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Paul McCartney Plays Mariachi-Version Of 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' At Free Concert To 200,000 People In Mexico City (VIDEO)

Posted: Updated: 05/15/2012 12:32 pm

Paul Mccartney

It's hard to believe Paul McCartney - the mariachi-singing ex-Beatle - is turning 70 years-old next month. After a three-hour performance in front of 200,000 people at Mexico City's historic central square, the Zócalo, the ex-Beatle proved that not only is he as talented as ever, but he is as eternally charming and energetic as one would expect from the former mop-topped demigod.

McCartney amped the crowd at the Zocalo by yelling "¡Viva Mexico, Cabrones!" -- a sure fire way to get the crowd up onto their feet -- and made sure to pepper Mexican slang into a few of the songs performed that night. For good measure, Sir Paul also waved the Mexican flag.

During the concert, McCartney was joined by a traditional Mexican mariachi band for the Beatles' classic, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, an evening highlight that will not be forgotten anytime soon by the masses in attendance.

Over 200,000 fans gathered at the Zócalo last Thursday night for the ex-Beatle's performance. The concert was part of his Latin America tour which also included stops in Uruguay, Colombia and other cities in Mexico.

Sir Paul McCartney performed in Mexico City back in 2010. Tickets to that concert sold out in minutes, making it the fastest-sold concert in the country’s history, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Following a performance two nights earlier, to 70,000 paying concert -goers at Azteca Stadium, the free event was sponsored by Mexico City's mayor's office. Prior to the big show, thousands of people camped outside the Zócalo in anticipation for the ex-Beatle's performance.

"It was quite emotional and exciting that people who might not be able to afford to come to our shows could come to this. It was like Beatlemania all over again," said McCartney according to Hello Magazine.

"When you visit places that you don't often come to, like South America, they've been saving up the excitement so when you get there they let it all go," he continued.

The performance landed on Mexico's Mother's Day and the ex-Beatle took the opportunity to congratulate all the Mexican mothers as well as his wife Nancy Shevell.

"This tune is precisely for all you mamacitas," he said in Spanish according to AFP.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated Paul McCartney first performed in Mexico City in 2010. The article has been updated to reflect that the 2010 performance was not McCartney's first show in Mexico City.

Check Out Photos Of Paul McCartney's Latin America Tour:

Loading Slideshow...
  • Montevideo

    Britain's musician Paul Mc Cartney performs at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, beginning his Latin American tour on April 15, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Pablo PORCIUNCULA (Photo credit should read PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Mexico City

    General view of concert of Sir Paul McCartney at the Zocalo Square in Mexico City, on May 10, 2012. The concert was free and the authorities accounted around 90,000 people. AFP PHOTO / Antonio Nava (Photo credit should read ANTONIO NAVA/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Colombian Fan

    A fan of Britain's musician Paul McCartney holds a banner of The Beatles at the Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin' stadium in Bogota, Colombia, during his Latin American tour on April 19, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GUILLERMO LEGARIA (Photo credit should read GUILLERMO LEGARIA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Bogota

    Britain's musician Paul McCartney performs at the Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin' stadium in Bogota, Colombia, during his Latin American tour on April 19, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GUILLERMO LEGARIA (Photo credit should read GUILLERMO LEGARIA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uruguayan Fan

    A member of Uruguyan Liverpool Football Club shows a club card made as gift for Britain's musician Paul Mc Cartney as honor member before his show at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on April 15, 2012. Mc Cartney performed at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, beginning his Latin American tour. AFP PHOTO/Pablo PORCIUNCULA (Photo credit should read PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Guadalajara

    A fan of Paul McCartney waits outside at the Omnilife Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico on May 05, 2012, before the presentation of 'On The Run' tour. AFP PHOTO / Hector Guerrero (Photo credit should read HECTOR GUERRERO/AFP/GettyImages)

  • On Stage

    Britain's musician Paul McCartney performs at the Nemesio Camacho 'El Campin' stadium in Bogota, Colombia, during his Latin American tour on April 19, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GUILLERMO LEGARIA (Photo credit should read GUILLERMO LEGARIA/AFP/Getty Images)

