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  McCartney Back In The U.S.S.R. 


05-26-03 antiGUY
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On Saturday, Paul McCartney was finally able to live the lyrics to his hit song from the 1968 Beatles �White Album,� when he played a sold out show in Moscow�s Red Square. Appropriately enough, McCartney ended the set with a rendition of �Back In The U.S.S.R.�. 

This was a lifelong dream for McCartney and the audience as well. Some 20,000 fans turned out for the concert. Ticket prices ranged from between $30 and $300. With a median monthly income of $140 in the former Soviet Union, getting McCartney was a big deal and according to press reports, fans got their money�s worth. 

McCartney had tried to perform in Russia in the 80�s before the fall of Communism but was told by Soviet officials that it would not be possible.  This time around McCartney not only got the ok from the now democratic government but was given the star treatment by the Russian government. 

President Vladimir Putin gave McCartney and his wife Heather Mills a tour of the Kremlin. McCartney in turn dedicated �Let It Be� to Putin during the concert. 

During a warm up before the concert, McCartney joked from the stage, �"It's a long way from Liverpool, isn't it." When it comes to topping this experience McCartney has his sights set skyward with the only venue that would be a bigger gig for the legendary musician, "Next stop, the moon." 

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