Monday, November 24, 1986
Concert • By Paul McCartney
Last updated on April 27, 2020
Location: Theatre Royal
Previous concert Nov 04, 1986 • 'Stranglehold' video shoot
Article Nov 19, 1986 • Paul McCartney's tribute to Matt Monro
Article Nov 20, 1986 • Paul receives a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bambi awards
Concert Nov 24, 1986 • Royal Variety Performance
Album Nov 24, 1986 • "The Anti-Heroin Project: It's A Live-In World" by Various Artists released in the UK
Single Dec 01, 1986 • "Only Love Remains / Tough On A Tightrope" by Paul McCartney released in the UK
Next concert Sep 09, 1987 • 12th Buddy Holly Week
From Wikipedia:
The Royal Variety Performance is a televised variety show held annually in the United Kingdom to raise money for the Royal Variety Charity (of which Queen Elizabeth II is life-patron). It is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family. The evening’s performance is presented as a live variety show, usually from a theatre in London and consists of family entertainment that includes comedy, music, dance, magic and other speciality acts.
This was the first appearance of Paul McCartney at the Royal Variety Performance, since November 1963 with the Beatles and the famous quote from John Lennon: “For our last number, I’d like to ask your help. Would the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewellery“. Paul made a reference by announcing:
If you don’t mind, this time you could just keep the noise of the jewellery down, it was a bit distracting last time…
Paul McCartney
From The Beatles Monthly Book, N°129, January 1987:
[…] ‘Only Love Remains’ was the only number that Paul performed at the Royal Variety Show. He had planned to do two songs, but he was told that it was very likely that only one would be shown on the television transmission, so one song it was. […]
Paul played and sang seated at a grand piano, while on backing vocals were Linda McCartney and Tessa Niles. eric Stewart played acoustic guitar, Jamie Talbot was on saxophone, Graham Ward on drums, Preston Heymen percussion and Nick Glennie-Smith the synthesiser. Except for Paul, Linda and Eric Stewart, none of the other musicians are ‘known names’ outside of session musician circles. Ward and Glennie-Smith did play on the “Press To Play” album, however.
Paul was given a glowing introduction on stage by David Frost, who quoted the vastly impressive achievements that have secured Paul a place in the Guinness Hall Of Fame (of which Frost is an organiser). Paul proceeded to give a fine rendition of “Only Love Remains”, with only a couple of slightly strained notes showing that even he was nervous about appearing at the Royal Command Performance! To round the evening off in the customary tradition, Paul and his band stood in line to meet the royal guests after the show.
Mark Lewishohn
This was the 1st and only concert played at Theatre Royal.
Written by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney : Piano Linda Eastman / McCartney : Vocals Eric Stewart : Guitar Jamie Talbot : Saxophone Nick Glennie-Smith : Synthesizer Graham Ward : Drums Tessa Niles : Vocals Preston Heymen : Percussion
Album Available on Pizza And Fairy Tales
Album Available on MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.21
Album Available on Live Archives Vol. 1 (1984-1990)
Album Available on Where Footprints Never Go - Unofficial Rarities - Ultimate Archive Collection
Album Available on Press To Play Sessions
Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.