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JenniferWest
The Best is Yet to Come!
10:20 AM on 05/15/2012
If you get a chance to see Paul McCartney- DO IT! I paid a premium for good seats a couple years back in Boston, MA. It was worth every penny! He does not disappoint. He loves to perform, has a great band. And unlike some big names you pay to see.... He plays a good 2 1/2 hours. I cannot wait to take my 5 yr. old D to see Paul! And his new jazzy album with the old Standards is great too.
07:54 AM on 05/15/2012
He's a great old trooper in the grand British tradition -- he lives to perform, loves to give the folks their money's worth. His voice, though, sounds a little ragged and tired here. Perhaps he should cut back his schedule a little and rest his voice.
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kornbluthwasright
LOYAULTE ME LIE
01:59 AM on 05/15/2012
Almost as enjoyable as reading about his concerts--and of course, watching video snippets--is reading these comments. At the risk of sounding mired in cliche', I think there's a great vibe on this board. :-)

Maybe it helps that the object of our discussion is (by most accounts), in addition to being extremely talented, a genuinely nice guy. That combination of civility and genius doesn't seem to be getting any easier to find.
08:19 AM on 05/15/2012
Civility, genius -- yes. But also, he's a master of good old-fashioned showmanship. Speaking the native language, making local references, bringing out a mariachi band, even waving the Mexican flag! And then giving his audience three hours on a night when his voice was obviously tired -- and somehow getting through it in style. No one left feeling cheated, that's for sure.

Among the more under-appreciated aspects of the Beatles was their love and knowledge of old-time showbiz and its traditions. Even when they made fun of it, they did so with affection.

Of the four, Paul was the most unabashedly showbizzy. And it comes out most when he's on stage playing to an audience, giving them what they want, and using every trick in the showman's book to make them feel as though this night is as special to him as it is to them.

A little corny, I guess. But the customers still love it, and younger performers of all types of music can learn something from watching this great old trooper work a room.
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kornbluthwasright
LOYAULTE ME LIE
09:46 AM on 05/15/2012
You are absolutely correct, 3finger--excellent post! As an unrepentant admirer of "old-time" showbiz, I've always appreciated that aspect of the Beatles in general and Paul in particular.

Some of John's fans have sneered at Paul's love--and often deft use--of showbiz, claiming that this "proves" that John was a true artist, while Paul is a mere entertainer. Without wanting to go too far down that tree, I would just like to say that one individual can be both an artist and an entertainer...and Sir Paul definitely qualifies as both.
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12:09 AM on 05/15/2012
Sir Paul...you never cease to amaze...and for that I am grateful. What wonderful brightness in a world that can be so dark. Thank you for such a treat!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
max
12:04 AM on 05/15/2012
Beatles still the best
11:17 PM on 05/14/2012
Hey, the Beatles weren't all "peace" and "love". To wit:

"You know that I'm a wicked man and I was born with jealous mind"

"I'd rather see you dead little girl, than to be with another man"

"Run for your life if you can little girl. Hide your head in the sand little girl. Catch you with another man, that's the end, little girl".

Paul McCartney, John Lennon ... "Run For Your Life" on the "Rubber Soul" album, 1965.

Pretty scary, huh?
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GreshamGuy
The plural of "anecdote" is not "evidence"
12:57 AM on 05/15/2012
Are you serious - the song's been around for over 40 years and you JUST NOW figured out the lyrics?

Try Shelley Fabare's "Johnny Get Angry" from just a couple of years earlier - sung from a young woman's viewpoint, begging her boyfriend to get strict with her, or the Stones' "Under My Thumb".. Coming out of the fifties into the sixties was a pretty confusing time in male-female relationships as stereotypes began to fall. You can find all sorts of examples of what appear to modern ears to be misogyny and calls inviting abuse in the name of love. The Beatles didn't invent it and they did an awful lot to end it.
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Fran Jaime
Yo Soy 132!
03:20 AM on 05/15/2012
I suggest you listen to Lennon's solo albums, You might learn something about he evolved.
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zelda777
transcend the B. S.
11:01 PM on 05/14/2012
The Beatles have always been very popular in Mexico - and the world over - because of their greatly inspired melodic singing and consistently inventive songs. Music has such power to move people. Great music can change peoples' hearts and minds and change the world.

