Paul McCartney Tears Up While Steven Tyler Sings On His Tribute Show

The lights dimmed at the Kennedy Center Honors. A hush fell over the star-studded audience, all eagerly awaiting the grand finale. This wasn’t just any closing act; it was a tribute to Paul McCartney, a musical titan whose influence transcended generations.

But the spotlight wasn’t solely on McCartney tonight. Steven Tyler, the raspy-voiced leader of Aerosmith, was about to take center stage. With a medley of iconic songs from the Beatles’ Abbey Road album, Tyler was poised to deliver a powerful homage to the music that had soundtracked countless lives.

From the whimsical “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” to the poignant “Golden Slumbers” and the electrifying “Carry That Weight”, Tyler’s performance promised to be a fiery culmination of the evening’s festivities. But what truly captivated the audience was the effect it would have on McCartney himself.

Steven Tyler Rocks the House with Abbey Road Medley

The legendary Aerosmith frontman and then-American Idol newly-minted judge took the stage at the Kennedy Center Honors and tackled the daunting task of giving his own spin on the side Bs of the iconic Abbey Road. And tackle it he did, with a performance so electrifying it brought the entire house down.

The audience roared to their feet, and even the esteemed guests, Sir Paul McCartney himself and the one and only Oprah Winfrey, couldn’t resist singing along. Perhaps the most impressive aspect was Tyler’s vocal prowess. 

There he was, a rock and roll veteran pushing 62 at the time, having undoubtedly lived a life full of highs and lows. Yet, his voice retained its power and range, soaring through the medley with incredible ease. This display not only cemented his place as a rock icon but also underscored his qualifications as a judge of talent. After all, who better to recognize true vocal ability than someone who consistently delivers it himself?

Tyler Performing the Medley Was Macca’s Idea

Sir Paul McCartney, a living legend and musical god, is no stranger to accolades. His contributions to music, both as a member of the beloved Beatles and with his band Wings, have earned him countless awards and recognition.

 Just in late 2010 alone, his iconic song “Hey Jude” received a wave of covers from various artists, while Jack White delivered a powerful rendition of “Mother Nature’s Son”. The news of Tyler backing up the tribute has swirled around for a while. But The mastermind behind the hard rocker’s take? None other than Sir Paul himself.

In a pre-event interview with 95.9 WATD, Steven revealed a surprising twist. Apparently, the Beatle reached out directly, requesting a unique performance, that he got “called up by McCartney and he asked me to sing the last four songs of Abbey Road, so i said ‘umm ok,’ doing it. So I’m headed down to the Kennedy honors in Washington.””

A Night of Tributes and Surprises

The Kennedy Center Honors wasn’t just about Steven Tyler’s rockin’ medley. Show producer George Stevens Jr. added a surprising trivia note, revealing that The Beatles themselves never performed the Abbey Road medley live after recording it. This made Tyler’s performance even more special.

The evening continued with a heartwarming finale. James Taylor and Mavis Staples joined forces for renditions of “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude”, a powerful combination that had both Paul McCartney and President Obama on their feet throughout.

Other artists also paid tribute throughout the night. Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, Norah Jones, and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters all delivered their own takes on McCartney’s classics. Jennifer Hudson, a former American Idol contestant, also took a moment to honor Oprah Winfrey with a performance of “I’m Here” from the Winfrey-produced Broadway show The Color Purple.

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