in preparation for their first live show in more than two years.
The film also features the Beatles’ final live performance as a group, the rooftop concert on London’s Savile Row. The Beatles split in 1970.
Sir Paul ended his Spokane show by bringing a Ukrainian flag out on stage, drawing cheers from the sold-out crowd.
His tour moves to Seattle, Washington on May 2 before he headlines Glastonbury Festival in June.
