Paul McCartney ‘duets’ with John Lennon on first stop of ‘Got Back’ tour

SPOKANE, Wash. — Everybody had a hard year. But on Thursday night, Paul McCartney made sure everybody had a good time.

McCartney, who turns 80 in June, kicked off his “Got Back” tour in Spokane, Washington, getting back to his Beatles roots with a surprise “duet” with the late John Lennon, Rolling Stone reported.

“We’ve got something a bit special for you here,” McCartney told the audience, with the band kicking into “I’ve Got a Feeling,” one of the songs from the Beatles’ famous London rooftop session in January 1969. The song was played live on the rooftop of Apple Records and appeared on the 1970 album “Let It Be” and film of the same name. The rooftop sessions also played a major role in “Get Back,” Peter Jackson’s 2021 documentary about The Beatles.

Last night, Paul McCartney sang The Beatles song, “I’ve Got a Feeling”, with the voice of John Lennon for the first time since 1969:pic.twitter.com/RqN4aeQdDm
— The Beatles (@BeatlesEarth) April 29, 2022

Lennon appeared on the big screen to reprise his role in the bridge of the song.

McCartney said that Jackson had isolated the vocals after getting the idea of having Lennon “sing” along with the live band, Rolling Stone reported.

McCartney said Jackson had texted him, “We can extract John’s voice, and he can sing with you,” the magazine reported.

“I said, ‘Oh, yeah!’” McCartney said.

As he has in previous concerts, McCartney dedicated “Here Today,” his 1982 song from the “Tug of War” album, to Lennon. He added that he lamented the fact that he had not “properly told (Lennon) he loved him while he had the chance.”

It was McCartney’s first tour since 2019, Rolling Stone reported. A planned 2020 tour in Europe was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the year recording his solo album, “McCartney III.”

In addition to Lennon, McCartney also paid tribute to fellow Beatles bandmate George Harrison, using a ukelele that the late guitarist had given him, Variety reported.

McCartney used the instrument to play during his rendition of Harrison’s hit single from the “Abbey Road” album, “Something.”

McCartney played 30 songs during his set, showcasing songs from his days with The Beatles, his 1970s band wings, and his solo career. “I’ve Got a Feeling” was the first of four songs McCartney played during his encore, Rolling Stone reported.

He ended the encore with the “Abbey Road” medley, “Golden Slumbers”/”Carry That Weight”/”The End.”

“Well, we said we’d come back, and we got back,” McCartney told the audience. “And believe me, we’re really happy to be back. I’m gonna take a moment for myself to drink it all in.”