Viva Paul! Viva Mexico!

Paz y Amor, Hermanos y hermanas!!
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Fran Jaime
Yo Soy 132!
03:22 AM on 05/15/2012
Gracias! Mexico still has an exclusively Beatles music radio show every day. It's been on for about 40 years!
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M Rosin
09:13 AM on 05/15/2012
I would love a radio station devoted to the Beatles' music (and to their solo work). Instead I get to listen to the same 5 songs (Goyte, Adele ad nauseum) on seemingly every station. It's why no one listens to the radio anymore.
10:57 PM on 05/14/2012
I'd love to hear "Run For Your Life" off the Rubber Soul album done with a mariachi band.
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clonemastr
Blinded Me with Science!!
10:54 PM on 05/14/2012
Sir Paul is just too cool!!
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plasmaorb
The GOP cant afford Common Sense
10:21 PM on 05/14/2012
He cant even sing anymore.. his voice is cracking and out of key.... he only sound strong cause of the backup singers... John was the more talented one... Paul just jumped the shark in the 80s with a lot of cheezy songs and hasnt recovered since then
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tarj
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole
11:31 PM on 05/14/2012
That's needlessly harsh. John was always my favorite too, but Paul has done some brilliant work since the Beatles, even into the 90s. John hit some pretty low creative valleys as well - listened to "Sometime In New York" recently?
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Apollo C Vermouth
I come, I listen, maybe I'm amazed.
12:04 AM on 05/15/2012
Why do you hate love?
Mark from atlanta
Unity through Diversity.
10:03 PM on 05/14/2012
Paul - a true believer.
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mpstar
09:53 PM on 05/14/2012
awesome Paul,,,ur still great........amd always be a inpiration to all Peace
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simian sez
Hands on your heads!
09:52 PM on 05/14/2012
...and a splendid time was had by all!
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SkeeBee
Offending InFoxtrination Sufferers With Facts.
09:44 PM on 05/14/2012
Despite all it's struggles and problems, THIS makes me wish I lived in Mexico!
10:51 PM on 05/14/2012
Until you read about the cartels dumping 49 mutilated, dismembered bodies in Monterrey.
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SkeeBee
Offending InFoxtrination Sufferers With Facts.
01:13 AM on 05/15/2012
Killjoy much?
Anyhoo:
If the Mexicans could afford to build a 40 foot high wall to keep all the criminals from the US from shipping guns into their country, in a tidal wave, they might be a lot better off too.
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Fran Jaime
Yo Soy 132!
03:25 AM on 05/15/2012
Mexico City is actually fine! We have great concerts for any and all musical tastes. There have been other concerts in the Zocalo: Meatloaf, Santana, Britney Spears...that I remember. All free and all peaceful! This was by FAR the largest and the best thing was how happy and peaceful people were.
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SkeeBee
Offending InFoxtrination Sufferers With Facts.
03:12 PM on 05/15/2012
No doubts.
I'm sure if their populace wasn't exploited by first world nations for cheap about, (coffcoffamericacoff), and wasn't parked next to a nation that had a MASSIVE appetite for illegal drugs and was supplying guns to the drug cartels, (coffcofffamericaagaincoffhackcoff), I'm sure it would be paradise.
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Crisdean Wulver
We've got our priorities screwed up.
09:31 PM on 05/14/2012
John would be turning 72 this December.

What a waste of a life.
10:06 PM on 05/14/2012
I have to disagree on the "wast of a life" part. His life was tragically cut short but just imagine the gift of music and message he could have given if he was still around.
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Crisdean Wulver
We've got our priorities screwed up.
10:37 PM on 05/14/2012
I was referring to the part of his life that was stolen from him by the guy who killed him.
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libwingoflibwing
Leftist, Christian, Non-Violent Revolutionary
10:43 PM on 05/14/2012
I think that's exactly what Crisdean Wulver meant?