The 1980s offered Paul McCartney a chance to reconcile with the past while showcasing his enduring musical vitality. Following John Lennon’s tragic murder in 1980, McCartney embraced the legacy of The Beatles in a new light, revisiting classic tracks with a sense of immediacy and joy. Among these, his 1986 performance of Get Back at the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala at London’s Wembley Arena stands out as a defining moment.
McCartney, having spent the 1970s focused on Wings, was no stranger to reimagining his catalog. Hits like Yesterday and I’ve Just Seen A Face punctuated his shows as gentle interludes between Wings’ more rambunctious rock numbers. But by the mid-1980s, McCartney had grown more willing to embrace nostalgia. With Give My Regards to Broadstreet, he released a new take on The Long and Winding Road that honored the song’s lyrical beauty, and, with Bob Geldof’s encouragement, delivered a heartfelt Let It Be that reflected both presence and poignancy.
Yet it was Get Back, performed with Tina Turner, that truly electrified the audience. McCartney approached the stage with meticulous attention, not just to the music but to the experience of performing it live. Princess Diana could be seen clapping along enthusiastically, while Prince Charles offered polite applause—perhaps reflecting on the cheeky Abbey Road reference embedded in the song seventeen years prior.
The performance was a veritable who’s who of 1980s music. Elton John unleashed a rollicking piano solo reminiscent of McCartney’s Fats Domino influences, Phil Collins manned the drum kit backstage, and guitarist Bryan Adams shared a microphone with McCartney for a blistering exchange. Paul Young contributed to the second verse, and Turner closed the song with a vocal powerhouse that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Dire Straits’ John Illsley held the bassline, allowing McCartney to take up rhythm guitar—a role he had once coveted in The Beatles’ early days.
Where The Beatles’ 1969 rooftop rendition of Get Back felt rushed and constrained, the 1986 version pulsed with unrestrained energy. The solos soared, the rhythm tightened, and McCartney finally delivered the rock anthem as he had always envisioned it. The audience, caught up in the momentum, left only wishing the performance had lasted longer.
The night also featured standout renditions of Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing, with Sting lending his vocals, and Rod Stewart’s surprisingly heartfelt Sailing. Yet it was McCartney’s Get Back that remained the highlight, a moment of triumph for a Beatle long accustomed to compromises and interrupted projects.
The performance also hinted at the potential for Beatles reunions. George Harrison returned to the stage in 1987, performing While My Guitar Gently Weeps, accompanied by Ringo Starr on drums and Eric Clapton on guitar. While later collaborations like Free as a Bird failed to recapture that magic, the 1986 Wembley performance proved McCartney’s enduring ability to command the stage.
Decades later, the clip remains a testament to McCartney’s vitality and artistry, capturing a Beatle fully in his element—rocking with exuberance, honoring his musical past, and sharing the stage with legends like Tina Turner. For fans, it is a reminder that Paul McCartney, even in the shadow of The Beatles’ breakup, was always destined to shine.
