Paul McCartney Live: Memphis
Tuesday 27 April 1993 | New World Tour | Memphis, Tennessee
Overview
On 27 April 1993, Paul McCartney performed at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his global New World Tour. The show marked the 20th date of the tour and drew an audience of over 42,000 fans in one of rock 'n' roll's most historic cities.
Memphis Connection
The Memphis stop carried added significance as the hometown of drummer Blair Cunningham, whose family attended the show in large numbers, turning the concert into a personal homecoming moment within the wider tour. Memphis itself — the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and home of Sun Studio, Stax Records, and Graceland — gave the show an additional layer of musical history.
Backstage Moment with Carl Perkins
In a highlight steeped in rock history, McCartney was joined backstage by legendary rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins — the man who wrote Blue Suede Shoes, a song The Beatles had covered in their early Hamburg sets. The pair shared an informal jam session, performing:
- Blue Suede Shoes
- Maybellene
- Matchbox
- My Old Friend
After watching the concert, Perkins praised McCartney's performance as one of the greatest he had ever seen.
The Band
- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass, guitar, piano
- Linda McCartney – keyboards, vocals, percussion
- Hamish Stuart – guitar, bass, vocals
- Robbie McIntosh – guitar, vocals
- Paul “Wix” Wickens – keyboards, vocals
- Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion
Concert Setlist Highlights
- Drive My Car
- All My Loving
- Let It Be
- Live And Let Die
- Band On The Run
- Hey Jude
Tour Context
The New World Tour ran across 77 dates in 19 countries throughout 1993, marking one of McCartney's most ambitious global tours. The Memphis show came during the early US leg, following performances in Houston and New Orleans.
Venue Location
FAQs
Who joined McCartney backstage in Memphis?
Rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins — the writer of Blue Suede Shoes — joined him for an informal jam session before the show.
How many people attended?
Approximately 42,000 fans.
What tour was this part of?
The New World Tour, which ran across 77 dates in 19 countries in 1993.
Editorial Note
McCartney's Memphis performance stands as a symbolic bridge between generations of rock 'n' roll — linking The Beatles' legacy with the genre's original pioneers through his connection with Carl Perkins, in the very city where rock 'n' roll was born.
Also on 27 April in Beatles History
- Paul McCartney Live at Madison Square Garden – 27 April 2002
- View all events on 27 April in Beatles History
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