‘It beats working’: Paul McCartney reflects on songwriting, John Lennon, and success on eve of Australian tour

A relaxed former Beatle spoke with fans in an intimate Q&A session during soundcheck in Adelaide

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When Paul McCartney first visited Adelaide in June 1964, 350,000 screaming fans lined the streets from the airport to the town hall, in a last-minute addition to the Beatles’ first Australian tour.

A smaller, quieter but no less dedicated crowd was waiting at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday afternoon, before McCartney kicked off his Got Back tour with an intimate – what passes for intimate when you’re an ex-Beatle – show at the 11,000 capacity arena.

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