Students at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, New York got a special treat on Wednesday when Paul McCartney showed up to not only perform, but also give the students lessons on life as a former Beatle and musician.
The event was another part of his busy promotional schedule for New, which hits stores on Tuesday. According to The New York Daily News, McCartney performed 13 songs, including Beatles classics and New songs, for the 400 students in the auditorium.
McCartney opened the show with “Eight Days A Week,” reports Newsday. “This beats going to class,” he told them. “I know. It's supposed to be like going to class.”
The “Band on the Run” singer was asked about fame, which he should know a thing or two about, since he was a member of the most popular band in the world. “The thing that fame does is give you freedom,” he told the students. By avoiding being formulaic, fame allowed him to give fans “something that they don't know they want to hear just yet.”
He also dedicated the New album’s title track to his wife, Nancy Shevell. The two are celebrating their second anniversary.
Tony Bennett, who founded the school, was also in attendance. The performance will air on Clear Channel stations on Monday at 9 p.m. Yahoo will also stream the show.
image: NBC