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You can learn a lot from a Beatle
“The problem with success is that too often it comes disguised in overalls and hard work” – Mark Twain
About 40 years ago the Hall family (Hallmark Cards) opened a luxury Hotel in Kansas City that was the talk of the town. Built on a rock formation, the urban gem had waterfalls and landscaping that gave a renewed ambiance to KC. I remember when they interviewed the general manager: They asked him his success secret. He said, “I started my career as a bellhop, and I never used the luggage cart…People like to see you earn your money” He’s right.
Last night, I went to Milwaukee to enjoy the Paul McCartney concert with my 27-year old son. It was my special Father’s Day gift from my boys. I was 15 years old when the Beatles came on the Ed Sullivan Show on February, 1964. Asking me if I am a Beatle fan is like asking me if I like my left hand. It is a part of me.
There we were…Miller Park, and the stadium roof was open. It was incredibly muggy and the temperature was over 90. There was no warm-up act. Sir Paul and his entourage walked on stage, and 43,000 cheered. He was wearing jeans, a cotton shirt, and a full length black sport coat. Being under the lights, his surrounding temperature had to be 10-15 degrees higher than what we were experiencing. He opened with gusto playing two songs that the whole crowd sang with him. We were in to it.
Paul didn’t just stand up there and sing. No, no. He played many different instruments and the played them well. It was also apparent that the ex-Beatle was well prepared. Let’s face it…when someone has prepared…it shows. For those of us who think we can ride our reputation and “wing it”, just who are we kidding? At 71, Paul McCartney sppears to be as popular as he ever was. Sir Paul is smart enough to know that he can’t ride on his reputation. He has to keep getting better.
This was my son’s second time at a McCartney concert. The last time was in ’02. He liked this one ever better.
Paul McCartney loves his fans by preparing to deliver his best. He also respects his audience and he wants to give them more than they have paid for. (And those tickets aren’t cheap). With a wave of his hand, he could have ordered the ceiling closed, and the AC on. He didn’t. Like the manager of Hall’s Crown Center, Paul has learned the secret: “People want to see you earn your money”. If Paul McCartney can keep “cranking it up a notch”, so can we.