August 2005
It was great seeing you perform at the Live 8 concert, playing The Beatles classics that we all enjoy. However, I would like to point out something I’m sure that a lot of people were thinking: wouldn’t it be nice if Ringo came on stage and performed with you.
Now a lot of people really appreciated that you, George and Ringo were able to put aside your differences and collaborate on “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love” for The Beatles Anthology albums, but what Beatles fans really want to see is The Beatles back on stage again! Everybody likes a happy ending and to have The Beatles back together in concert would be the perfect ending to the story. I was born the year before The Beatles broke up, so all I have had to satisfy my Beatles cravings are old film footage and the occasional Beatles tribute band. The first concert I saw was “Beatlemania” in Hamilton, Ontario in 1980.
The classic line-ups of Duran Duran and the Eagles got back together. So did Motley Crue (and they haven’t killed each other yet – go figure!). Tears For Fears even made peace and agreed to give it another go. Dare I say that the rift between Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith was a good rival to the rift between you and John! Paul, they even called their reunion album “Everybody Loves A Happy Ending” and their web site says their reunion was “…one of the most unexpected reunions in pop music history”.
Heck, Roger Waters reunited with the rest of Pink Floyd at Live 8, in what I understand was the most anticipated moment of the concert. As a long-time fan of Pink Floyd, I certainly was waiting for it (sorry Dave Gilmour, but Pink Floyd just isn’t the same without Roger). Think back to the late 70s and early 80s: the Pink Floyd camp was not a happy place to be back then!!!! I’ve heard some people jokingly refer to “The Wall” as “The Wall between Roger and the rest of the band” and the last “Roger – Floyd” album as “The Final Straw”.
A quick aside, I hope Roger, David, Nick and Rick consider making this a permanent reunion. Just a thought.
