Portnoy described the emotional impact of witnessing the legendary Beatle perform a three-hour show at 80 years old. He drew connections to his lifelong connection with McCartney’s music.
“What a blast taking a quick 24 Hr trip to Chicago to see Paul McCartney with my best Beatle Buddy, Melody Portnoy, and my best Beatles Bros Chris Jericho and Charlie Benante,” Portnoy said. “It was mine and Melody’s 4th Paul show together (Phoenix ’10, Brooklyn ’13, Hershey PA ’16 and now Chicago ’25). It was mine and Chris’ 2nd (Phoenix ’10), but it was great to finally see a Beatle ‘All Together Now’ with Charlie and his family as well!”
Portnoy emphasized the remarkable nature of McCartney’s enduring performance ability. His own connection to the musician spans nearly six decades. “It’s truly surreal to see Paul still rocking a 3 hr show in his 80’s!! To think my journey with him began almost 60 years ago when I was in my mom’s womb when my mom and dad saw the Beatles at Shea Stadium in 1966…and now almost 60 years later, he’s still at it making new memories for so many generations of us Beatles fans!” he continued.
Portnoy highlighted several emotional moments from the performance, including tributes to John Lennon and George Harrison. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “You can’t help but wonder if this may be the last time getting seeing Paul Live at his age…so I have so much gratitude for times like these!” Portnoy concluded.
McCartney’s Chicago performances represent a significant milestone in his ongoing career. The legendary musician performed at the United Center on November 24 and 25, 2025. This marked his return to the venue after more than a decade. The shows attracted sold-out crowds with fans traveling across generations to witness the performance. Secondary market ticket prices ranged from $389 to $402 on resale platforms.
These Chicago performances concluded the final shows of McCartney’s Got Back Tour 2025 North American leg. The 2025 Got Back Tour marked McCartney’s first extensive series of shows across the US and Canada since 2022. It featured 19 newly announced dates throughout North America beginning on September 29, 2025, in Palm Desert, California.
McCartney delivered performances spanning six decades of his legendary career. These included iconic hits like “Help!”, “Hey Jude”, “Live and Let Die”, “Band on the Run”, and “Let It Be”. The November 24 concert delivered what attendees described as an unforgettable experience. The crowd sang in perfect harmony during performances, creating what many considered a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Before arriving in Chicago, McCartney played Hamilton, Ontario’s TD Coliseum on November 22, 2025. He continued his momentum through the final leg of the tour. At 83 years old, McCartney’s ability to sustain a three-hour performance demonstrates his remarkable endurance and commitment to his craft. This validates Portnoy’s sentiment about the significance of witnessing such performances at this stage of the musician’s life.
