The Holiday Gift I Didn’t Even Know I Wanted

No, I wasn’t in London at the O2 last week. I only read reports, and then this photo popped up. In a surprise move at his end-of-tour concert, Paul McCartney invited Ringo Starr, the only other surviving Beatle, on stage to perform two songs: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Helter Skelter.

I saw Paul McCartney in concert almost 20 years ago when the press was already marveling over his talent and particularly, his stamina, as he regularly delivered 3-plus hour performances at every stop on a lengthy U.S. tour. He was about 63 years old at the time.

Now he is in his early 80s, as is Starr, and while some claim McCartney’s voice no longer spans four octaves—but it still might—he continues to perform on stage for over 3 hours at a clip. I was not prepared for the wallop of nostalgia that the news of their brief reunion brought me even though I was an ocean away. And this satisfying double photo, like bookends: two young kids from Liverpool on the world stage, and then the same two men many decades later, on stage again, still rocking.

It’s a present I didn’t even know I wanted, but was thrilled to receive.

Happy holidays, and many thanks to you, Artful stalwarts and new readers alike. I hope the best of everything finds its way to you in the coming new year. May we all keep rockin’.

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And in case you are wondering . . . Susan B. Apel shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Woven Tale Press, The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.