Aging Voices
A recent video on YouTube shows Sir Paul McCartney performing one of his Beatles' songs Help, which he apparently hasn’t played live since the 90s. And whether you're a fan or not, there's no doubt that his voice has deteriorated over the years. That’s not just subjective, it can be determined objectively. It’s simply much weaker than it was even a few years ago, and it won’t improve again. No wonder, of course; the man is 83.
One of the comments on the video stood out to me. It said:
Honestly - if you going to a McCartney show expecting him to sing like he was 23 - well you're stupid lol. You're going to SEE him - he's a wonder of the world.
That struck a chord with me. I’ve recently thought about going to a McCartney show if he tours Europe again, but I hesitated after watching videos where the decline in his voice stands out. But does that really matter? He’s the kind of artist you go see just to witness him, one last time. His songs are so well-known that the audience naturally becomes a choir, filling in the parts he can’t manage by himself anymore.
So what tips the balance? Being put off by a voice that’s no longer what it once was, or experiencing a living legend live?
I think I’ve made my decision.