In a heartwarming moment that left fans delighted, Sir Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance alongside his son, James McCartney, during a 2013 performance at London’s intimate Ambassadors Theatre. The concert was meant as a warm-up gig ahead of James’s highly anticipated U.S. tour, and already boasted a special guest: Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood, who had joined James on guitar for a song. But the night took an even more memorable turn when Paul himself unexpectedly stepped onto the stage, settling behind the piano to accompany his son and Wood for a rousing rendition of the track New York Times.
The audience was thrilled by the rare sight of the two McCartneys performing together, and the chemistry between father and son was palpable. After the performance, Paul returned to the crowd to enjoy the rest of the evening alongside his wife Nancy and daughters Stella and Mary, showing support not just as a legendary musician, but as a proud family man.
At the time, James, then 35 years old, was gearing up to release his debut full-length album titled Me. Speaking about the deeply personal project, James shared his vision: “For my first album, I wanted to create something that felt honest and revealing—something intimate that expressed who I really am, both musically and emotionally. I wanted to say, ‘This is me.’”
The father-son bond extends beyond live performances. Paul had also visited the studio during the making of Me, lending his experience and encouragement. The pair even shared a behind-the-scenes moment on social media, posting a photo of themselves at the mixing desk earlier that year. Their musical partnership isn’t new—James has previously contributed to some of his father’s albums, including 1997’s Flaming Pie and 2001’s Driving Rain.
With his album nearing release, James was set to hit the road for an ambitious 47-date tour across the United States, kicking off on April 6 in Portland, Oregon. As he stepped into the spotlight, backed by a rich musical legacy and a little help from his famous father, James McCartney was ready to carve out his own path.
