Prince's Trust All-Star Rock Concert • Friday, June 20, 1986

About

From paulmccartney.com:

Held at Wembley Arena on 20^th June 1986 to mark the first ten years of the Prince’s Trust, this fantastic event saw performances from a who’s who of music, including George Michael, Tina Turner, Elton John and Rod Stewart. Paul closed the show with a rousing version of ‘Get Back’, as well as performing ‘Long Tall Sally’ and ‘I Saw Her Standing There’.

From Wikipedia:

The Prince’s Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales, and Frederick John Pervin to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people. Each year they work with 50,000 young people, with around 80% moving on to Employment, Education, Training or Volunteering. […]

From Club Sandwich N°41, Summer 1986:

Few events can have given more pleasure than the Trust’s tenth birthday party, held at Wembley Arena on Friday 20th June. The first half featured Big Country, Joan Armatrading and Suzanne Vega, Level 42 and Dire Straits-no complaints there. However, the second half was distinctly exotic, thanks to a startling ensemble under the name of The Prince’s All Stars. The lineup? Phil Collins (drums), Ray Cooper (percussion), Mark King of Level 42 or John Illsley of Dire Straits (bass), Elton John (piano), Howard Jones (keyboards), Eric Clapton, Midge Ure, Bryan Adams and Mark Knopfler (guitars).

This was the backing band for everyone from then on, including—yes —your very own PMcC. Paul was approached by Chris Poole of the Prince’s Trust to do a rock ‘n roll finale with Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi of Status Quo, plus the All Stars. Originally this was to consist of “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Long Tall Sally”, but in the end there was more to it than that…

First, who should arrive in Paul’s dressing room to chat about old times but David Bowie and Mick Jagger. In no time at all, Paul found himself agreeing to strum along on their unscheduled rendition of “Dancing In The Street”. Earlier, at that afternoon’s rehearsal, Elton and Tina Turner had persuaded him to add “Get Back”: this has long been a feature of Tina’s act, so they ended up duetting on it.

“A friend and inspiration to us all,” announced Elton John when the time came. Dressed in baggy trousers and a snazzy flecked jacket, Paul let rip on his favourite rockers and closed the show in great style, hugging Eric Clapton as he walked off.

Let’s hear the McCartney view: “The audience was great, it was an incredible back-up band and I enjoyed every minute.” I’ll bet there were goosebumps for Elton John, who once backed John Lennon singing “I Saw Her Standing There”, at Madison Square Gardens in 1974.

Last updated on October 16, 2020

Wembley Arena

This was the 6th concert played at Wembley Arena.

A total of 17 concerts have been played there • 1979 • Dec 7th • Dec 8th • Dec 9th • Dec 10th • 1985 • Jul 13th • 1986 • Jun 20th • 1990 • Jan 11th • Jan 13th • Jan 14th • Jan 16th • Jan 17th • Jan 19th • Jan 20th • Jan 21st • Jan 23rd • Jan 24th • Jan 26th

Setlist for the concert