Bill Drake may be a suit-wearing professional now, but it only takes two words — Paul McCartney — to take him back to his high school days in Denver.
That’s when the 39-year-old, who now lives in Arlington, met a girl who still holds a special place in his heart because she introduced him to the music of the Beatles and Paul McCartney.
“Before that, I didn’t listen to much music. I liked Duran Duran,” he said. “As soon as she gave me a mix top of the Beatles, I fell in love with Paul’s music and I started gradually building my collection. I liked it all, but I liked Paul most right away.”
Drake will be one of the thousands of fans who head to FedEx Field in Landover Saturday to see Sir Paul play the songs he made famous as one quarter of the Beatles, as well as during his time with his band Wings and as a solo performer.
“One of the nice things about Paul’s [music is that] every album is unique. He doesn’t have a formula,” said Drake.
McCartney’s genuine show of love for his music and the fans — as clearly seen in his performances and chatter with the audience — are what keep the faithful growing.
Yet Aaron Kayce, editor of JamBase.com said the Beatles are what gave McCartney the foundation to rise and stumble, as many believe he did in recording some of the sweeter, more poppy songs of his career such as “Ebony and Ivory,” and rebound.
“He is still very relevant,” said Kayce. “The Beatles’ impact is so monumental, he would have to be. I don’t know if that could be said if [his music was all done] independently. É When you’re more popular than Jesus [as John Lennon once said of the band] you can just keep going. ”
But musician Gunnar Nelson, twin brother of Matthew Nelson and son of the late Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Rick Nelson (who Rolling Stone lists as one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time), said what sets McCartney apart is that he never pushed for royal status.
“Here’s a guy who doesn’t have make sure he’s branded as ‘The King of Pop,’ ” said Nelson remarking on the term used for the late Michael Jackson. “He never had to. He just is. É There’s a different between being an artist and being an act. Paul is an artist. People just sense that.”
Musician Jann Klose, who discovered McCartney’s music while growing up in Germany and Africa, said the former Beatle’s artistry is obvious when you consider the longtime popularity of his music.
“The melodies É are so powerful and catching without being boring,” he said. “You just don’t forget them. É I think more than anything that’s what has staying power.
“The fact these songs were delivered by a great singer and musician only made it sweeter.”
