With a little help from his friends, about 40,000 to be exact, music legend Paul McCartney rocked the Queen City on Wednesday night.
The three-hour show at Mosaic Stadium began with the Beatles hit Eight Days a Week. The concert started close to an hour late, which isn't typical organizers backstage said.
Dana Koch has seen McCartney in concert 15 times, but she never thought she’d see him play in her hometown of Regina.
“It’s unbelievable,” Koch said. “I never would have thought that he would have came to Regina.”
Koch had been campaigning on Facebook for the last four years to have Sir Paul grace the Queen City with his presence.
“It really didn’t work out so well,” she said. “Only when he actually came here and people started to look on Facebook about him then people saw my page and now it’s bonkers.”
Laurie Ross, another Regina resident, has seen Paul McCartney 42 times and has personally posed for a photo with the living legend. Some think its excessive, but she says it’s been worth it every time.
“It’s like the first time over and over,” Ross said. “I’m expecting the 42nd first time, only this is going to be really special because it’s my hometown and maybe my friends will finally get it.”
However, her pen pal from Buffalo, New York, Pat Deese, has both of the local McCartney maniacs beat. Not only has she seen the Beatles in concert, but Wednesday night’s show in Regina marked her 90th time seeing McCartney.
“I love his music – I love the energy, I love the crowd,” said Deese. “When he comes out on stage it’s like that magic. It just makes you feel so good.”
The City of Regina Pipe Band got the opportunity to share the stage with Sir Paul himself.
“Lots of things get more attention in the community than a pipe band does,” said bagpiper Iain MacDonald. “So, being part of the biggest show of the year in your own community is a really cool experience.”
Based on a report by CTV Regina's Kelsey Chadwick
