Thursday 14 June 2001 | Live Performance | Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA
On Thursday 14 June 2001, Paul McCartney performed at the first annual Adopt-A-Minefield Gala at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles, California. Also on the bill was Paul Simon. McCartney went on to perform at the charity's annual gala each year from 2001 to 2005, making it one of the most consistent charitable commitments of his post-Beatles career.
Concert Setlist
- 'Yesterday'
- 'The Long and Winding Road'
- 'Driving Rain'
- 'Jerk of All Jerks'
- 'Let It Be'
- 'I've Just Seen a Face'
Adopt-A-Minefield
Adopt-A-Minefield was a United Nations-affiliated charity dedicated to landmine clearance and the rehabilitation of landmine survivors. Founded in 1999, it worked in partnership with the United Nations Association of the USA and raised funds to clear landmines in countries including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia, Croatia, and Mozambique. The annual gala in Los Angeles became one of the charity's principal fundraising events, with McCartney's involvement lending it significant profile.
McCartney's commitment to the cause was personal as well as philanthropic. His then-wife Heather Mills ā whom he had married on 11 June 2002 ā was a prominent landmine awareness campaigner who had lost her left leg below the knee in a road accident in 1993 and subsequently became one of the most visible advocates for landmine victims globally. Mills had worked with the United Nations on landmine issues and her campaigning was a significant factor in McCartney's sustained involvement with Adopt-A-Minefield.
The Setlist in Context
The six-song set drew on both Beatles classics and McCartney's then-current solo material. 'Driving Rain' and 'Jerk of All Jerks' were tracks from McCartney's album Driving Rain, released on 12 November 2001 ā meaning the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala performance in June 2001 was one of the earliest public outings for material from that album, months before its release. Driving Rain was McCartney's first album of new material since Flaming Pie (1997) and marked a new chapter in his personal life, having been written and recorded in the aftermath of Linda McCartney's death in April 1998.
Paul Simon
Paul Simon is one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters in popular music history, best known for his work with Art Garfunkel as Simon & Garfunkel and for his acclaimed solo career, including the landmark album Graceland (1986). His appearance alongside McCartney at the first Adopt-A-Minefield Gala brought together two of the most significant figures in the history of popular song.
McCartney's Adopt-A-Minefield Gala Appearances
- 14 June 2001: Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles
- 18 September 2002: Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles
- 23 September 2003: Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles
- 15 October 2004: Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles
- 15 November 2005: Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles
Key Facts: 14 June 2001
- Date: Thursday 14 June 2001
- Venue: Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Event: First annual Adopt-A-Minefield Gala
- Also performing: Paul Simon
- Songs performed: 6
- McCartney's total Adopt-A-Minefield appearances: 5 (2001ā2005)
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Paul McCartney perform at the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala?
Yes ā Paul McCartney performed at the Adopt-A-Minefield Gala each year from 2001 to 2005, a total of five appearances. The first was at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles on 14 June 2001, alongside Paul Simon.
What did Paul McCartney play at the 2001 Adopt-A-Minefield Gala?
McCartney performed six songs: 'Yesterday', 'The Long and Winding Road', 'Driving Rain', 'Jerk of All Jerks', 'Let It Be', and 'I've Just Seen a Face'. 'Driving Rain' and 'Jerk of All Jerks' were from his forthcoming album Driving Rain, released in November 2001.
What is Adopt-A-Minefield?
Adopt-A-Minefield was a United Nations-affiliated charity dedicated to landmine clearance and the rehabilitation of landmine survivors, working in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia, Croatia, Mozambique, and other countries. Founded in 1999, it held annual galas in Los Angeles as its principal fundraising events.
Why was Paul McCartney involved with Adopt-A-Minefield?
McCartney's then-wife Heather Mills was a prominent landmine awareness campaigner who had lost her left leg below the knee in a road accident in 1993 and subsequently became one of the most visible advocates for landmine victims globally. Her campaigning was a significant factor in McCartney's sustained involvement with the charity.
Who else performed at the 2001 Adopt-A-Minefield Gala?
Paul Simon also performed at the first annual Adopt-A-Minefield Gala at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Los Angeles on 14 June 2001.
What is the Beverly Wilshire hotel?
The Beverly Wilshire is a landmark luxury hotel located at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. One of the most celebrated hotels in California, it has hosted major events and celebrity gatherings since its opening in 1928.
ā 14 June in Beatles History
ā Paul McCartney | John Lennon | George Harrison | Ringo Starr
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