Citi Field Forever: McCartney to Play New Park in July

Ex-Beatle on deck for summer concerts

By JOHN P. WISE
Updated 9:20 AM EST, Thu, Jun 4, 2009

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Paul McCartney will play two shows at Citi Field, one year after helping close down the Mets' old home.
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Music legend Paul McCartney will play the first concerts at the brand-new Citi Field next month.

The Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer would presumably sell out two shows on July 17 and 18, in the sparkling new stadium.

"I am really excited about playing Citi Field," McCartney said in a statement released Wednesday. "The Beatles were the first to play at Shea Stadium and along with Billy Joel I was the last to sing at the old Shea. So to be the first to play this ballpark is incredible. I am really looking forward to a buzzing show."

McCartney and his former bandmates in the Beatles christened the Mets' old home, Shea Stadium, on Aug. 15, 1965, about a year after it opened. It was the first concert ever played at an outdoor stadium and set attendance records at the time, with more than 56,000 fans cheering on the Fab Four.

McCartney will play some Beatles classics, as well as some of his solo hits, including tracks off his most recent album, "Electric Arguments," released under his alias, The Fireman.

"There's no more appropriate artist in the history of rock and roll to play the first concert at Citi Field," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. "The era of big-time rock and roll concerts started with Paul and The Beatles at Shea and we're thrilled to continue that tradition at our new home."

Tickets go on sale on June 15 at 10 a.m., online at www.507TIXX.com and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX. The shows will be held rain or shine.

First Published: Jun 3, 2009 3:33 PM EST

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